How to Ship Items Between Ghana, the United States, and the United Kingdom

Introduction

Shipping items between Ghana and major Western markets like the United States and the United Kingdom is common, but the details matter. People run into surprises like unexpected duties, slow clearance, or lost packages. This guide explains how to ship things from Ghana to the United States and the United Kingdom and back, how to choose the right method, how customs works, what current tariff policy means for costs, and how to avoid common problems.

How Shipping Works, Basic Routes and Modes

Ghana to United States

• Small parcels travel by air courier. Express delivery to many US cities can be a few business days.
• Larger shipments use sea freight from Tema or Takoradi to US ports. Transit is several weeks, plus clearance and drayage.

United States to Ghana

• Couriers handle small parcels by air. Freight forwarders handle air freight and sea freight for bulk cargo.
• Plan for Ghana import duties, VAT, and local delivery from airport or port.

Ghana to United Kingdom

• Couriers offer express door to door for small parcels. Some services list 24 to 72 hours for priority shipments.
• Air and sea freight options exist for commercial and household cargo.

United Kingdom to Ghana

• Royal Mail and private couriers carry small parcels. Freight forwarders offer LCL and FCL to Tema and Takoradi.
• Sea containers from the UK to Ghana are usually around four weeks on water, plus handling.

Choosing the Right Method

Tip: One or two boxes, use air courier. Many boxes or heavy items, use sea freight for better cost per kilogram.

Cost Considerations

• Weight and dimensions. Dimensional weight may apply for air.
• Transport mode. Air is faster and pricier. Sea is slower and cheaper for bulk.
• Origin and destination. Door to door adds pickup and delivery charges.
• Customs, duties, VAT, and clearance fees. These often surprise senders and receivers.
• Packaging, insurance, and consolidation. Good packing and combining boxes lowers damage risk and unit cost.
• Speed choice. Express costs more than economy.

Customs, Duties, and Import Regulations

Ghana

Ghana uses the ECOWAS Common External Tariff with five bands, 0 percent, 5 percent, 10 percent, 20 percent, and 35 percent, with VAT and other levies applied on the CIF base and duty. See: https://gra.gov.gh/customs/customs-tariffs-and-levies/ and https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/ghana-import-tariffs.

United Kingdom

Imports into the UK need proper commodity codes, declarations, and duty or VAT when due. Some traders need an EORI number. See: https://www.gov.uk/import-goods-into-uk.

United States

US shipments require accurate content and value declarations. Duty and extra measures may apply based on product type and current tariff policy.

Practical tips: declare contents and value truthfully, agree who pays duties, prepare export paperwork for big shipments, and check restricted and prohibited items for the destination country.

Risks, Delays, and Real User Experiences

Users report that private couriers are more reliable than postal service for time sensitive items. Expect the receiver to handle customs and some delivery fees. A useful lived experience thread is here: https://www.reddit.com/r/ghana/s/mSGhP8C230.

Step by Step, Ghana to US and Ghana to UK

1. Choose method, parcel air or freight sea.
2. Measure and weigh items. Note dimensional weight for air.
3. Check destination rules and restrictions.
4. Select a courier or freight forwarder. Door to door is simpler for most people.
5. Get a quote with surcharges and insurance stated.
6. Pack securely with strong boxes, internal padding, and clear labels.
7. Complete export forms from Ghana and prepare import paperwork for the US or the UK.
8. Ship, keep tracking, and communicate the tracking number to the receiver.
9. Receiver plans for duties or VAT and local delivery or pickup.

Step by Step, UK to Ghana

1. Pick air parcel for small shipments, sea freight for heavy shipments.
2. Pack, check items allowed into Ghana.
3. Get a quote from Royal Mail or a courier or a freight forwarder.
4. Do any needed UK export steps. Plan for Ghana import duty and VAT.
5. Arrange pickup or drop off. Keep labels and tracking clear.
6. Ship and track.
7. Receiver in Ghana should be ready for customs, fees, and delivery.

Cost and Time Examples

• Ghana to UK, some priority services list 24 to 72 hours for small parcels.
• UK to Ghana, Royal Mail shows a delivery aim of 5 to 7 working days for certain tracked products. See: https://www.royalmail.com/sending/international/country-guides/ghana.
• Sea freight UK to Ghana, many forwarders show about four weeks on water for containers, then handling and clearance.
• Ghana to US air courier is often a few business days, sea freight is several weeks.

Prices and Where to Go

Example Price Table

*Prices are indicative examples only. Always obtain a current written quote from the carrier or forwarder. Use Our Currency Converter. 

Ghana, Drop Off and Branch Examples

United Kingdom, Drop Off and Branch Examples

United States, Tools and Options

Tariffs and Policy Update

United States tariff changes in 2025: On April 2, 2025, Executive Order 14257 introduced a reciprocal tariff framework, with a baseline 10 percent tariff that began collection in early April. On July 31, 2025, a follow up executive action further modified reciprocal tariff rates, with additional ad valorem duties for some partners effective August 7, 2025. See the official notices here:
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/07/2025-06063/regulating-imports-with-a-reciprocal-tariff-to-rectify-trade-practices-that-contribute-to-large-and and
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/further-modifying-the-reciprocal-tariff-rates/.

What this means for shippers: personal gifts and small private parcels can still be affected by inspection and tariff policy if they exceed thresholds or include dutiable goods. Commercial exports from Ghana to the United States need to price in the new US tariff layer on top of regular US duty rates. Shippers should ask their broker to model landed cost and check if any product specific rates apply.

United Kingdom trade context: the UK applies its own Global Tariff schedule and has an interim trade partnership with Ghana. For Ghana to UK trade, confirm commodity codes, duty rates, and preference eligibility before you ship. See UK guidance: https://www.gov.uk/import-goods-into-uk. For Ghana tariff bands, see: https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/ghana-trade-agreements.

FAQ

How much will it cost? It depends on weight, size, service speed, origin, destination, and duties. Always get a live quote and a written breakdown.

How long will it take? Air parcels are often a few business days for Ghana to US or Ghana to UK. Sea freight is several weeks port to port.

Do I have to pay duties? Yes, for most goods. Ghana applies duty and VAT on imports. The US and the UK apply duty and taxes based on the product and value.

What items are restricted? Food, medicines, hazardous items, and certain electronics can face extra rules. Check destination country lists before you ship.

Sources

• Ghana tariffs and levies: https://gra.gov.gh/customs/customs-tariffs-and-levies/
• Ghana import tariffs, US Department of Commerce: https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/ghana-import-tariffs
• Ghana trade agreements, US Department of Commerce: https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/ghana-trade-agreements
• Royal Mail, UK to Ghana country guide: https://www.royalmail.com/sending/international/country-guides/ghana
• US Executive Order 14257, Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/04/07/2025-06063/regulating-imports-with-a-reciprocal-tariff-to-rectify-trade-practices-that-contribute-to-large-and
• Further modifying reciprocal tariff rates, White House: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/07/further-modifying-the-reciprocal-tariff-rates/
• Royal Mail international products and delivery aims: https://www.royalmail.com/sending/international
• Reddit lived experience thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/ghana/s/mSGhP8C230