Warehousing
in Tema.

Why move goods out of the port

Two charges start when a container is discharged at Tema. Port storage runs until the container leaves the terminal. Shipping line demurrage and detention run until the empty container is returned. Both rise the longer you wait.

If your own premises are not ready, or you only need part of the shipment now, moving the cargo to a warehouse in Tema stops port storage at gate-out. Unstuffing the container there lets the empty go straight back to the shipping line, which stops its clock too. For many importers, a few weeks of warehouse rent costs less than a few days of demurrage. Our guide to demurrage and storage explains how the two clocks work.

Bonded vs free-out warehousing

Bonded warehousing. Goods are stored in a customs-licensed warehouse before duty is paid. They remain under customs control, and duty is paid only when you take goods out for use in Ghana. This helps cash flow when stock will be sold over months, and suits goods that may be re-exported or sent on in transit. Every removal needs a customs entry, so it works best for planned, larger withdrawals.

Duty-paid (free-out) warehousing. The goods are fully cleared at the port and then stored as your own stock. You can take out any quantity, any time, without further customs formalities. This is the simpler choice for most importers who sell in Ghana.

We advise which fits your cargo and arrange the clearance to match. Use the import duty calculator to see what you would defer by bonding.

Devanning, palletising and inventory

• Devanning (unstuffing). The container is unloaded at the warehouse, the cargo counted against the packing list and any damage recorded with photos.
• Palletised storage. Cartons are stacked on pallets and racked or floor-stored, so they can be counted, picked and loaded quickly.
• Labelling and sorting. Splitting a mixed container by supplier, product or customer, and relabelling where needed.
• Inventory. Stock received, held and released is recorded, so you know what is on hand before you sell it.

Shared containers and mixed shipments

LCL cargo and consolidated containers from several suppliers are often easiest to manage through a warehouse. Each consignment is separated, checked and held until its owner is ready, instead of the whole container waiting on the slowest buyer. See our sea freight to Ghana service for LCL and FCL options.

Distribution across Ghana

From Tema we deliver whole loads or small orders to Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, Tamale and anywhere in between, using trucks sized to the order. Each delivery is tracked, and the driver captures a signature and photo as proof of delivery. Read more on haulage and trucking in Ghana.

What warehousing costs depend on

We do not publish a flat rate because storage is priced on what you store and how. The main factors are the space or number of pallets, how long the goods stay, whether storage is bonded, how often goods move in and out, any special handling such as fragile or heavy items, and insurance. Send us your cargo details through the quote form and we will price clearance, transfer, storage and delivery together.

Questions