GHANA (GHA)

At MSC we offer reliable and efficient shipping services to and from Ghana, for a host of markets and suppliers seeking to do business in and out of the Republic of Ghana. If this is the first time you’ve shipped to this part of West Africa be sure to take a look at our in-depth country guide, covering everything from general trade information to import and export procedures, designed to ensure the smooth transport of your goods to or from Ghana.

Fact file

• ISO code: GHA
• Language: English
• Currency: Ghana cedi (GHS)
• Time zone: GMT
• Dialling code: +233
• Capital city: Accra
• Area: 238,533 sq km (148,217 sq mi)
• Population: 25,758,108
• Weights and measures: Metric system
• Electricity supply: 230v. 50Hz

Key commodities and trading partners

Exports

Oil, gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore, diamonds and horticultural products.

Imports

Capital equipment, refined petroleum and foodstuffs.

Principal trading partners - exports

• France: 13.6%
• Italy: 12.4%
• Netherlands: 8.9%
• China: 7.4%
• Germany: 4.3%

Principal trading partners - imports

• China: 25.6%
• Nigeria: 11.0%
• USA: 7.0%
• Netherlands: 6.2%
• Singapore: 4.5%
• UK: 4.1%
• India: 4.0%

Ports and terminals

• Takoradi (GHTKD) – Takoradi Port
• Tema (GHTEM) – Tema Port

Prohibited cargo

Imports

• Infected animals and carcasses
• Infected plants and seeds
• Soil
• Raw coffee imported overland
• Contaminated foodstuffs
• Medicated soap containing mercuric iodide
• Narcotic drugs if other than duly authorised narcotics, psychotropic substances or their precursors required for essential medicinal purposes
• Obscene, defamatory or similar publication
• Goods bearing fraudulent trademarks or infringing any copyright law
• Counterfeit currency
• Beads of inflammable celluloid or similar substances
• Incandescent filament lamps
• Knuckle dusters and life preservers
• Dangerous weapons such as flick knives and paper knives
• Right-hand drive vehicles
• Arms and ammunition coming under the respective conventions
• Second-hand handkerchiefs, underpants, mattresses and sanitary wear
• Used liquefied petroleum gas cylinders
• Used air conditioners, refrigerators and freezers

Though the above items are the only ones prohibited, there are a number of goods that are heavily restricted. For more information, see the links below.

Exports

• Illegal or unauthorised drugs
• Weapons, explosives and ammunition (unless permitted)
• Knives and other deadly weapons
• Pornographic materials
• Parrots

For full details of prohibited cargo in Ghana please visit the following sites:

European Commission site

Import and export regulations