Ghana Trade

Import and Export Experts - Accra, Ghana

5 Points to Consider When Importing in Ghana

By

The following are some points to consider for Ghana Imports:

Conformity Assessment Program

  • Under Ghana’s “Conformity Assessment Program,” some imports are classified as “high risk goods” (HRG) that must be inspected by Ghana Standards Board (GSB) officials at the port to ensure they meet Ghanaian standards. The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has classified the HRG into 17 broad groups, including food products, electrical appliances and used goods. The classification of HRG is vague and broad, and its scope has raised numerous questions. For example, the category of “alcoholic and nonalcoholic products” could presumably include beverages, pharmaceuticals, and industrial products under the same classification. The process requires prior registration with GSB as an importer of HRG and GSB approval to import HRG. The importer must submit to GSA a sample of the HRG, accompanied by a certificate of analysis or a certificate of conformance from accredited laboratories in the country of export. Most often, the GSB officials conduct a physical examination and check labeling and marking requirements and ensure that goods are released within 48 hours. The fee for registering each HRG is based on the prevailing exchange rate and can be downloaded from the GSA website. There is also a testing fee in addition to the registration fee. The fee is not fixed but based on the number and kinds of parameters tested.

I.D.F. (Import Duty Form)

  • Effective from 1st October 2001 it is compulsory to indicate on all original bills of lading and manifests covering cargo destined to Ghana the I.D.F. (Import Duty Form) number. Personal effects are not subject to I.D.F. It will be at Ghanian importer’s care to communicate this number to their suppliers/forwarding agents who, in their turn, will indicate it on bills of lading instructions. Failing this number, it will not be possible to proceed to shipment. In order not to be penalized for non-declaration of the I.D.F. number, the following clause will be put on each page of cargo manifest the following clause: “The carrier is not responsible for any missing or incorrect I.D.F. number and the responsibility remains with the merchant.
  • Any fines or penalties levied against the carrier are for account of the merchant”.

REGULATIONS REGARDING THE IMPORTATION OF NEW VEHICLES TO GHANA

With immediate effect, any of the following documents will be required as EVIDENCE OF BONAFIDE OWNERSHIP before vehicles can be cleared from the Port. The documents are:

  • Certificates of Title
  • Certificates of Origin
  • Certificates of Retail Sales
  • Bills of Sales
  • Any other officially authorized evidence of bonafide ownership.

The documents mentioned are easily obtainable in any normal car or truck transaction in most countries.

IMPORT RESTRICTIONS (CONDITIONAL IMPORTS)

With these imports, one needs a permit, license  or certificate from the appropriate organization prior to the importation of the items:

  • Gold Coins, current in the United Kingdom (License from Minister of Finance) Rough or uncut diamonds (License from Minister of Finance)
  • Arms and ammunition (Permit from Ministry of Interior)
  • All Communication Equipment (National Communication Authority Permit) Drugs (Ministry of Health Certificate/Food and Drugs Board License)
  • Cinematography films through any port of entry other than Tema, Takoradi or Accra Airport (Apply to Commissioner of CEPS)
  • Goods bearing designs in imitation of money. (License from Minister of Finance) Handcuffs (License from Minister of Interior)
  • Machines for duplicating keys (License from Minister of Interior)
  • Condensed or evaporated milk containing less than 8% by weight of milk fat and dried or milk powder containing less than 26% by weight of milk fat ( Apply to Commissioner of CEPS)
  • Gambling machines (Ministry of Finance. Permit)
  • Live plants and animals (Ministry of Agriculture Permit) Nets and traps for animals (Ministry of Agriculture Permit) Mercury (Permit from Ministry of Trade, Inspector of Mines)
  • African Prints (Wax prints) – to be imported ONLY through the Port of Takoradi. (Permit from Ghana Standards Board)
  • Poultry products (from certain countries): Ministries of Trade/Agriculture
  • Human remains: (Cause of Death Certificate, Embalmment Certificate and Pathologist Certificate from country of death – To be imported only in a hermetically sealed casket)
  • Textiles (to be imported through Takoradi Port)

ABSOLUTE IMPORT PROHIBITIONS TO GHANA

Under the laws of Ghana, certain import or export items are either prohibited or restricted. These are:

  • Narcotic Drugs
  • Ammunition imported by post
  • Medicated soap containing Mercuric Iodide Toxic waste
  • Contaminated goods
  • Animals and carcasses infected with disease Plants and seeds infected with pests or disease foreign soil
  • Beads of inflammable celluloid or other similar substances raw coffee imported overland or by inland water-ways counterfeit notes and coins of any country
  • Defamatory, obscene/pornographic materials and similar articles or publications Knuckle dusters
  • Goods bearing fraudulent trademarks or infringing any copyright law Dangerous weapons such as flick and paper knives
  • Drugs imported overland or by inland water ways Goods prohibited by any law in Ghana
  • Importation by containers overland is absolutely prohibited
All data and information provided on this site is for informational purposes only. Ghana Trade.org makes no representations as to accuracy, completeness, currentness, suitability, or validity of any information on this site and will not be liable for any errors, omissions, or delays in this information or any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its display or use. All information is provided on an as-is basis.