How it works
Your cargo is declared in transit at Tema, sealed and trucked through Ghana and then Burkina Faso to Mali. No Ghana import duty is paid. We coordinate the handover at each border and keep you updated by WhatsApp in English or French.
Mali does not share a border with Ghana, so every shipment crosses two transit countries. In Ghana the goods travel under a transit declaration, similar in principle to the T1 document used elsewhere, which records the cargo, seals, truck and route. When the truck leaves Ghana the transit is discharged, and the goods continue through Burkina Faso under that country's own transit formalities until they reach Malian customs.
The route north
From Tema, trucks run north through Kumasi. There are two usual exits from Ghana:
- Via Paga. North through Tamale to Paga, into Burkina Faso at Dakola, then west through Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso to the Malian border.
- Via Hamile. Through the Upper West Region to Hamile, into south-western Burkina Faso and on towards Bobo-Dioulasso. This can shorten the route to Mali for some cargo.
Most trucks then enter Mali on the road towards Sikasso and continue to Bamako. We choose the crossing for each shipment based on the cargo, the truck, border conditions and the security situation at the time, and we confirm the routing with you before the vessel arrives.
Transit declaration and bond
Because no duty is paid in Ghana, customs requires a transit bond or guarantee, usually issued by a bank or an approved insurer, covering the duty and taxes that would be due if the goods stayed in the country. The bond is discharged when the transit is closed at the exit border.
We lodge the declaration in ICUMS and arrange the bond as part of the service, so the Malian consignee does not need a guarantee of its own in Ghana. Broken seals, unapproved stops or exceeding the time allowed can lead to a claim against the bond, which is one reason we work only with carriers we trust on this corridor.
Step by step
- Send the bill of lading, commercial invoice and packing list naming the consignee in Mali.
- We check the documents and any Malian import requirements for your goods.
- We lodge the transit declaration and arrange the bond before the vessel arrives.
- The container is released from the Tema terminal, sealed and loaded onto a truck booked through our haulage service.
- The truck exits Ghana at Paga or Hamile, where the Ghana transit is closed.
- The cargo crosses Burkina Faso and is handed to Malian customs for clearance by your broker.
- The empty container is returned to the shipping line at Tema.
Documents to prepare. The bill of lading should show Tema as port of discharge and name the Malian consignee. Include the commercial invoice, packing list and any permits or certificates Mali requires for your goods. Descriptions and HS codes should be consistent, because the same cargo is declared in Ghana, in Burkina Faso and again in Mali. A mistake in the first declaration follows the truck all the way to Bamako. See the documents checklist for the general list.
Plan for the distance
This is a long corridor across two transit countries. Insurance for the road leg, a reliable carrier and early document checks matter more here than anywhere. We confirm the routing and the expected timeline with you before the vessel arrives.
Container detention is a real cost on the Mali route. The shipping line's clock runs until the empty box is back in Tema, and a round trip to Bamako takes far longer than a delivery inside Ghana. Ask the line about extended free time when you book, or consider transferring the cargo to a truck at Tema, under customs supervision, so the container can be returned early. Our warehousing in Tema can handle that transfer.
What drives the cost and common delays
Transit costs depend on the container size and weight, truck availability for the long haul, the bond value, Tema terminal and shipping line charges, insurance, and how long the container is out before return. We quote each shipment on its details and never on a standard figure. See demurrage and storage at Tema for how the free-time clocks work.
- Documents not ready on arrival. Port storage at Tema starts even for transit cargo.
- Mismatched details. The consignee and goods must match across the bill of lading, invoice and transit declaration.
- Border congestion. Queues at the Ghana and Burkina Faso crossings add days; plan for them.
- Changing conditions. Security and road conditions in the Sahel can change quickly, so routing is reviewed before each departure.
Start your Mali transit
Our transit desk speaks French and English and works directly with your broker in Bamako, so questions about documents or timing are answered in the language your team uses. Send the booking or bill of lading through the quote form or contact us, and follow the cargo on our tracking page. For port clearing see our clearing agent in Tema service, and for routes through Burkina Faso see transit to Burkina Faso.
Questions
Which route do trucks take from Tema to Mali?
Usually north through Ghana into Burkina Faso and on to Mali. We confirm the route for each shipment based on current border conditions.
Is cargo insured on the road?
Freight is not insured automatically. We recommend cargo insurance for the road leg and can arrange it with your quote.
Do I pay Ghana import duty on goods going to Mali?
No. The goods move through Ghana under a transit declaration backed by a bond. Duty is paid in Mali when your broker clears the goods there.
Do trucks to Mali cross at Paga or Hamile?
Both are used. Paga leads to Ouagadougou and then west across Burkina Faso, while Hamile leads into south-western Burkina Faso. We pick the crossing for each shipment.
Can your team work with us in French?
Yes. Our transit desk works in French and English and can deal directly with your broker in Mali.
How can I reduce container detention on the Mali route?
Ask the shipping line about extended free time when you book, have documents ready before arrival, or transfer the cargo to a truck at Tema so the empty container is returned early.
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.