Shipping from Dubai
to Ghana.

Freight options from the UAE

Full containers (FCL). 20ft and 40ft containers by sea from Jebel Ali to Tema, sealed at origin. The usual choice for larger orders of electronics, tyres, spare parts, building materials and household goods.

Shared containers (LCL). Pay by the cubic metre for smaller loads. Dubai traders often consolidate goods from several shops into one container; we can arrange that at origin, with one set of documents for Ghana customs.

Air freight. From Dubai airports (DXB and DWC) to Accra airport for phones, laptops, parts and urgent stock, charged on actual or volumetric weight. See air freight to Ghana and clearing at Accra airport.

Vehicles in containers. Cars, SUVs and pick-ups, alone or with other cargo. More on routes, containers and free time in sea freight to Ghana.

How a Dubai shipment works

1. Tell us what you are buying, from which sellers, and the rough volume or weight.
2. We quote freight, origin charges, clearance and delivery together.
3. Sellers deliver to the origin warehouse, where goods are checked, counted and packed into your container or LCL lot.
4. We book the sailing or flight and confirm the bill of lading or air waybill.
5. Before arrival we classify the goods under the right HS codes and lodge the declaration in ICUMS.
6. We clear the goods at Tema or Accra airport and deliver anywhere in Ghana by truck, or hold them in our Tema warehouse. Follow progress on the tracking page.

Vehicles from Dubai

Many used cars reach Ghana through Dubai. Check the age before you buy: from 1 October 2026 used vehicles more than 15 years old from manufacture can no longer be imported, and right-hand drive vehicles are refused. Damaged, salvage and rebuilt vehicles are also turned away. Estimate the duty with our vehicle duty calculator and read our car shipping to Ghana page before you pay the seller.

Goods Ghanaian importers bring from Dubai

Dubai works as a trading hub. Its markets and free zones hold stock from manufacturers all over the world, so a buyer can see goods in person, pay, and ship within days. The cargo we see most often on this route includes:

• Electronics and phones. New and refurbished phones, laptops, televisions and accessories. Used electronics may face extra checks, so tell us before you buy.
• Vehicle spare parts and tyres. Often mixed loads from several dealers. A detailed packing list with part types and quantities speeds up examination.
• Building materials and fittings. Sanitary ware, tiles, lighting and hardware, which are heavy and usually suit a 20ft container.
• Household goods, textiles and cosmetics. Cosmetics and some food items need FDA approval in Ghana before release.
• Generators and machinery. Check the dimensions early; large items may need flat rack containers or special haulage on arrival.

If you are not sure whether your goods are restricted or need a permit in Ghana, ask us before the seller ships. It is far cheaper to fix a document problem in Dubai than at Tema.

Documents for goods from Dubai

• Commercial invoice from each seller, showing true values and clear descriptions
• Packing list with carton counts and weights
• Bill of lading or air waybill
• Your TIN or Ghana Card number as the importer
• Permits for regulated goods, such as FDA approval for food and cosmetics

Many goods sold in Dubai were made elsewhere, often in China or India. Declare the true country of origin on the invoice; it is what Ghana customs expects. The full list is in the import documents checklist.

What drives the cost

Your landed cost is made of the freight, origin charges in the UAE, Ghana import duty and taxes, and local charges at Tema or Accra airport, followed by delivery. Freight moves with fuel, season and space on the ships. LCL is priced on volume, so bulky goods cost more than heavy compact ones. Air freight is priced on chargeable weight.

Duty is often the biggest single item. Estimate it with the import duty calculator and read Ghana import duty explained. For the sea freight side, see container shipping cost to Ghana, and use Incoterms to agree who pays what with your seller.

Be careful with sellers who offer a single all-in price to Accra. Those offers sometimes leave shipping line charges, storage or duty unpaid, and the goods are then held at Tema until someone settles them. Ask for an itemised quote that shows exactly what is included at each end of the journey.

Clearance in Ghana and avoiding delays

We prepare the declaration in ICUMS before the vessel arrives, arrange any permits, and track the container's free days so storage and demurrage do not build up while paperwork is sorted. Our clearing agent service in Tema explains the process.

The usual causes of delay on Dubai cargo are mixed loads with a single vague invoice, used electronics that need extra checks, and vehicles that fail the age or steering rules. Ask each seller for a proper invoice, tell us about used goods in advance, and check every vehicle before you buy. To start, send your details through the quote form or contact us.

Questions