Shipping Heavy Equipment to Ghana

The four ways to ship machinery to Ghana

Container, flat rack, RoRo and breakbulk, with where each one lands. RoRo availability is by U.S. coast; the other three are booked on the services that run when the cargo is ready.

Published sailings to Ghana

One carrier service in our trade lane guides calls in Ghana. Each row links to the carrier schedule it was read from; transit is from the U.S. load port to the port named.

What the U.S. ships to Ghana

U.S. exports to Ghana by machine class, 2025 against 2024, as reported by the United States to UN Comtrade^[1]. Units are as declared; the average is customs value divided by units.

A dash means the quantity was not reported for that year. Classes the U.S. did not ship here in either year are left out.

Import duty on machinery in Ghana

The most-favoured-nation (MFN) duty applied to each machine class, as a simple average of the national tariff lines under its HS subheading^[3]. Preferential rates under trade agreements can be lower.

The range shows the lowest and highest line within the subheading; a dash means every line has the same rate.

Worked example: a $100,000 excavator

Import duty: 5% of $100,000 CIF is $5,000 (HS 8429.52, 2023 tariff)^[3].

VAT: 15% of the duty-inclusive $105,000 is $15,750 (Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), checked June 2026)

Total duty and tax: $20,750, or 21% of CIF.

• Excise, port charges, broker fees and any registration tax are extra. The final rate depends on the exact tariff line your broker declares.

Vehicles and other taxes

Ghana clears vehicles through ICUMS, applying ECOWAS CET duty by engine band plus VAT and statutory levies. Vehicles over 10 years old (by manufacture year) are not banned but carry a graduated overage penalty on CIF.

Source: Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) / ICUMS, checked June 2026.

• Import duty: 5–20% of CIF by engine size (ECOWAS CET)
• VAT: 15% (on the duty-inclusive value)
• Other charges: NHIL 2.5%, GETFund 2.5%, ECOWAS levy 0.5%, examination fee ~1%, plus overage penalty on CIF: 5% (10–12 yrs), 20% (12–15), 50% (15–25), 70% (25–35), 100% (over 35)
• Age limits: No hard age ban for cars, but vehicles over 10 years from manufacture trigger graduated overage penalties (up to 100% of CIF). Agricultural tractors and certain special-purpose vehicles are exempt from the overage penalty.

Rules for used machinery in Ghana

Since 1 July 2026, GSA's EasyPass programme requires a pre-shipment Certificate of Conformity for goods in HS 84 and 87, including used goods not on the prohibited list. Destination inspection is no longer allowed. Right-hand-drive motor vehicles need ministerial approval.

• Conformity: Ghana Standards Authority EasyPass (notice of 18 May 2026, mandatory for shipments from 1 July 2026): goods in HS chapters 84, 85 and 87 need a pre-shipment Certificate of Conformity. Used goods are covered unless on the prohibited list.^[4]
• Inspection: EasyPass assessment combines documentary review, physical inspection and control testing in an ISO 17025 lab when conformity documents are lacking. Destination inspection is not allowed. Route A fee: 0.55% of FOB, minimum $350, paid by the exporter.^[4]
• Documents: Exporter files an EasyPass Request for Certificate with the final invoice (pro forma accepted at application), conformity documents such as test reports or quality certificates, and the manufacturer's management-system certificate if available. Markings must be in English.^[4]
• Licence or permit: Customs Act 2015 (Act 891): importing a right-hand-steering motor vehicle is prohibited unless the Minister approves. Prohibited vehicles are seized and forfeited, and vehicles not cleared within 60 days of discharge are forfeited.^[5]
• Documents: Importer needs Registrar General registration, a Ministry of Trade Import Declaration Form, GSA importer registration for regulated products, and a GRA Tax Clearance Certificate. The Bill of Entry and customs declaration are filed in ICUMS.^[6]

Documents for Ghana

The papers a machinery shipment to Ghana usually needs at destination. Your consignee and their customs broker confirm the list for the exact cargo.

• Commercial Invoice
• Packing List
• Bill of Lading
• Certificate of Origin
• Import Declaration Form (IDF)
• Final Classification and Valuation Report
• Equipment Specifications

U.S. export rules

What every shipment from the U.S. has to clear before it sails, whatever the destination.

Electronic Export Information (15 CFR 30)U.S. Census Bureau

Electronic Export Information is filed in AES for each Schedule B number worth more than $2,500 going to one consignee on one conveyance, and for every vehicle whatever its value. For vessel cargo it is due at least 24 hours before loading; the Internal Transaction Number (ITN) goes to the carrier with the booking.^[7][8]

Applies to: Any Schedule B line over $2,500, and every vehicle

Used self-propelled vehicles: 72-hour ruleU.S. Customs and Border Protection

U.S. regulations count self-propelled construction and agricultural machinery as vehicles. A used one must be filed in AES at least 72 hours before export, whatever its value or destination, and the ITN, the VIN or serial number and the ownership documents go to CBP at the port of export. Filing after departure is not allowed.^[9][10][8]

Applies to: Used machines that drive: excavators, loaders, dozers, tractors, trucks

ISPM 15 wood packagingIPPC, administered in the U.S. by USDA APHIS

Wood packaging and dunnage must be heat-treated to a core temperature of 56 °C for at least 30 minutes, or fumigated, and carry the IPPC mark with the US country code, the facility number and HT or MB. Marked wood can be reused; repaired or remanufactured wood must be treated and marked again.^[11]

Applies to: Crates, skids, blocking and dunnage

Export classification under the EAR (ECCN or EAR99)BIS (U.S. Department of Commerce)

An item subject to the EAR is either listed on the Commerce Control List under an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) or classified EAR99, the basket for items not listed. The ECCN’s reasons for control, read against the Commerce Country Chart, decide whether the destination needs a license. An EAR99 item rarely needs one, but no item, EAR99 included, may go to a person under a denial order or to a prohibited end use or end user without BIS authorization.^[12][13][14]

Applies to: Every export of goods subject to the Export Administration Regulations

Clearance notes for Ghana

Tema is a busy regional hub; year-end and pre-season peaks can lengthen clearance — pre-clear where possible.

• Clearance runs through ICUMS; duty can be paid before arrival once you hold the title and bill of lading.
• GRA depreciates the original manufacturer price (up to ~50%) to derive the CIF base — valuation is not your invoice.
• Overage penalties escalate fast beyond 12 years and can equal or exceed the vehicle value.
• Tema port processes high vehicle volumes; document readiness avoids demurrage.

Questions buyers ask

Export checklist (PDF)

A one-page checklist with the facts on this page for shipping Ghana: methods, duty, rules and documents. Give it to your customs broker.

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