Ghana was once known as the Gold Coast of Africa. Occupied for centuries by many European powers, Britain eventually gained control of this valuable land.
So, while English is the official language of Ghana, the country remains home to a diverse collection of 10 significant ethnicities and languages.
Today's Ghana continues to be rich in resources (including Lake Volta, the world's largest water reservoir), but it also has a buoyant economy and a rapidly increasing population. The result is that e-commerce is predicted to grow at 13% per annum from 2021 till 2025.
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Ghana through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to Ghana. In case you are an everyday shopper or a business,
you can easily save up to 50% on your international shipping costs by way of accessing our group buying power.
Shipments through Secureship come with full, easy to read tracking information to Ghana
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Jun 2, 2023
8:49 am
Sekondi, SE, GH
Delivered
Jun 1, 2023
7:18 am
Tamale, TA, GH
In transit
May 31, 2023
9:03 pm
Kumasi, KU, GH
International Clearance
May 31, 2023
8:14 am
Accra, AC, GH
In transit
May 31, 2023
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
May 30, 2023
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
Disclaimer!
While we have made every effort to ensure that the information on this page is accurate, Customs laws and procedures change regularly so it is
important to consult a licensed broker in Ghana before shipping any goods.
Types of Shipments
Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will require different
paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
Ghana allows the following items to enter the country as document shipments from Canada. (Note: Any item that is destined for resale does qualify as a document.)
Annual reports
Bids and proposals
Blueprints and drawings
Cash letters
Computer print-outs
Credit cards
Diplomas
Examination papers
Intercompany mail
Negotiable bonds and drafts
Passports
Price lists
Seismic data
Sepia drawings
Traveller's cheques
Visa applications
Certain items, as shown in the table below, may enter Ghana as a document shipment if they abide by the stated restriction.
Document Type
Restriction
Forms
Providing they are blank
Photographs
A maximum of 2 and only if they are to be included in a business report
Publications
Only if they are for use within a company and are not to be sold
A gift shipped to Ghana from Canada will incur duty and taxes regardless of its value
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
A gift shipment from an individual in Canada to an individual in Ghana will be taxable and dutiable. There are no threshold values below which no duty or taxes are incurred.
Shipments from Business-to-Business
A business in Canada cannot ship a gift to a business in Ghana without duty and taxes being charged.
Shipments from Business-to-Individual
A gift shipment from a business in Canada to an individual in Ghana will be liable to duty and taxes no matter its value.
Gift Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
The words 'Gift Shipment' or 'Unsolicited Gift' are included on the commercial invoice, even if the shipment is sent at Christmas time
(see sample)
List the items in the parcel and write the value of each
Sending more than one gift in the parcel? Wrap and tag each one individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Kofi Annan PMB CT 210 Cantonments, Accra Ghana
Phone: +233 (0)302 718 200
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal Shipment / Gift Shipment
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift Shipment: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$79.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $79.99
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Multiple Gifts in One Shipment
A parcel containing multiple gifts should have each gift wrapped and labelled separately.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Kofi Annan PMB CT 210 Cantonments, Accra Ghana
Phone: +233 (0)302 718 200
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Unsolicited Gift: Consolidated Gift Package
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift - Roger: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$39.99
1 Each
Gift - Erica: Handwoven French Canadian Catalogne Blanket
CA
$49.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $89.98
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Canadian citizens who have lived in Canada for a minimum of 12 continuous months may ship their personal effects to Ghana exempt from duty and taxes.
The exemption applies to the individual and his or her family.
Moving Temporarily
Students
For students moving temporarily to Ghana, there is no information at this time regarding the rules governing the shipment of their personal effects.
Non-Students
Canadian citizens may ship their personal effects to Ghana exempt from taxes and duty providing they have lived in Canada for at least 12 continuous months.
The exemption will cover the household and personal items of the individual and his or her family.
Moving Permanently
Citizens of Ghana who are returning to the country to live permanently may import their personal effects tax free if they have lived in Canada for 12 or more continuous months.
Items that are entitled to a tax free entry to Ghana include:
Household appliances
Clothing and footwear
Furniture and decorations
Provisions of foodstuffs in quantities suitable to the household size
Tools and equipment required to practice a trade or profession
NOTE:
Firearms and ammunition are not permitted in shipments of personal effects.
For Ghanians who die outside of Ghana, their personal effects may be shipped to Ghana exempt from duty and taxes with the appropriate paperwork.
Personal Effects Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' (see sample)
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Commercial Sample - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Commercial Sample - Advanced reading copy of Dan Brown's novel.
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Commercial Sample Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Advertising Material
Advertising material may be shipped to Ghana from Canada exempt from duty. This includes equipment, goods, and exhibits destined for a trade fair or similar event.
Advertising material may also include printed items such as:
Posters
Drawings
Engravings and etchings
NOTE: Any item that is sold or transferred whilst in Ghana will incur full duty charges.
Advertising Material Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Promotional Material - Not for Resale' (see sample)
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Ship To
Invoice
Kofi Annan PMB CT 210 Cantonments, Accra Ghana
Phone: +233 (0)302 718 200
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.
CA
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Promotional Material Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Repairs
Equipment that has been shipped to Canada for repair may re-enter Ghana duty-free providing the repairs were done under warranty for no charge.
Items Under Warranty
If a piece of equipment is shipped to Canada for a warranty repair, it may be returned to Ghana without incurring duty. The only condition is that the repairs were done without charge.
Items No Longer Under Warranty
Items no longer under warranty that is shipped to Canada will incur duty charges when it re-enters Ghana.
Sending Product for Repair to Ghana
There is no information at this time regarding equipment shipped to Ghana from Canada for repair.
Returning Repaired Product to Ghana
When equipment is repaired in Canada at no charge and under warranty, it will be exempt from duty upon returning to Ghana.
Repair Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'REPAIR & RETURN' under the General Description or Remarks, and include the estimated time of return
(see sample)
Include repair contract with shipment
Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under the Detailed Description of Goods section
Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the item was first exported to Ghana or exported to Canada (depending on which case applies)
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00
US
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Warranty Repair Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Temporary Imports
Goods imported temporarily into Ghana from Canada will be exempt from duty providing:
The items are not prohibited from importation
They are returned to Canada within 3 months of their entry; and
A refundable deposit or security in the amount of the duty owed is supplied
NOTE: The time period may be extended beyond the 3-month limit with the authorisation from the appropriate officials if it can be shown that the goods are the legal property of an individual who is on a temporary visit to Ghana.
ATA Carnets
At this time, Ghana does not accept ATA Carnets for temporary imports.
Temporary Imports Checklist
Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods.
(see sample)
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
Stay no longer than the period listed above
Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received within the country (whichever applies)
Any above listed items not listed in this checklist
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment returning Jan 2020
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 box
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment
CA
$1032.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Temporary Imports Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1032.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Permanent/Sold Goods
Shipments of sold goods to Ghana - whether for private use or to be sold on the open market - will incur duty and taxes regardless of their value.
There are no threshold values below which a shipment is duty or tax free.
Occasional Shipper
Even if you only occasionally ship sold goods to Ghana from Canada, all shipments will incur duty and taxes regardless of their value.
Regular Shipper
If you regularly ship goods to be sold in Ghana, we recommend that you consult a licenced Ghanaian shipping broker.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Kofi Annan PMB CT 210 Cantonments, Accra Ghana
Phone: +233 (0)302 718 200
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 30 May 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
15 Each
Camera Lenses: Canon EF 50mm, Canon EF 85mm & wide-angle lenses.
CA
$132.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent/Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1980.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Required Documents
Shipping packages internationally requires a lot of documentation. This process alone can be confusing and time-consuming.
So we’ve narrowed down what documents you might need and ranked them based on likeliness of being needed.
Document Type
When?
Details
Shipping Label / Bill of Lading
Always required
This is a label provided by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.). Always required because the carrier needs to know the parcel's destination.
Commercial Invoice
Required for all non-document shipments
For all non-document shipments, you will require 3 copies of the commercial invoice (to be included with your shipping labels).
These are for customs purposes and need to be included inside a document pouch outside of the box.
When creating a shipment through the Secureship website, the system will help you create this document automatically.
B13a
Required if value exceeds $2,000 per shipment or is a controlled good
A B13a is required if your shipment exceeds $2000 CAD or is a controlled good
and is destined to a country other than the US, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands
Canada has a preferential trade agreement with Ghana. A COO proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into Ghana, it will incur a reduced or zero-rated import duty.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Infrequently required
Shows that the shipment has been insured.
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters of credit for the goods. Otherwise,
it is generally your choice whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
ATA Carnet
Infrequently required
Used to avoid duties and taxes on shipments of temporary nature.
If you ship goods of temporary nature to and from a country, you can obtain an ATA Carnet to expedite the customs clearance process and
ensure that anything of temporary nature is not charged duties and taxes.
No specific form is required, but generally includes information regarding:
The exporter, importer and transport company
Date of issue
Number of freight invoice
Type and number of packages
Contents of each package
Marks and numbers
Net weight, gross weight and measurements of each package
Prohibited & Restricted Imports
Goods that are prohibited from entering Ghana may not enter the country. Restricted goods, on the other hand, are allowed entry but may have quantity limits or other rules attached to them.
Prohibited Items
Any material with pornographic or obscene content
Weapons - flick knives, knuckle dusters, etc.
Material considered to be scandalous or libellous
Coins and notes of any country that are counterfeit
Air conditioners
Restricted Goods
Medications
Tobacco products
Handcuffs
Machines that duplicate keys
Games of chance including gambling machines
Animal traps and nets
Containers that discharge damaging chemicals, for e.g. mace
Duty and taxes owed on imports to Ghana are calculated using the CIF value of a shipment. The CIF value is calculated as the sum of the customs value plus insurance costs plus freight charges.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
By knowing the CIF value of a shipment, you will be able to predict the duty and taxes owed by the recipient
Thresholds
Ghana does have a duty or tax threshold (or de minimis) for imports. This means, regardless of a shipment's value, it will incur duty and taxes.
Currency
Ghanaian Cedi GH₵ or GHS
Duty Exemption (De minimis Value)
N/A
Duty Calculation Method
CIF
TAX (VAT)
12.5%
Tax Exemption
(De minimis Value)
N/A
Tax Calculation Method
CIF
Duties on Imports
Excise Taxes
The following imported products incur excise taxes: alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, bottled water, carbonated beverages, and textiles.
Details may be found by clicking
here.
Other Taxes
Imported goods will be charged two other taxes: National Health Insurance Levy (NIHL) and a Ghana Education Trust Fund Levy (GETFL). Each is a 2.5% tax.
You can purchase
insurance
through Secureship and it is provided by the carrier that will be transporting your shipment.
Each carrier will charge a different amount per $100 of declared insurance. If you indicate that you need insurance for your shipment our system will automatically include the insurance costs for your shipment.
Insurance is great to have in case your package is accidentally lost or damaged by the carrier. But be careful, not everything you ship is insurable. Worse - even if your package contains items that are insurable, if it doesn’t meet the ISTA 3A packaging standard, the insurance purchased through the carrier would not be available to you.
Here are some items that cannot be insured by the carrier:
Personal belongings
Antiques
Artwork
Liquids (including alcohol)
Televisions
Jewellery in excess of $500
Perishable goods
Glass or Ceramic
And many more items
For more information, please see the carrier's terms and conditions.
Shipping to Ghana from Canada can take between 3-5 business days through the fastest carriers available on the Secureship platform.
More economical services, such as Canada Post, can take up to 1-2 months to complete the delivery.
