FIELD NOTES
Practical guidance for importers, exporters, first-time shippers and growing businesses in Ghana.
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If you've never shipped anything internationally before, the process breaks down into five steps: decide what you're shipping and how much of it, choose sea…
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Written by Joshua Adamu for people moving goods into, out of and across Ghana.
EXPORTER GUIDE
To export legally from Ghana, you need a registered business (with a Certificate of Incorporation and TIN from the Registrar-General's Department and GRA),…
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INSURANCE GUIDE
Since February 1, 2026, all commercial imports into Ghana; and even personal effects, in many cases; must be insured through a locally licensed Ghanaian…
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COST GUIDE
Shipping a container from China to Ghana typically costs between roughly $1,500 and $3,500+ for a 20ft container and considerably more for a 40ft, depending…
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PORT CHARGES
Demurrage is the fee a shipping line charges when your container stays at the port terminal beyond its free time; detention is the fee charged when you keep…
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COLD CHAIN GUIDE
Ghana's agricultural non-traditional exports; cashew nuts, pineapples, mangoes, fresh or chilled tuna, and bananas among the top earners; depend on a cold…
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Ghana is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of shea butter, and international buyers; especially in Europe, the Gulf, and Turkey;…
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The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) lets Ghanaian exporters sell to other African member states at preferential (reduced or zero) tariffs; but…
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A shipping line owns or operates the vessel and physically moves your cargo across the ocean. A freight forwarder arranges and manages the whole…
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Every import into Ghana is cleared by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division through the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), which…
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The Ghana Free Zones Authority (GFZA) offers export-oriented businesses a 10-year corporate income tax holiday (reduced rate thereafter), full exemption…
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To legally import goods into Ghana for resale, you need a registered business with a Certificate of Incorporation, a Tax Identification Number (your Ghana…
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Incoterms are internationally standardised trade terms, published by the International Chamber of Commerce, that spell out exactly who pays for what and who…
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A practical product-by-product guide to packaging cargo for air and sea freight, from volumetric weight and cushioning to moisture protection and ISPM 15.
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Ghana Customs (the Ghana Revenue Authority) divides controlled goods into two categories: prohibited items, which are banned outright by law and cannot…
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Choose sea freight if your shipment is heavy, bulky, or not urgent; it's slower (typically 6–8 weeks on the China–Ghana route) but far cheaper per…
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Shipping a standard 55-gallon barrel of clothing, food, and household goods to Ghana by sea freight typically takes around 4–8 weeks door-to-port and is one…
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If you've never shipped anything internationally before, the process breaks down into five steps: decide what you're shipping and how much of it, choose sea…
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SOURCING GUIDE
Alibaba and similar platforms are legitimate and widely used, but the platform itself doesn't vet every seller; you do. Before paying any supplier, verify…
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