Freight to Ghana from the UK
Ghana is one of West Africa's most stable and fastest-growing trade lanes, and we have shipped here for decades. We move air and sea freight to Accra, Tema, Takoradi and Kumasi every week from our base near Heathrow. We know Tema port's clearance procedures, Ghana's ICUMS customs system and the conformity rules from hands-on experience -- not from a textbook.
Air Transit
1-2 days
Heathrow to Accra
Sea Transit
16-21 days
UK to Tema
Departures
Weekly
Air & sea consolidations
Serving Ghana
40+ years
Since the 1980s
Our Services
How We Ship to Ghana
Air Freight
Direct flights from Heathrow to Kotoka International Airport (Accra). We book cargo space with British Airways and other carriers operating this route, with onward connections via European and African hubs for additional capacity.
- 1-2 day transit to Accra
- Express next-flight-out available
- Weekly consolidations for better rates
- Time-critical and AOG handling
Sea Freight
FCL and LCL services from Felixstowe, Southampton and Tilbury to Tema port, near Accra. Direct sailings take around 16-21 days. We also ship to Takoradi for cargo bound for the mining and oil and gas operations in Ghana's western region.
- 20ft and 40ft FCL containers
- LCL consolidation to Tema weekly
- RoRo for vehicles
- Takoradi services for the western region
Inland Delivery
Our agents in Tema arrange onward trucking to Kumasi, Takoradi, Tamale and other Ghanaian cities. We also coordinate delivery to bonded warehouses and the mining sites in the west and north. Door-to-door from the UK to anywhere in Ghana.
- Trucking from Tema to all regions
- Kumasi delivery within days of clearance
- Bonded warehouse storage available
- Mine-site delivery in the western region
Compliance
Customs & Documentation for Ghana
Ghana clears imports through ICUMS, the Integrated Customs Management System, operated by the Ghana Revenue Authority's Customs Division. Every shipment needs an Import Declaration Form and your consignee needs a Taxpayer Identification Number. Getting the paperwork wrong means cargo sits at Tema accruing demurrage and rent.
We handle the full export side and guide your consignee through import clearance: ICUMS declaration, Ghana Standards Authority conformity for regulated manufactured goods, and Ghana FDA approval for food, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices. We also advise on import duty, the GETFund and NHIL levies, and VAT so there are no surprises at the port.
Our agents at Tema and Takoradi work with Customs officers daily. When a query or inspection holds a container -- and at busy periods it happens -- we resolve it quickly rather than leaving your cargo to sit.
Key Documentation
Import Declaration Form (IDF)
Filed through Ghana's ICUMS platform
Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
Required for the Ghanaian importer
Ghana Standards Authority Conformity
For regulated manufactured goods
Commercial Invoice & Packing List
Standard for all shipments
Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
Transport document for sea or air
Certificate of Origin
Required for preferential duty treatment
Ghana FDA Approval
For food, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices
Import Duty & Levies
Duty plus GETFund, NHIL and VAT as applicable
What We Ship
Common Cargo Types to Ghana
Mining & Oil Field Equipment
Machinery, spares and project cargo for Ghana's gold mining and the Jubilee oil and gas fields. We route heavy and oversized loads through Takoradi, the natural base for the western region.
Construction Materials
Steel, roofing, tiles, fittings and building supplies feeding the construction boom around Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi. FCL services to Tema port.
Consumer Goods & FMCG
Electronics, textiles, cosmetics and packaged foods. We consolidate smaller shipments to Accra weekly, keeping per-kilo costs down for importers and traders.
Vehicles & Auto Parts
Cars, trucks, spare parts and tyres. We handle RoRo and containerised vehicle shipping to Tema. Note Ghana's age limits and penalties on older vehicles -- we advise before you book.
Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare
Temperature-controlled shipments of medical supplies, lab equipment and pharmaceuticals. We manage Ghana FDA documentation for regulated healthcare goods.
Personal Effects & Relocations
Household goods, vehicles and personal belongings for Ghanaians returning home or UK expats relocating to Accra, Kumasi or Takoradi. Door-to-door packing and delivery.
Tema Port & ICUMS: What You Need to Know
Tema is Ghana's main gateway and has been heavily expanded with a deep-water terminal, so it handles modern container volumes well -- but clearance speed still depends on getting your ICUMS declaration and conformity paperwork right first time. The most common cause of delay we see is incomplete documentation or a missing Ghana Standards Authority or FDA approval, which leaves a container racking up rent. We check every shipment against Ghana's requirements before it sails or flies, and our Tema agents push clearance through the moment cargo lands. If you are shipping to Ghana for the first time, talk to us before booking -- we will give you a realistic delivery window.
FAQ
Ghana Freight FAQs
How long does shipping to Ghana take?
Air freight from Heathrow to Kotoka International Airport (Accra) takes 1-2 days depending on whether you choose express or standard consolidation. Sea freight from the UK to Tema port takes around 16-21 days for direct sailings. Add 3-7 days for customs clearance in Ghana depending on documentation and ICUMS processing. We give realistic timelines based on current conditions, not best-case estimates.
What documents do I need to ship to Ghana?
At minimum you need a commercial invoice, packing list, and a bill of lading or air waybill. Ghana clears imports through ICUMS (the Integrated Customs Management System), so your consignee will need an Import Declaration Form and a Taxpayer Identification Number. Regulated manufactured goods require Ghana Standards Authority conformity, and food, drugs, cosmetics and medical devices require Ghana FDA approval. We prepare all export documentation and guide your Ghanaian consignee through the import side.
How much does freight to Accra or Tema cost?
Air freight to Accra starts from around GBP 3-5 per kilo for consolidated shipments; express next-flight-out costs more. Sea freight for a 20ft container from the UK to Tema starts from approximately GBP 1,600-2,300 depending on carrier and season. LCL sea freight starts from roughly GBP 80-120 per cubic metre. These are guide prices -- we quote exact rates based on your cargo's weight, volume and commodity.
Can you ship dangerous goods to Ghana?
Yes. KAM Freight is IATA DG certified and handles all nine classes of dangerous goods by air and sea. We manage classification, packaging, labelling and documentation. Common DG shipments to Ghana include chemicals and equipment for the mining and oil and gas sectors, lithium batteries, paints and aerosols. Some items face additional restrictions, so we check compliance before booking.
Do you handle customs clearance in Ghana?
Yes. Our clearing agents handle customs at Tema, Takoradi and Kotoka Airport through Ghana's ICUMS platform. We prepare documentation to Ghana Revenue Authority (Customs Division) requirements, manage Ghana Standards Authority and FDA compliance, coordinate duty payment and arrange inland delivery to Accra, Kumasi and across the country.
Ready to ship to Ghana?
Get a quote for air or sea freight to Accra, Tema, Takoradi or anywhere in Ghana. We typically respond within two hours.