Shipping to Ghana from the US: Barrels, Boxes, Cars and More
How to ship barrels, boxes, appliances, furniture and vehicles from the US to Ghana: how it works, how long it takes, what affects the cost, what you can and can't send, customs, and collecting your goods.
Most people ship to Ghana through a shipper (consolidator) that sends a shared container from the US. You drop off your goods or book a pickup: barrels, boxes, appliances, furniture, even a car. The shipper loads them into a container bound for Tema, near Accra, and your recipient collects them, or has them delivered, after clearance by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division. Plan on roughly 6 to 10 weeks from drop-off to collection, sometimes longer. Budget for the shipping price plus any duty and charges in Ghana.
- Shipping to Ghana takes longer than to the Caribbean. Plan ahead, especially for Christmas and family events.
- Your recipient will usually need a Ghana Card to clear goods.
- Make a packing list with quantities and values for everything you send; customs uses it.
- Vehicles face extra rules on age and condition. Check before you buy or ship.
What you can ship to Ghana
Shippers to Ghana handle much more than barrels. Common shipments include:
| What | How it usually ships | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Barrels and drums | In a shared container | The most affordable way to send food, toiletries, clothes and household goods. |
| Boxes and totes | In a shared container | Good for odd-shaped or lighter items. Priced by size. |
| Appliances and electronics | In a shared container | Fridges, freezers, stoves, generators, TVs. Usually quoted per item. |
| Furniture | In a shared container | Quoted by size. Wrap and protect it. |
| Cars and other vehicles | In a container or on a vehicle (ro-ro) ship | Needs export documents in the US and must meet Ghana's import rules. |
| A whole household | In your own full container | Best for moving home or large shipments. |
| Small or urgent items | Air cargo or courier | Fastest, but costs much more per pound. |
How shipping to Ghana works
- Choose a shipper and ask for their next sailing and cutoff date.
- Get a quote for what you're sending. Barrels and boxes usually have set prices; larger items are quoted separately.
- Pack your goods and make a packing list.
- Drop off or book a pickup. You get a receipt. Keep it, along with the booking or tracking code.
- The shipper loads a container with many customers' goods and sends it to Ghana.
- The container arrives at Tema (or sometimes Takoradi) and goes through customs.
- Your recipient collects the goods from the shipper's agent, or they are delivered if you paid for delivery.
Where shipments to Ghana arrive
Most containers to Ghana arrive at Tema, the country's main port near Accra. Some go to Takoradi in the Western Region. Many shippers have a warehouse or agent in the Accra and Tema area, and deliver to other cities such as Kumasi, Takoradi and Cape Coast.
Ask your shipper where your recipient can collect and whether they deliver to your recipient's city.
How long does it take?
Plan on roughly 6 to 10 weeks from drop-off to collection in Ghana. The time adds up from:
- Waiting for the container to fill and sail. Most shippers sail on a schedule, weekly to monthly.
- The ocean voyage. The crossing from the US East Coast to West Africa takes several weeks, and some services stop at transshipment ports on the way.
- Unloading and customs clearance in Ghana. This can take from several days to a few weeks, depending on what is in the container and how busy the port is.
- Collection or delivery to your recipient.
How much does it cost?
Prices vary by shipper, city and what you send, so get two or three quotes. These things affect what you pay:
| Factor | What to ask |
|---|---|
| What you are sending | What is the price per barrel or box size? How do you price appliances, furniture or a vehicle? |
| Where you are in the US | Is there a pickup charge, or do I drop off? |
| Collection or delivery in Ghana | Where can my recipient collect? What does delivery to my recipient's city cost? |
| Charges in Ghana | Are port, handling or clearance fees included, or paid by my recipient? |
| Customs duty and taxes | Does your price include any duty, or will my recipient pay it? |
| Insurance | Are my goods insured? What is covered and up to how much? |
The cheapest quote isn't always the cheapest in the end. Check what your recipient will be asked to pay when the goods arrive.
What you can't send
- Firearms, ammunition, fireworks or explosives.
- Illegal drugs.
- Flammable liquids, gas cylinders, lighter fluid or paint thinners. Many shippers also refuse aerosols.
- Cash, jewellery or other valuables.
- Fresh, frozen or perishable food, meat, plants or seeds (agricultural items usually need permits).
- Counterfeit goods.
Your shipper's list may be stricter than this, and some items need permits or licences. When in doubt, ask your shipper or check with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division.
Packing tips
Barrels and boxes
- Use a sturdy barrel with a locking lid, or strong boxes taped on every seam.
- Put heavy items at the bottom and fill gaps with clothes or towels so nothing shifts.
- Double-bag liquids and anything that could leak.
- Don't overfill: ask your shipper if there is a weight limit.
Appliances, electronics and furniture
- Empty, clean and dry appliances, and tape doors shut.
- Drain fuel from generators and other engines before drop-off. Most shippers won't accept them with fuel inside.
- Wrap items in blankets or bubble wrap, and crate fragile pieces if your shipper recommends it.
- Photograph items and note serial numbers before drop-off.
Everything you send
- Write a packing list with each item, the quantity and its value, and keep a copy.
- Label everything with the recipient's full name, address and phone number, and yours.
- Keep receipts for new items. They help with customs.
Shipping a car or other vehicle
Vehicles need more planning than other goods:
- In the US: US Customs and Border Protection requires the vehicle's title and export documents to be presented at the port before export, generally at least 72 hours ahead. Your shipper will tell you what they need, usually the original title and the bill of sale.
- In Ghana: older vehicles face higher duties and penalties, and salvaged or accident-damaged vehicles are restricted. Duties on vehicles can be high.
- How it ships: in a container (sometimes with other goods) or on a roll-on/roll-off (ro-ro) vessel. Ask your shipper which they use and what is included.
Ghana customs: duty and clearance
Goods are cleared by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division. Duty, VAT and other levies may apply depending on what you send and its value.
- Declare contents honestly. Undervalued or undeclared items can lead to penalties and delays.
- Your recipient will usually need a Ghana Card (national ID) or other accepted ID to clear goods.
- Returning residents may qualify for concessions on personal and household effects. Ask your shipper or a clearing agent.
- Some recipients use a customs broker or clearing agent, or the shipper's agent handles clearance for a fee.
Rules change, so check with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division (gra.gov.gh) or ask your shipper what their customers need for clearance.
Collecting your goods in Ghana
When the goods are ready, the shipper or their agent will contact your recipient. They will usually need:
- A Ghana Card or other accepted ID.
- Your receipt, booking code or bill of lading number.
- Payment for any local charges or duty that weren't included.
Bring suitable transport for large items such as appliances and furniture, or pay for delivery. If you paid for delivery, the agent arranges a time to bring the goods to the address on the label. Delivery outside Accra and Tema may cost more and take longer.
Tracking your shipment
Ask your shipper for a booking or tracking code when you drop off. If your shipper uses ShipBackHome, you can track your shipment with that code. No account is needed.
How to choose a shipper
- How long have they shipped to Ghana, and what do reviews and people you know say?
- Do they handle what you are sending, such as appliances, furniture or vehicles?
- Do they give a clear price, including what your recipient pays in Ghana?
- Do they give a written receipt and a booking or tracking code?
- Do they publish a sailing schedule and keep customers updated?
- Do they have a reliable agent in Ghana, and do they deliver to your recipient's area?
- Is insurance available for valuable goods?
Frequently asked questions
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