Shipping to Ghana
from the UK
Ellcworth Express Ltd moves cargo from the UK to Ghana every week — vehicles via RoRo from £750, containers from £1,500. Sea freight to Tema Port, air freight to Accra Airport, customs cleared end-to-end under Ghana's ICUMS system.
£750
RoRo from
per vehicle / unit
£1,500
FCL from
20ft container
15–21
Transit days
UK ports → Tema
100%
ICUMS compliant
end-to-end clearance
The most active freight corridor we serve.
Ghana is one of the busiest shipping corridors from the UK. Demand comes from four directions: the diaspora community sending vehicles and household goods home; UK exporters supplying Ghanaian retailers and construction projects; institutional buyers procuring equipment for agriculture, mining, and infrastructure; and Ghanaian universities, hospitals, and research institutions sourcing degree certificates, lab equipment, library collections, and IT hardware from UK suppliers.
Tema Port — Ghana's principal deep-water port on the Atlantic coast, 25km east of Accra — handles the vast majority of containerised and RoRo cargo from the UK. It connects directly to the national road network, making onward delivery to Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, and beyond straightforward once port formalities are complete.
Ellcworth Express Ltd has built its West Africa operation around this corridor. We manage the full journey: UK collection or depot drop-off, export documentation, sea or air freight booking, Ghana customs clearance under ICUMS, and Tema-to-door delivery through our local agent network. One team. One chain. No handoffs.
Four freight modes. One recommendation.
RoRo Shipping
Roll-on/Roll-off is the fastest, most cost-effective method for vehicles and self-propelled machinery. Your unit drives on at Grimsby, Southampton, or Tilbury and drives off at Tema. No containerisation costs, no crane fees.
FCL — Full Container Load
Your cargo fills a dedicated container — sealed, secured, shipped under your bill of lading. Preferred for household goods, commercial stock, institutional equipment, and mixed cargo where security and condition matter.
LCL — Groupage
Share container space with other shippers. Ideal when your cargo does not justify a full box. We consolidate at our UK depot and your freight travels alongside vetted co-loaders.
Air Freight
When time is the constraint. Direct to Accra International Airport (ACC), with Accra and Tema delivery options. Door-to-door and airport-to-airport both available.
Shipping a car to Ghana — how RoRo works.
RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) is the industry standard for shipping vehicles to Ghana. Your car, van, or SUV is driven onto a purpose-built vessel at a UK RoRo port — typically Grimsby, Southampton, or Tilbury — and driven off at Tema. No craning, no containerisation, no risk of strapping damage.
Vessels depart weekly. Transit time from the UK to Tema is typically 15–18 days depending on routing and intermediate ports of call. From the moment the vessel berths at Tema, our Ghanaian agents begin the ICUMS customs clearance process.
RoRo rates start from £750 per vehicle. The final price depends on vehicle dimensions, departure port, and the sailing schedule at time of booking. We can typically confirm a rate and sailing date within 24 hours of enquiry.
What you will need
- ✓Original V5C logbook
- ✓Valid passport copy (ID page)
- ✓Proof of purchase / commercial invoice
- ✓Bill of Lading (once issued)
- ✓Vehicle clean inside and out
- ✓Fuel tank no more than ¼ full
- ✓No personal items left inside the vehicle
Missing a document? Contact us before delaying your booking — we will advise on alternatives.
How ICUMS works — and what it means for your shipment.
ICUMS (Integrated Customs Management System) is the Ghana Revenue Authority's national customs platform. Every import into Ghana is processed through it. Here is what happens to your shipment from the moment it approaches Ghanaian waters.
Pre-Arrival Declaration
Under ICUMS (Integrated Customs Management System), importers or their licensed agents must lodge a Pre-Arrival Assessment Reporting System (PAARS) declaration before the vessel reaches Tema. This triggers an advance risk assessment by Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) officers — meaning clearance work begins before the ship berths.
Customs Classification & Valuation
GRA assigns each shipment an HS tariff code. Import duty is calculated on the CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight). Most used vehicles attract 20% import duty plus 12.5% VAT. New goods vary by category. Correct classification from the outset is critical — misclassification is the most common cause of delays and demurrage charges at Tema.
Examination & Release
ICUMS uses a traffic-light selectivity system: Green (documentary check only), Yellow (document examination), Red (full physical examination of cargo). Well-prepared shipments with accurate documentation typically clear on Green or Yellow. We coordinate directly with our Tema-based agents to manage any examination requests and accelerate release.
Duty Payment & Gate Pass
Once assessed, duty and levies are paid through the GRA e-payment portal. A Gate Pass is issued, authorising removal of the cargo from port. Ellcworth Express Ltd manages this step end-to-end — you receive confirmation when your shipment is cleared and ready for collection or onward delivery.
Ellcworth Express Ltd handles ICUMS clearance on your behalf. We work with licensed customs agents at Tema Port, prepare and submit all required documentation, and manage any GRA examination requests. You are kept informed at every stage.
What makes this corridor different for us.
Single point of contact
One team manages your shipment from UK pickup to Ghana delivery. No handoffs, no finger-pointing between multiple parties.
ICUMS expertise
Customs holds and demurrage charges are almost always avoidable with correct documentation. We prepare everything right the first time.
Tema agent network
Established relationships with licensed customs agents and logistics partners at Tema Port, built over years of weekly shipments.
Weekly sailings
We consolidate cargo across a weekly schedule so your goods move without unnecessary delay. No waiting months for a vessel.
Real communication
Updates when they matter — vessel departure, Tema arrival, customs clearance, delivery confirmation. No chasing required.
Transparent pricing
Our quotes cover freight, handling, and standard customs disbursements. No surprise invoices at clearance.
Common questions answered.
Shipping to Ghana from the UK.
Ready to ship to Ghana?
RoRo from £750. FCL from £1,500 (20ft) or £2,500 (40ft). Full ICUMS customs clearance included. Quote returned within 24 hours.