Shipping to and from Ghana
Your complete guide to shipping to and from Ghana. Find the right route, get Maersk office locations, discover local solutions, payment options and more.
Import
Get up-to-date local information about import procedures and restrictions, demurrage and detention, container drop-offs and more.
Tariff for demurrage and detention are in same rates in Ghana. Demurrage is calculated from the day of discharge up to and including the day of empty return to the terminal.
Please note shipping line demurrage and detention charges exclude port storage charges. Storage charges are billed by the port and paid directly to the Port Authority.
Freetime
The standard free-time for all shipments discharged in Ghanaian ports is:
- 7 days for dry and 5 days for reefer containers - if containers delivery within Ghana
- 21 days for dry - if containers are in transit to other West African coastal countries
- 28 days for dry containers - if containers are in transit to inland countries, like Burkina Faso; Mali and Niger. (please note 28 days free time is not applicable for Shipments booked on SPOT, these shipments will enjoy SPOT Terms and Conditions)
Demurrage and detention
The standard demurrage tariffs, effective from 1st June 2011, are as follows :
Dry containers
- 7 days free from day of discharge
- Day 8 to day 16 = USD 20 per twenty foot equivalent unit (teu) per day
- Day 17 to 21 days = USD 25 per twenty foot equivalent (teu) per day
- Day 22 to stripping/gate-in = USD 50 per twenty foot equivalent (teu) per day
Reefer containers
- 5 days free from day of discharge
- Day 6 to stripping date = USD 100 per twenty foot equivalent per day.
Example
For a 40' reefer container that is discharged on April, 5 and returned empty to the terminal on April,12 demurrage will be USD 600 (3 days at USD 200 per day - total time is 8 days from day after discharge to date of empty return and 5 days free-time is applied).
Local Charges for Ghana
Note: VAT is applicable on all Local charges
Dry & Reef in USD
Import invoice | 20ft (USD) | 40ft & 45ft (USD) |
---|---|---|
Import invoice
Import Service (Both Dry & Reef)
|
20ft (USD)
155
|
40ft & 45ft (USD)
312
|
Import invoice
Port Security Service - Import
|
20ft (USD)
29
|
40ft & 45ft (USD)
58
|
Import invoice
Port Additional/Port Dues - Import
|
20ft (USD)
213
|
40ft & 45ft (USD)
411
|
Container Deposit in Ghana Cedis
Container Deposit Required (Refundable upon return of empty container within paid up time) | 20ft | 40ft |
---|---|---|
Container Deposit Required (Refundable upon return of empty container within paid up time)
Container Deposit required- Within Ghana (DRY)
|
20ft
350
|
40ft
700
|
Container Deposit Required (Refundable upon return of empty container within paid up time)
Container Deposit required – Within Ghana (REEFER)
|
20ft
500
|
40ft
1000
|
Container Deposit Required (Refundable upon return of empty container within paid up time)
Container Deposit(DRY) – Transit Countries
|
20ft
4500
|
40ft
9000
|
Customs requirements
All importers are required to submit the below listed documents to Ghana Customs for processing of import documents:
- Original bill of lading
- Sea waybill
- Inspection certificate (FCVR)
- Original invoice
- Packing list
- Import declaration form
- Valid IRS certificate
In addition to the above documents, other government regulatory agencies (such as the EPA and the FDB) may require other relevant documents covering:
- EPA certificates for chemical imports;
- food imports; and
- pharmaceutical and drugs imports.
Weight restrictions
The maximum net weight or payload in Ghana is 30 metric tons.
Equipment restrictions
Aluminium containers are not accepted in Ghana. 45' containers can be accepted provided the twistlock locations are at 40' positions and weights conform to the acceptable limits.
Commodity
The following import commodities are either prohibited or banned in Ghana:
- Fireworks of all kinds;
- Pornograhic materials; and
- Military arms and ammunition (can only be imported with permit from the Ministry of Interior).
The law prohibiting the importation of overaged vehicles (over 10 years) has been repealed. Consequently importers can now bring in old cars but will be made to pay higher duty (300%).
Special customs requirements
Ghana has changed to the Destination Inspection Scheme (DIS).