Car clearing cost in Ghana — the honest, no-surprises guide
Importing a vehicle to Ghana is straightforward when you know the line items. This is the same breakdown we walk our own clients through when they buy from our Zürich trade desk and receive the car at Tema or Takoradi. No inflated quotes, no hidden markups.
What you actually pay at the port
Duties are assessed on the CIF (Cost + Insurance + Freight) value that GRA Customs derives from the Ghana Automated Cargo Tracking Note and its valuation database — not the invoice alone. The typical line items:
- Import Duty — 5% (commercial/pickups) to 20% (saloons, SUVs, luxury) of CIF value.
- VAT — 15% on the duty-inclusive value.
- NHIL + GetFund + COVID levy — 2.5% + 2.5% + 1%, applied on the same base as VAT.
- ECOWAS + African Union levies — 0.5% + 0.2%.
- Network Charge & Processing Fee — ~0.75%.
- Overage penalty — vehicles older than 10 years attract a penalty (5%–50%) on top of duty. This is the single biggest reason quotes surprise buyers.
- Terminal & shipping-line charges — GPHA, MPS/Meridian terminal handling, delivery order, demurrage if you exceed free-storage days.
- DVLA registration — roadworthy, number plates, embossment, and first-year insurance.
Rates above reflect published GRA and MoTI schedules current at the time of writing; the National Budget and Customs administrative notices update them periodically. Ask us for a live quote before you commit.
The Switzerland-to-Ghana route, step by step
- Step 1
Selection & inspection in Zürich
You pick a vehicle from our Swiss stock (or one we source to your spec). Our Zürich desk runs a full mechanical and history check — the same paperwork European buyers rely on.
- Step 2
Invoice, BL & compliance
We issue a commercial invoice, book the ocean freight (RoRo or container), and file the pre-arrival declaration so Customs can pre-classify the car before it arrives.
- Step 3
Shipping to Tema or Takoradi
Transit is typically 18–28 days from Antwerp/Bremerhaven to Tema. Takoradi is used for oversized SUVs and buyers in the west.
- Step 4
Port clearing
Our licensed clearing agent submits the classification, pays duties on your behalf, and moves the vehicle out of the terminal before demurrage bites (typically 7 free days at Tema).
- Step 5
DVLA registration & handover
Roadworthy check, number plates, embossment, insurance — then delivery to your address in Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi or anywhere in-country.
Worked example — 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser V8
Illustrative only. Real invoices depend on GRA valuation and the exact model/trim.
- CIF value (Customs)
- USD 55,000
- Import duty (20%)
- USD 11,000
- VAT + NHIL + GetFund (21%)
- USD 13,860
- ECOWAS + processing (~1.5%)
- USD 990
- Terminal & clearing agent
- USD 900
- DVLA + insurance (1 yr)
- USD 650
- Estimated total clearing
- ≈ USD 27,400
Under 10 years of age, no overage penalty. Add 5–50% on duty if the vehicle exceeds the age threshold.
Common questions
+Is Tema or Takoradi cheaper for clearing?
+What documents do I need?
+How long does clearing take?
+Can you clear a car I bought elsewhere?
Get a real quote in one message
Send us the year, make, model and (if you have it) the VIN. We'll come back with a landed cost — in GHS, USD, EUR or GBP — including duty, port charges and delivery to your door.