Used Household Goods and Personal Effects

Documents Required

• Copy of valid passport with entry visa
• Packing list
• Original bill of lading (OBL) - no express release / air waybill (AWB)
• Detailed valued inventory French, signed, and dated by the owner of the goods
• Letter from the employer stating that the client is starting a new contract in Ghana
• PUBD form (personal unaccompanied baggage declaration) to be filled out at the airport of arrival
• Failure to do so will attract heavy penalties and delays in Customs clearance
• Invoice for the electrical and hi-fi appliances and for all the items bought less than 6 months before the shipment’s arrival

Specific Information

• Diplomatic shipments can be imported duty free, provided that the diplomatic organization has received the exemption certificate from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• To apply for this exemption, original documents are needed (including the original AWB) at least 14 days prior to arrival of the shipment.
• Agents must have all Customs documents at least 15 days prior to the shipment’s arrival to Ghana in order to obtain the document for free entry.
  • “Diplomatic shipment” to be shown on the OBL / AWB. 

Motor Vehicles

Documents Required

• Original registration card
• Copy of purchase invoice
• Certificate of ownership
• OBL
• Non-sale certificate

Specific Information

• The OBL must show chassis number, engine number, cylindrical power, cubic capacity, year of manufacture, brand, and model of vehicle.
• This information must also be available on at least one of the official car documents provided (certificate of ownership, car title, car invoice, etc.).
• Cars up to 10 years can be imported in Ghana but will be taxed.
• Right hand drive vehicles are banned.
• Cylinder capacity below 1900 cc : 10% C.I.F. value (import duty).
• Cylinder capacity below 2500 cc : add V.A.T. of 10% C.I.G. value and import duty.
• Cylinder capacity over 2500 cc : add special tax of 17.5% CIF value = V.A.T. + import duty.

Pets

Documents Required 

• Vaccination record
• Veterinary health certificate
• Import permit (from the veterinary head office in Accra)

Specific Information

• Documents must be presented for pet entry into Ghana.

Restricted/Dutiable Items

• Firearms and ammunitions (authorization from the territorial administration is required)
• Drugs
• Alcohol (“Fond de Cave”) is acceptable and duty free (max 20 bottles)
• Rough or uncut diamonds (license from the Ministry of Finance required)
• Live plants and plant products (a permit from the Ministry of Agriculture is required)
• Poultry products (permission from the Ministries of Trade and Agriculture is required for certain countries); contact agent for specific information.

Prohibited Items

• Used refrigerator, used air conditioner, and used deep freezer regardless of owner of the goods’ status
• Firearms and ammunition are permitted subject to authorization from the territorial administration
• Unlawful drugs
• Foreign cigarettes without warning notice
• Mercuric medicated soap
• Toxic waste, contaminated goods
• Animals as well as plant and seeds infected with disease
• Foreign soil
• Pornography, defamatory, obscene articles or publications
• Dangerous weapons (including flick and paper knives)
• Alcohol and other spirits are allowed in reasonable quantity (maximum of 10 bottles. Duties will be levied for the excess)

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea shipments.

Helpful Website(s):

https://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/ghana.html

http://www.ghanaembassy.org