AfricaShipping Heavy Equipment to Ghana
Ghana's growing mining sector, oil & gas industry, and infrastructure development make it a key destination for heavy equipment in West Africa. The Port of Tema provides efficient access to this stable market.
Main Ports
- Port of Tema
- Port of Takoradi
Shipping Methods
- RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off)
- Flat Rack Container
- Breakbulk
Key Regulations
- Ghana Standards Authority (GSA)
- Destination Inspection Scheme
- Import License
Common Cargo
- Mining Equipment
- Oil & Gas Equipment
- Construction Machinery
Main Ports in Ghana
Port of Tema
Major Seaport
Port of Takoradi
Industrial Port
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Ghana
| From (US Port) | To | Service | Est. Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Savannah, GA | Tema | Container / RoRo | 18–28 days |
| Houston, TX | Tema / Takoradi | Breakbulk / Container | 20–32 days |
Transit times are indicative port-to-port estimates and vary by carrier, season, and sailing schedule.
U.S. Departure Ports for Shipping to Ghana
We ship to Ghana (Port of Tema) from every major U.S. port. Typical ocean transit is 20-28 days.
Gulf Coast
East Coast
Import Duty, VAT & Taxes for Ghana
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.
- Import Duty
- 5–20% of CIF by engine size (ECOWAS CET)
- VAT / Sales Tax
- 15% (on the duty-inclusive value)
- Other Taxes & Fees
- 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)
Source: Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) / ICUMS · Last verified: June 2026
Used Vehicle & Equipment 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.
Source: Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) · Last verified: June 2026
Import Regulations & Requirements
Ghana Standards Authority (GSA)
Equipment must meet Ghanaian standards. Conformity assessment may be required.
Destination Inspection Scheme
Pre-shipment inspection requirements apply to certain categories of goods.
Import License
Commercial imports require registration with the Registrar General and import licensing.
Required Documentation
Customs & Clearance Notes for Ghana
What makes Ghana tricky
- 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.
- 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.
Seasonality & Scheduling
Tema is a busy regional hub; year-end and pre-season peaks can lengthen clearance — pre-clear where possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan your shipment to Ghana
Ready to Ship to Ghana?
Get expert logistics support for your shipment to Ghana. We handle customs, documentation, and delivery coordination.