Shipping Route — 🇬🇭 Ghana
Shipping Vehicles & Machinery from Germany to Ghana
Your complete guide to exporting cars, trucks, and equipment from Germany to Tema — transit times, duties, overage penalties, and required documents.
Route Overview
Germany → Ghana
Direct shipping from Hamburg and Antwerp to Ghana. Below you'll find everything you need to plan your shipment — ports, transit times, costs, and documentation.
Tema — Port of Tema
Primary vehicle and container gateway. Handles RoRo, containerized cargo, and general freight. Ghana's busiest port.
Takoradi — Port of Takoradi
Secondary industrial gateway, used for general cargo and some machinery flows.
Transit Times
How Long Does Shipping Take?
Static / Mafi
16–20 days from Antwerp, 20–29 days from Hamburg
Container (FCL)
17–29 days from Antwerp, 25–35 days from Hamburg
Shipping Methods
How to Ship to Ghana
Static / RoRo — non-drivable or oversized machinery, loaded on mafi trailers
Container (20'/40' FCL) — for higher-value vehicles, parts, and consolidated goods
Flatrack — for heavy machinery and oversized equipment
Common Carriers on This Route
Vehicle Age Restrictions
Age Limits for Ghana
Ghana uses an overage penalty system rather than a hard ban. Vehicles over 10 years incur escalating CIF-based penalties: ~5% for 10–12 years, rising to 50%+ for 15–20 years. Agricultural tractors (HS 8701) are exempt from overage penalties.
Import Duties & Taxes
What Does It Cost to Import?
Multi-layer duty stack including import duty, levies, and VAT on a duty-inclusive base.
Import duty: ~20% of CIF for most vehicle headings
NHIL (National Health Insurance Levy): 2.5%
GETFund Levy: 2.5%
VAT: 15% (computed on duty-inclusive base)
Overage penalty: additional CIF-based charge for vehicles over 10 years
All customs declarations in Ghanaian cedi (GHS). Rates are indicative — always request a current quote for accurate landed costs.
Required Documentation
Documents You'll Need
Bill of Lading (original)
Commercial invoice with vehicle particulars
Vehicle registration / title document
Export certificate from Germany
G-CAP (Ghana Conformity Assessment Programme) compliance where applicable
Key Regulations
What You Should Know
Right-hand drive vehicles are generally prohibited
Vehicles must be operational and compliant with emissions standards
Correct documentation critical — CIF valuation, age, and condition determine tax base and overage penalties
Pre-shipment conformity checks may apply under G-CAP
Shipping to Ghana?
Use our Ludwigshafen Import Hub to receive, store and consolidate goods from your German suppliers before they sail — or request a freight quote for Germany → Ghana.
Explore the Import Hub
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