Car Export to Ghana from China
Wholesale supply to Tema and Takoradi with pre-shipment conformity certification, left-hand drive specification and a 120-point inspection before loading.
Why Ghana Dealers Buy Chinese Vehicles
Supply origin in this market has shifted decisively toward China over the past few years. Here is what that means for a dealer or importer sourcing stock.
Left-hand drive as standard
Ghana has driven on the right since the 1970s. Every unit we quote for this market is left-hand drive, confirmed in writing before any deposit is taken.
Conformity certification before sailing
Ghana operates a pre-shipment verification regime for regulated goods including vehicles. We arrange the inspection and certificate at the loading port so the consignment is not exposed to rejection or penalty at Tema.
Inside the age limit, not at the edge of it
Ghana caps the age of imported vehicles and applies an escalating penalty to units above the limit. We only quote vehicles comfortably inside the window, counted from the manufacturing date.
Tema and the Sahel corridor
Tema handles the bulk of Ghana's vehicle imports and also serves as a redistribution point for the northern neighbours. Takoradi covers the western corridor.
Import Compliance: What Ghana Requires
These are the compliance steps for a Ghana consignment, in the order they occur.
- Importer registration and declarationThe importer of record must be registered with the Ghana Revenue Authority and hold a valid taxpayer identification number. The customs declaration is filed through the national single-window system, and our proforma invoice forms the basis of the declared value.
- Pre-shipment inspection and certificate of conformityVehicles fall under Ghana's pre-shipment verification of conformity programme. An accredited agency inspects the unit in China before loading, verifying the VIN, manufacturing date, configuration, roadworthiness and emissions, and issues the certificate that customs requires at destination.
- Customs clearance at Tema or TakoradiClearance runs against the bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and the conformity certificate. Duty and the associated levies are assessed on the CIF value, and the age-based penalty is applied here if the unit is outside the limit.
- Registration with the DVLAAfter release, the vehicle is inspected and registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, and the registration plate and documents are issued against the clearance papers.
The step that matters most: Ghana applies an escalating overage penalty to vehicles above the age limit rather than a flat refusal, which means an out-of-window unit can still clear but at a materially higher landed cost. We calculate the age from the manufacturing date before quoting, so you are never surprised by the penalty at Tema.
Documents we provide
| Document | What it is for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Proforma Invoice | Basis of the import declaration and the letter of credit | Before deposit |
| Certificate of Conformity | Enables destination clearance and registration | Before sailing |
| Bill of Lading | Title document for the delivery order | 3–5 days after departure |
| Commercial Invoice | Customs valuation and duty assessment | Before departure |
| Packing List | Port inspection and VIN verification | Before departure |
| Certificate of Origin | Customs and preferential-duty compliance | On B/L issuance |
| Inspection Report | Independent record of condition before loading | Before final payment |
On document accuracy: destination customs systems cross-check every character across the invoice, packing list, bill of lading and certificate of conformity. We verify all of them against each other before the original bill of lading is printed.
Ports and Shipping to Ghana
We ship to both of Ghana's vehicle gateways on container and RoRo services, and build the loading plan around the port you nominate.
| Gateway | Typical use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tema | Main vehicle and container gateway | Serves Accra, Kumasi and the northern corridor |
| Takoradi | Western region and second gateway | Suits distribution into the western and central regions |
| Tema transit north | Redistribution to Sahel markets | Transit documentation must be arranged before arrival |
Budget for port-side time. Clearance at Tema adds time after arrival, and storage charges start once the free period ends. We give you a realistic door-to-door estimate in the quotation rather than quoting ocean transit alone.
Container loading. A 40HQ holds three to four SUVs or four to five sedans depending on dimensions. Mixed model loads are routine for dealers testing a new line, and a loading plan comes back with the quote.
How Ghana Import Duty Works
We quote FOB or CIF. Duty is assessed at destination on the CIF value, in the structure below.
| Component | Applies to |
|---|---|
| Import duty on passenger vehicles | CIF value |
| Value added tax | CIF value plus duty |
| National Health Insurance Levy and related levies | CIF value |
| Examination and processing fees | Per consignment |
| Overage penalty where applicable | Age above the permitted limit |
Why there is no total percentage here: We do not publish a combined percentage. Rates and levies change, and the overage penalty is calculated differently depending on how far above the limit a unit sits. Your proforma invoice sets out the structure for your vehicles, and we recommend confirming the final calculation with a licensed Ghanaian clearing agent before you commit.
Vehicle age and eligibility
Ghana limits the age of imported vehicles, counted from the manufacturing date rather than the model year, and applies a graduated penalty to units above the limit. That penalty is what usually decides whether an older unit is worth importing at all. We verify the manufacturing date from the VIN and calculate the position before quoting, so you can compare a cheaper older unit against a younger one on landed cost rather than on FOB price alone.
Models Ghana Dealers Order Most
Drawn from current demand in Accra and Kumasi. Every model below is available from our catalogue or on allocation.
| Segment | Models in our catalogue | Why it sells |
|---|---|---|
| Family SUVs | Toyota Highlander · Nissan X-Trail · Kia Seltos · Toyota Frontlander | The strongest retail segment in Accra |
| Sedans | Toyota Camry · Toyota Corolla · Kia K3 · Hyundai Elantra | Fleet, ride-hailing and family use |
| Compact SUVs | Geely Boyue · Changan CS55 PLUS · Changan X5 PLUS · GAC Trumpchi GS3 | Value positioning for volume dealers |
| New energy | BYD Han EV · BYD Song Plus · BYD Sealion 06 · Zeekr 7X | Early-stage but growing urban demand |
Looking for something not listed here? Send the model, year and quantity, and our sourcing goes beyond the catalogue shown on this site.
How Ordering Works
- Send your RFQModel list, quantities, target model years and destination port.
- Receive a quote within one business dayStructured FOB or CIF pricing with unit prices, container or routing plan and lead time.
- Confirm and pay a depositVehicles are reserved and the pre-shipment inspection is scheduled. The deposit and balance schedule is set out in your proforma invoice.
- Pre-shipment inspectionPhotographs and video of the actual units before loading, sent to you for approval.
- Balance, loading and departureDocuments are couriered to you so your bank and agent can complete the destination formalities.
Order sizes. Volume wholesale terms apply for dealers and distributors, and single-unit orders can be quoted FOB on request. Tell us your model mix and destination and we will confirm terms for your specific order.
Ghana Import FAQ
What conformity certificate does Ghana require for vehicles?
What happens if the vehicle is over the age limit?
Is left-hand drive required in Ghana?
Can a consignment transit from Tema to a neighbouring country?
How long does shipping from China to Tema take?
What is the minimum order quantity?
How many cars fit in one container?
How do I start an order?
Do you supply used vehicles as well as new ones?
Request a Ghana FOB Quote
Send your model list, quantities, target model years and destination port. Our export team replies within one business day with pricing, a container plan and lead time.