Ghana
GH · GHA
As of: 7/23/2026
Westafrikanisches Hafen- und Transitdrehkreuz (Tema/Takoradi); Sitz des AfCFTA-Sekretariats
Capital: Accra
ECOWAS / AfCFTASeaAirRoadRailImport VAT: Einfuhr-VAT 15 Prozent plus NHIL 2,5 Prozent und GETFund 2,5 Prozent auf gleicher Basis (zusammen rund 20 Prozent)Customs: mittel bis hochRisk: mittelPharma/Cold Chain: mittelDangerous Goods: mittelE-Commerce: mittel bis hoch
Overview
Ghana (GH) is West Africa's port and transit hub for the landlocked countries Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, and hosts the AfCFTA Secretariat in Accra. As an ECOWAS member, Ghana applies the Common External Tariff (0/5/10/20/35 per cent); clearance has run electronically through the Ghana Revenue Authority's ICUMS since 2020, and since 1 January 2026 import VAT is 15 per cent plus NHIL and GETFund of 2.5 per cent each. The main gateways are the ports of Tema (MPS Terminal 3) and Takoradi, handling around 85 per cent of foreign trade, plus Kotoka International Airport in Accra (ACC). Key axes are the Tema–Paga–Ouagadougou corridor, the Tema–Takoradi coastal corridor and the Accra–Kumasi–Tamale route; the Western rail line is being rehabilitated. Exports centre on gold, crude oil and cocoa, imports on petroleum products, machinery and vehicles; main partners are China, Switzerland, the Netherlands, India and the United States.
Mentioned countries
Area238,533 km²
Population30,832,019
CurrencyGhanaian Cedi (GHS)
Economic areaECOWAS / AfCFTA
ContinentAfrika
ReligionsChristentum, Islam
ISO codeGH / GHA
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Customs DivisionImport system
Elektronische Zollabwicklung über ICUMS (Integrated Customs Management System, seit 2020); Anmeldung durch lizenzierte Zollagenten. Tarifierung nach ECOWAS-Gemeinsamem Aussenzoll (CET).
Export system
Ausfuhranmeldung ebenfalls über ICUMS bei der GRA Customs Division; Nutzung von ECOWAS-Ursprungsregeln (ETLS) und AfCFTA-Präferenzen.
Import VAT
- Einfuhr-VAT 15 Prozent plus NHIL 2,5 Prozent und GETFund 2,5 Prozent auf gleicher Basis (zusammen rund 20 Prozent)
- VAT Act 2025 (Act 1151) seit 1.1.2026, COVID-Levy abgeschafft.
Customs complexitymittel bis hoch
Import documents
- Handelsrechnung
- Packliste
- Konnossement / Luftfrachtbrief
- Einfuhrlizenz (sofern erforderlich)
- Ursprungszeugnis
- FDA-/Standards-Zertifikate (je nach Ware)
Export documents
- Handelsrechnung
- Packliste
- Ausfuhranmeldung (ICUMS)
- Ursprungszeugnis (ETLS / AfCFTA)
- Phytosanitär-/Qualitätszertifikate (Kakao/Agrar)
Origin proofs / FTA
ECOWAS-Ursprungsnachweis (ETLS) und AfCFTA-Ursprungszeugnis; EU-Ghana Interim-EPA (in Kraft seit 2016) sowie UK-Ghana Interim-Abkommen mit Präferenznachweis (z.B. EUR.1 / Ursprungserklärung).
Restricted & prohibited goods
Einfuhrverbote/-beschränkungen u.a. für bestimmte Gebrauchtwaren, Waffen, Drogen und gefährliche Abfälle; Genehmigungspflichten für Arzneimittel, Lebensmittel und Chemikalien (FDA Ghana).
Export controls & sanctions
Ghana steht nicht unter internationalen Sanktionen und setzt als UN-Mitglied Beschlüsse des UN-Sicherheitsrats um. Eigenständige umfassende Exportkontrolllisten sind begrenzt.
Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.
Customs / Import / Export (Africa) — General process
Quick operational overview for international shipments to Africa. Documentation, pre-clearance and local clearance steps can vary a lot by destination.
Documents (typical)
Process (simplified)
- Prepare export (docs, HS code, origin)
- Import clearance in destination country (declaration, possible checks)
- Release and delivery; duties/taxes according to classification and value
Important: Requirements depend on goods, origin, Incoterms, value, and consignee. When in doubt, confirm with your broker/forwarder and official sources.
Official links
Note: regional/general sources. Country-specific authority links will be added iteratively.
Trade
Freight Infrastructure & Transport Network
Transport relevance
Air
highSea
highRoad
highRail
lowInland Waterway
lowCargo airports
- Kotoka International Airport (ACC), Accra
- Kumasi International Airport (KMS)
- Tamale International Airport (TML)
Seaports / access ports
- Hafen Tema (grösster Hafen, nahe Accra; MPS Terminal 3 Tiefwasser)
- Hafen Takoradi (Rohstoffe: Mangan, Bauxit, Kakao, Öl)
Inland ports & terminals
- Boankra Inland Port (im Aufbau, nahe Kumasi)
Road corridors & border crossings
- Tema–Akosombo–Paga / Ouagadougou (Burkina-Faso-Korridor)
- Tema–Accra–Takoradi (Küstenkorridor)
- Accra–Kumasi–Tamale (N6/N10)
Rail corridors
- Western Line Takoradi–Kumasi (Sanierung/Neubau Normalspur)
- Eastern Line Accra–Kumasi (Wiederaufbau)
Top trade lanes
- Ghana–China
- Ghana–EU (Niederlande/Schweiz)
- Ghana–Indien
- Ghana–USA
- Westafrika-Transit (Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger)
Risk & Operational Notes
Logistics riskmittel
Customs delay riskmittel bis hoch
Port congestion riskmittel bis hoch
Risk notes
Hafeneffizienz in Tema durch MPS Terminal 3 verbessert; Kontrollen und Engpässe möglich. Bürokratie-/Korruptionsrisiko bei der Zollabwicklung; Volatilität des Cedi-Wechselkurses.
Seasonal & weather risks
Tropisches Klima; Regenzeit im Süden etwa April–Juli und September–Oktober, im Norden Mai–Oktober; Harmattan-Staub (Dezember–Februar) kann Sicht und Luftfracht beeinträchtigen.
Current logistics notes
Tema: Kongestion und Container-Abfuhrverzögerungen Juli 2026; GPHA erlässt Lagergelder auf betroffene Ladung, Stakeholder-Forum zu Hafenkosten läuft. VAT-Reform (Act 1151) seit 1.1.2026 in Kraft. (Stand 2026-07-23)
As of: 2026-07-23
Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.
Public holidays
As of: Jul 23, 2026
| Date | Holiday | Type | Customs closed | Transport affected | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2026 | New Year's Day | National | |||
| Jan 7, 2026observed on Jan 9, 2026 | Constitution Day | National | |||
| Mar 6, 2026 | Independence Day | National | |||
| Apr 3, 2026 | Good Friday | National | |||
| Apr 6, 2026 | Easter Monday | National | |||
| May 1, 2026 | May Day | National | |||
| Jul 1, 2026observed on Jul 3, 2026 | Republic Day | National | |||
| Sep 21, 2026 | Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day (Founders' Day) | National | |||
| Dec 4, 2026 | Farmer's Day | National | |||
| Dec 25, 2026 | Christmas Day | National | |||
| Dec 26, 2026 | Boxing Day | National |
New Year's Day
Jan 1, 2026
Customs closed
Constitution Day
Jan 7, 2026 · observed on Jan 9, 2026
Customs closed
Independence Day
Mar 6, 2026
Customs closed
Good Friday
Apr 3, 2026
Customs closed
Easter Monday
Apr 6, 2026
Customs closed
May Day
May 1, 2026
Customs closed
Republic Day
Jul 1, 2026 · observed on Jul 3, 2026
Customs closed
Kwame Nkrumah Memorial Day (Founders' Day)
Sep 21, 2026
Customs closed
Farmer's Day
Dec 4, 2026
Customs closed
Christmas Day
Dec 25, 2026
Customs closed
Boxing Day
Dec 26, 2026
Customs closed
Sources: Ministry of the Interior, Public Holidays Act (Act 601) · Ministry of the Interior (Erklärung 9.1.2026) · Ministry of the Interior (Erklärung 3.7.2026)
Airports in this country
Kotoka International Airport
ACC · Accra
Ho Airport
Ho
Kumasi Airport
KMS · Kumasi
Sunyani Airport
NYI · Sunyani
Takoradi Airport
TKD · Sekondi-Takoradi
Tamale Airport
TML · Tamale
Ajena Airstrip
Ajena
Kpong Airfield
Kpong
Navrongo Airport
Navrongo
Wa Airport
WZA · Wa
Yendi Airport
Yendi
Anglogold Ashanti Obuasi Mine Helipad
Obuasi
Latest News
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Sources & Data Confidence
hochVerified: 2026-07-23
Official sources
- gra.gov.gh, ghanaports.gov.gh, statsghana.gov.gh, ecowas.int
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
FAQ
What is the import VAT rate in Ghana?
Since 1 January 2026 (VAT Act 2025, Act 1151) a VAT of 15 percent applies, plus NHIL 2.5 percent and GETFund 2.5 percent on the same base; the COVID levy was abolished. Import duty under the ECOWAS CET and processing/ECOWAS/AU levies also apply.
Which customs system does Ghana use?
Since 2020 customs is processed electronically via ICUMS (Integrated Customs Management System) of the Ghana Revenue Authority. Declarations are filed through licensed customs brokers.
What import duties apply?
Ghana applies the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET) with bands of 0, 5, 10, 20 and 35 percent on the CIF value, plus a processing fee, ECOWAS levy and AU levy among others.
What are the main ports?
The seaports of Tema (the largest, near Accra, with the deepwater MPS Terminal 3) and Takoradi (raw materials such as manganese, bauxite, cocoa and oil) together handle around 85 percent of foreign trade.
Which free trade agreements does Ghana have?
Ghana is a founding member of ECOWAS (customs union, ETLS) and a party to the AfCFTA, whose Secretariat is in Accra. It also has an interim EPA with the EU (since 2016) and an interim agreement with the United Kingdom.
Which transport modes are relevant for Ghana?
Sea freight (Tema, Takoradi) and air freight via Kotoka International Airport in Accra dominate. Road corridors link the ports to the north and landlocked neighbours; the rail network is being rehabilitated and partly rebuilt.
What logistics risks exist?
Watch for possible port congestion and inspections, bureaucracy and corruption risks in customs clearance, and Cedi exchange-rate volatility. Seasonally, the rainy season and Harmattan dust can affect transport.
Which trade partners are important for Ghana?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Ghana?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
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