Ghana - Import Information and Process

Ghana Import Process For Personal Effects.

This is the fourth in a series covering import/export requirements in Africa with detailed step by step description of the import process. 

All information courtesy of AGS Frasers.

CUSTOMS CLEARANCE / TIMEFRAME:

                          §   Sea shipments        à 7 to 12 working days*

                          §   Air shipments          à 5 to 7 working days*

     *providing all requested documents have been submitted to AGS Frasers Ghana

DOCUMENTATION:

Ghanaian Returning Citizen

                          §   Original passport

                          §   Self-introduction letter (to be signed in blue ink)

                          §   Tax Identification number

                          §   PUBD (personal unaccompanied baggage declaration) to be filled in at airport 

                of arrival.

                Failure to do so will attract penalties and delays in clearance.

  

                AGS can provide this document (extra fees applicable).

Expatriate

                          §   Detailed packing list (typed, showing if personal effects used or new) 

                + valued inventory

                          §   Valid passport (needed during the whole clearing process)

                          §   Work/resident permit

                          §   Original rated Bill of Lading (express release accepted) / AWB

                          §   Introduction letter from the employer stating that the client is returning/starting 

                a new contract in Ghana. It has to be signed in blue ink.

                          §   PUBD form

                          §   Invoices for all new items bought less than 6 months before the shipment’s arrival

                          §   Individual Tax Identification Number (available at the internal revenue office 

                 in Accra or AGS can provide this document)

Diplomat

                          § Copy of valid diplomatic passport

                          §   Copy of Bill of Lading + valued inventory (in advance to enable the embassy or 

                exempted organization to apply to exemption of duties to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

                          §   Certificate of exemption + letter of value

                          §   The diplomat must be in the country for the exemption process to start (2 to 5 weeks)

Step 1 1 to 3 days	Container is offloaded and transferred to clearing terminal
Step 2 1 to 2 days	Valuation and/or car assessment
Step 3 2 days	Documents are presented to Customs for approval
Step 4 1 to 2 days	Payment of the shipping line local fees and terminal fees
Step 5 1 day	Inspection (diplomatic shipments are not inspected)
Step 6 1 to 2 days	The shipment is released and can leave the port/ready for delivery

IMPORTANT §  Importation of vehicles: please check with our office §  It is forbidden to import used freezers / fridges / air conditioners (expatriates and returning citizens only) §  The following taxes must be paid for all non-diplomatic shipments: Custom fees (1% CIF value) / Ecowas Levy (0.5% CIF value) / Development levy (0.5% CIF value) Time-frame for export shipments from Accra: Sea shipments  à 10–12 working days Air shipments    à 5–6 working days                           AGS FRASERS GHANA §  Established in 1996 §  1,200m2 storage capacity §  14 fully owned vehicles §  42 staff members for service in English, French and Spanish Our Services §  Customised solutions for local, national, office and international moves §  Packing and crating services §  Export and import customs clearance §  Short- and long-term storage §  Comprehensive relocation services