Air cargo clearing in Accra, explained
Air cargo arriving at Accra International Airport is received into a bonded cargo terminal next to the airport. It stays there, under customs control, until the import declaration has been lodged in ICUMS, duty and taxes are paid, any permits are attached and customs releases it.
A clearing agent at Accra airport does that work for you: checks the air waybill and invoice, classifies the goods under the right HS code, lodges the declaration, follows up the permits, attends examination and collects the cargo from the terminal. Done well, a clean air shipment can leave the airport within a day or two of landing.
How we clear your cargo at Accra airport
- Send us the air waybill number, the commercial invoice and the packing list as soon as the cargo is booked. A copy of the AWB is enough to start.
- We check that descriptions, weights and values agree across the documents, then classify the goods and prepare the ICUMS declaration before the flight lands.
- Once the cargo is manifested and received at the terminal, we lodge the declaration and apply for any permits through ICUMS.
- We send you the assessed duty so you can pay, or we pay it for you against a deposit. Estimate it first with the import duty calculator.
- We attend examination if customs selects the shipment, settle the terminal charges and collect the release.
- We deliver to your office, shop or warehouse in Accra, Tema or anywhere in Ghana. Follow the status on our tracking page.
FDA and other permits at the airport
Much of what comes in by air is regulated: medicines, supplements, cosmetics, medical devices, food samples and lab chemicals. These need FDA approval before customs will release them, and the importer and products should be registered with the FDA before they ship. Other goods need their own approvals, for example phones and radio equipment, plants and seeds, or chemicals.
A missing permit is the most common reason air cargo sits at Accra airport. Tell us what you are shipping before it leaves, and we will confirm what is needed. Our import documents checklist covers the rest.
Storage at the cargo terminal
The cargo terminal gives a short free period after arrival, then charges storage daily, usually by weight. Perishables, pharmaceuticals that need cold storage and valuable goods can attract higher rates. Because air shipments are small, a few extra days of storage can cost a large share of the freight.
The best protection is having documents, permits and duty money ready before the flight lands. We tell you on arrival exactly what is outstanding, so nothing waits on a question nobody asked.
Courier or air freight: which is right?
Express couriers clear small parcels through their own systems and deliver door to door. They are simple for documents, samples and light parcels, but duty and handling are added to the bill and you have little control over how goods are declared.
Air freight moves on an air waybill to the airport cargo terminal and is cleared by a broker. For heavier shipments, or for any regular commercial stock, it is usually better value and gives you full control of the declaration. See our air freight to Ghana service for the inbound leg.
Personal effects and excess baggage
Unaccompanied baggage and personal effects sent as cargo are cleared at the same terminal. Returning residents and people relocating may qualify for relief on used household and personal items, subject to customs rules and proof of residence abroad. New goods, goods in commercial quantities and regulated items are assessed normally. Send us the AWB, a detailed list of contents and a copy of your passport, and we will advise before you travel.
Questions
Is Accra International Airport the same as Kotoka International Airport?
Yes. Kotoka International Airport (KIA) has been renamed Accra International Airport. The airport code is still ACC, and air waybills, the cargo terminals and the customs process are unchanged.
How long does customs clearance take at Accra airport?
With complete documents, permits in place and duty paid promptly, many air shipments clear in about 1 to 3 working days after arrival at the cargo terminal. Physical examination, valuation queries or a missing FDA permit add time.
Can I clear my own air cargo at Accra airport?
Customs declarations in Ghana are lodged by licensed customs brokers. You can collect personal baggage yourself, but commercial air cargo is normally cleared through a clearing agent.
What documents do I need to clear air cargo in Accra?
The air waybill, commercial invoice, packing list and your TIN or Ghana Card number. Regulated goods also need the relevant permit, such as FDA approval for medicines, cosmetics or food.
Why is my parcel held at the airport?
The usual reasons are an undervalued or vague invoice, a missing permit, an unregistered product or unpaid duty. Send us the AWB number and we will find out what customs or the terminal is waiting for.
Do I pay storage at the airport cargo terminal?
Yes, after the free period the terminal charges storage daily until the cargo is collected. Clearing quickly is the only reliable way to keep it low.
Can you clear cargo sent by another forwarder or airline?
Yes. Send us the air waybill and invoice and we will take over the clearance and delivery from arrival.
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.