Ghanaian customs requires a detailed itemised packing list with declared values. Ghana Must Go woven bags are accepted but not recommended — they offer limited protection and may be excluded from insurance. Local destination charges apply at Accra airport.
✈ Air freight to Ghana: 4-9 working days, subject to space and flight availability with the carriers from UK door collection • ⚓ Sea freight: 4-6 weeks via Tema • Price confirmed before we collect • Freephone 0800 096 38 39
These items are not automatically refused but face restrictions, duties, inspections or require specific documentation. Check before you pack.
Second-hand clothing is subject to restrictions and duties at Tema port and Accra airport.
Many food products are restricted. Fresh produce, meat and dairy face significant restrictions.
Must be approved by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA Ghana). Controlled substances require documentation.
Require phytosanitary certificates from Plant Protection and Regulatory Services.
Subject to duties and must meet Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) requirements.
Import and export of Ghanaian Cedi is restricted. Foreign currency must be declared.
Subject to import duties and excise. Commercial quantities require import licence.
Subject to duties. Commercial quantities require import licence.
The following items are prohibited on all services — air freight, sea freight and door-to-door (subject to your destination). Do not pack them. Items found during inspection will be confiscated, and you may face penalties.
Customs clearance at destination is your responsibility as sender — who must also be the receiver for personal effects classification. Have these documents ready before we collect.
If customs or inspection issues arise at the destination — including holds, queries or inspections — you must respond promptly. Failure to respond, or submission of incorrect documentation, will result in storage charges accumulating at the destination warehouse at your cost.
You are liable for storage, inspection fees and any duties that arise where:
If you are unsure about any item, its declared value, or the documentation required for your destination — call us before you pack. We would rather spend ten minutes on the phone with you than have your shipment held at customs for two weeks while fees accumulate.
After more than two decades on this route, we know exactly what causes shipments to be held, delayed or refused at Ghana customs. These are the practical tips that make the difference.
Ghana Must Go bags are accepted but not recommended. Use double-walled cardboard boxes or hard shell cases.
Plastic bags are banned in Ghana — do not use plastic bags as internal packaging.
Declare everything accurately. Ghana customs inspectors assess items and can impose duties.
Destination charges at Accra airport are not included in your UK quote — confirm the current rate when you book.
Sea freight via Tema port takes 4-6 weeks — a good option for larger, heavier shipments. These sea transit times are approximate — the actual time depends on when your LCL container finishes loading and consolidating, the vessel’s sailing date and route, any transhipment hub before the final destination, and customs clearance, so please allow a week or two either side.
“We collect your luggage ourselves. We check it is properly packed, wrapped and secured before it leaves your door. After 28 years we know what arrives safely and what doesn’t. That happens before the bag is in the air — not after.”
Your UK shipping quote does not include the following destination charges. These are levied by governing bodies and government agencies at the arrival country and are payable by you directly at destination:
These charges are mandatory, set by the destination country’s governing bodies, and outside our control. We will advise you of known destination charges for your route at the time of booking so you can budget accordingly. If you have questions about what to expect at your destination, call us on 0800 096 38 39 before you book.