Where your cargo leaves Europe
Most cargo from Europe to Ghana sails from a handful of large ports with regular West Africa services. Through our agents at origin, we collect from your supplier anywhere in Europe and truck or rail the goods to the best port for the route.
- Belgium: Antwerp. A major hub for West Africa, with frequent sailings, a large used-vehicle trade and strong RoRo services.
- Netherlands: Rotterdam. Europe's largest port, with deep container connections and many consolidation warehouses.
- Germany: Hamburg and Bremerhaven. The natural gateway for German machinery, vehicles and industrial goods. Bremerhaven is a leading vehicle port.
- France: Le Havre. Serves French exporters of food, building materials, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
- Italy: Genoa. For Italian machinery, tiles, food and fashion.
- Spain: Valencia. For Spanish food, ceramics and general goods, and a transhipment point on some services.
Air cargo leaves from the main European airports and lands at Accra International Airport. See air freight to Ghana. Shipping from Britain? See shipping from the UK to Ghana.
Sea freight options from Europe
Full containers (FCL). 20ft, 40ft and 40ft high cube boxes loaded at your supplier or at the port. Best value for larger volumes, and the most secure option. Reefer containers are available for chilled and frozen food.
Consolidation (LCL). Antwerp and Rotterdam are the main consolidation hubs for West Africa. Your cartons or pallets are delivered to a warehouse there, loaded with other shippers' goods and shipped to Tema. Ideal when you buy from several European suppliers in smaller quantities. Compare the options in FCL vs LCL shipping.
RoRo and breakbulk. For vehicles, tractors, trucks and heavy machinery that cannot go in a container. See sea freight to Ghana for how each option works.
Used cars and machinery from Belgium and Germany
Belgium and Germany are among the biggest sources of used cars, vans, trucks and plant for Ghana. Before you buy, check the vehicle against the rules that apply from 1 October 2026:
- Not more than 15 years from the date of manufacture
- Built left-hand drive, which most European vehicles are, but check UK-origin stock carefully
- No flood, fire or salvage damage, and an undamaged chassis
- Pre-shipment inspection by a GSA-approved body in the exporting country
Estimate the duty with our vehicle duty calculator and read importing a used car into Ghana. We handle shipping and clearing through car shipping to Ghana.
Used industrial machinery, generators and agricultural equipment from Europe are also common. Send us the make, model, dimensions and weight, and we plan whether it goes in a container, on a flat rack, or as breakbulk.
Food, chemicals and regulated goods
European food, drinks, cosmetics, medicines and medical devices need FDA approval before Ghana Customs releases them. Register the products early, and check labels and shelf life against what is registered.
Chemicals, paints and cleaning products may need FDA or other agency permits, and those classed as dangerous goods must be declared to the shipping line with a safety data sheet. Tell us exactly what the products are before booking, so the cargo is accepted and cleared without a hold.
What shipping from Europe to Ghana costs
Your landed cost combines ocean or air freight and surcharges, origin charges in Europe, Ghana import duty and taxes, and local charges at Tema. Duty depends on the HS code and the CIF value, with bands of 0, 5, 10, 20 or 35 percent plus levies, VAT, NHIL and GETFund. Under the interim Economic Partnership Agreement between Ghana and the EU, duty on some EU-origin goods is being reduced in stages, but only with valid proof of origin from the supplier. Ask us whether your goods qualify before you ship.
Estimate duty with the import duty calculator, read Ghana import duty explained, and agree delivery terms with your supplier using the right Incoterms. For an itemised price, use our quote form.
Clearance and delivery in Ghana
We lodge the ICUMS declaration before the vessel arrives, arrange permits and duty payment, and track port storage and shipping line free days so charges do not build up. After release, we deliver to your premises anywhere in Ghana, or move the cargo on to Burkina Faso, Mali or Niger. See our clearing agent in Tema service and the import documents checklist, and follow the shipment on the tracking page.
Questions
How long does shipping from Europe to Ghana take?
By sea, allow about 14 to 28 days port to port from northern Europe, and somewhat longer from the Mediterranean or where the cargo is transhipped, depending on the shipping line. Add time for collection and for clearance at Tema. Air freight usually takes a few days.
Which European port is best for shipping to Ghana?
Antwerp and Rotterdam have the most frequent West Africa services and the main consolidation warehouses. Hamburg and Bremerhaven suit German cargo and vehicles. We route through whichever port gives the best balance of cost and time for your goods.
Can I import a used car from Germany or Belgium into Ghana?
Yes, if it is not more than 15 years from manufacture, left-hand drive, undamaged, and has passed a pre-shipment inspection by a GSA-approved body. Check before you pay the seller.
Can you consolidate goods from several European suppliers?
Yes. The goods are delivered to a consolidation warehouse at origin and shipped together, with one set of documents for Ghana customs.
Do European goods pay lower duty in Ghana?
Some can. Ghana's interim Economic Partnership Agreement with the EU reduces duty in stages on certain EU-origin goods, provided the supplier issues valid proof of origin. Everything else pays the normal ECOWAS Common External Tariff rate. Ask us to check your HS codes.
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.