How Kumasi importers work with us
We are based in Tema and serve Kumasi from there. Most Ashanti cargo arrives by sea at Tema, with some through Takoradi, and is then trucked inland. You do not need a representative at the port.
- Send the bill of lading, supplier invoice and packing list by email or WhatsApp, or upload them on our tracking page.
- We check the documents and estimate the duty. Try the import duty calculator for your own figure, or the vehicle duty calculator for cars.
- We clear the goods at the port, pay the charges and load the truck.
- The truck travels to Kumasi and you receive the goods at your shop, yard or warehouse.
- We return the empty container to the shipping line.
Road times from Tema and Takoradi
Tema to Kumasi is about 270 km by road. A loaded container truck usually needs most of a day for the trip, and sometimes longer. From Takoradi it is about 240 km, with similar planning. Traffic around Accra and Kumasi, road works, weather, police and customs checkpoints and the truck's loading time all affect the journey, so treat any time as approximate.
Which port is better depends on where your cargo sails from and which lines call there. Most shipping lines call at Tema, so it is usually the default. See clearing at Tema and clearing at Takoradi.
Suame Magazine, Adum and Kejetia
Suame Magazine is one of the largest vehicle repair and spare parts districts in West Africa. Importers there bring in containers of used engines, gearboxes, body parts and tyres, as well as whole vehicles. Mixed parts containers need careful packing lists so customs can classify each item, which saves time and arguments at the port. Check vehicle age first: used vehicles more than 15 years from manufacture are banned from 1 October 2026. See car shipping to Ghana.
Adum and Kejetia are the city's busiest trading areas, with tight streets and heavy daytime traffic. A full container truck often cannot get close to a shop, so plan an early delivery, an unloading point nearby or a split into smaller vehicles.
Full container to your door, or stripped first
Deliver the full container. The truck brings the container to your premises and waits, or drops it, while you unload. This suits warehouses and yards with space and labour. The shipping line's clock keeps running until the empty is back, so unload quickly.
Strip the container first. The goods are unloaded near the port and sent to Kumasi on a general cargo truck. The empty is returned straight away, which can save detention charges and suits shops without truck access. It adds a handling step, so packing must be sturdy.
We help you choose based on your premises, your cargo and the free days on your bill of lading. Our demurrage and storage guide explains the charges involved.
Empty container return to Tema
For most shipments the empty container goes back to a depot in or near Tema, unless the shipping line names another return point. That is a second long trip, and detention charges run until the container is returned. Unload on arrival, tell us as soon as the box is empty, and we arrange the return. A container left in Kumasi for a few extra days can cost more than the haulage itself.
Kumasi as a hub for the north and Burkina Faso
Kumasi sits on the main road north to Tamale, Paga and Burkina Faso. Many traders hold stock in Kumasi and send it on to northern Ghana in smaller loads. For cargo going across the border under a transit declaration, see transit to Burkina Faso, and for trucking anywhere in Ghana, haulage and trucking. Ready to move a shipment? Request a quote with your Kumasi address.
Questions
Do you have an office in Kumasi?
No. We are based in Tema, next to the port, and serve Kumasi businesses by phone, email and WhatsApp, with delivery to your premises.
How long does it take to truck a container from Tema to Kumasi?
Tema to Kumasi is about 270 km. A loaded container truck usually takes most of a day, and longer with heavy traffic, bad weather or delays at checkpoints.
Is it better to clear at Tema or Takoradi for Kumasi?
Usually Tema, because more shipping lines call there. Takoradi can make sense if your line calls there and the vessel timing suits you. The road distance to Kumasi is similar.
Can you deliver a container to Suame Magazine?
Yes, if there is access for the truck and space to unload. In busy parts of Suame it is often easier to unload at a nearby yard or use smaller trucks.
Who returns the empty container?
We do. The empty usually goes back to a depot in or near Tema. Let us know as soon as it is unloaded so detention charges stop as early as possible.
Can you send goods from Kumasi on to northern Ghana?
Yes. We arrange onward trucking to Tamale and other northern towns, and transit to Burkina Faso through Paga.
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.