When air cargo to Ghana makes sense
Air freight costs more per kilo than sea freight, but it arrives in days rather than weeks. It is the right choice when time matters more than the freight bill.
- Machine spare parts where every day of downtime costs money
- High-value, low-weight goods such as phones, electronics and fashion
- Medicines, medical devices and samples
- Perishables such as fresh produce, flowers and some chilled food
- Stock to fill a gap while a sea shipment is still on the water
For larger, heavier or less urgent loads, compare with sea freight to Ghana.
Express or general air cargo
Express courier services suit small parcels and documents. They are quick and simple, but expensive per kilo once the weight grows, and clearance is handled inside the courier's own system.
General air cargo moves on scheduled passenger and freighter flights under an air waybill. It is far better value from roughly 45 kg upward, handles pallets and larger pieces, and lets you choose your own clearing agent at Accra airport. Most commercial imports travel this way.
Through our agents at origin we collect from your supplier, book the flight, and send you the air waybill so you can follow the shipment on our tracking page.
How chargeable weight works
Airlines charge by chargeable weight: the higher of the actual weight and the volumetric weight. Volumetric weight reflects how much space a light, bulky shipment takes up in the aircraft.
The common IATA method is: length times width times height in centimetres, divided by 6,000, gives the volumetric weight in kilos. A carton of 60 by 50 by 40 cm is 120,000 cubic cm, which is 20 kg volumetric. If it weighs 12 kg, you pay for 20 kg. If it weighs 25 kg, you pay for 25 kg. Express couriers often use a smaller divisor, such as 5,000, which makes bulky parcels cost more.
To keep costs down, ask suppliers to pack tightly, avoid oversized cartons and remove unnecessary packaging. Rates also vary with the airline, the routing, fuel and security surcharges, and the season.
Dangerous goods: batteries, perfumes and aerosols
Many everyday products count as dangerous goods in the air and must be declared, packed and labelled under IATA rules. Undeclared dangerous goods can be refused, seized or fined.
- Lithium batteries. Power banks, spare batteries and battery-powered devices. Batteries shipped on their own face the strictest rules and limits on state of charge. Batteries packed with or inside equipment are easier, but still need the right marks and documents.
- Perfumes and fragrances. Usually flammable liquids, and limited by quantity and packaging.
- Aerosols. Spray paints, deodorants and air fresheners are compressed gases and need dangerous goods handling.
- Others. Paints, adhesives, some chemicals, and magnetised items.
Tell us exactly what is in the shipment before it is booked. Your supplier will usually need a safety data sheet, and the shipper must sign a dangerous goods declaration. Some items are simply cheaper and easier to send by sea.
Perishables and temperature-sensitive cargo
Fresh food, flowers, vaccines and some medicines need a cool chain from the supplier to your door. We book space with airlines that handle temperature-controlled cargo, plan the flight to avoid long connections, and arrange collection from the cargo village as soon as the goods are released.
Food, medicines, cosmetics and medical devices also need Food and Drugs Authority approval. Our FDA import permit guide explains how it works. We prepare the permit before the flight lands, because a perishable shipment waiting on paperwork loses value by the hour.
Customs clearance at Accra airport
Air cargo is cleared at the cargo village at Accra International Airport (ACC, formerly Kotoka International Airport) through ICUMS, the same customs system used at Tema. We classify the goods, lodge the declaration, attach any permits, arrange the duty payment, attend examination and collect the release, then deliver to your premises in Accra or anywhere in Ghana. Read more on our customs clearing at Accra airport page.
Duty works the same way as for sea cargo, on the CIF value including the air freight. Estimate it with the import duty calculator, check the import documents checklist, and send us your cargo details through the quote form.
Questions
How long does air freight to Ghana take?
Usually about 2 to 7 days from booking to arrival at Accra airport, depending on the origin, the airline and connections. Clearance at the airport adds time, typically a day or more with complete documents and permits.
How is air freight to Ghana charged?
By chargeable weight: the higher of the actual weight and the volumetric weight. Volumetric weight is usually the carton size in cm multiplied together and divided by 6,000.
Can I send lithium batteries or power banks by air to Ghana?
Often yes, but only declared, packed and labelled as dangerous goods under IATA rules, and some airlines restrict them further. Batteries shipped on their own face the strictest limits. Tell us before booking.
Can perfumes be shipped by air cargo?
Yes, as declared dangerous goods, since most perfumes are flammable liquids. Quantity and packaging limits apply. Large volumes are often better value by sea.
Do I need FDA approval for food or cosmetics sent by air?
Yes. Food, medicines, cosmetics, medical devices and household chemicals need FDA approval whether they arrive by air, sea or road.
Can you clear a shipment that another company flew in?
Yes. Send us the air waybill and the supplier invoice and we will clear it at Accra airport and deliver it.
Talk to our operations desk.
Send your documents or cargo details and we will reply with a full quote: freight, clearance and delivery on one page.