Cost to Ship a Car from the UK to Ghana in 2026

The vast majority of vehicles imported into Ghana arrive at the Port of Tema, located just east of the capital Accra, which handles the country's primary vehicle import traffic alongside general cargo. A smaller volume moves through the Port of Takoradi in the west, though Tema remains the standard destination for UK exporters given its established infrastructure and clearing agent network.

Vehicles typically ship from Tilbury, Southampton, or Sheerness, and both RORO and container shipping are widely available on the UK-to-Ghana route, reflecting the strong and long-established trade relationship between the two countries, driven substantially by Ghana's large UK diaspora community regularly shipping vehicles home.

RORO shipping from the UK to Tema typically costs between £850 and £1,500 for a standard vehicle, making Ghana one of the more affordable West African destinations for UK exporters. Shared container shipping generally ranges from £1,300 to £2,100, while dedicated containers run from £2,100 to £3,400 depending on vehicle size and current market rates.

Transit time on this route typically runs between 14 and 20 days, with regular sailings available given the high trade volume between the UK and Ghana. This relatively short transit time and strong route frequency make Ghana one of the more predictable and straightforward long-haul export destinations from the UK.

Ghana permits the import of used vehicles up to 10 years old from the year of manufacture, a somewhat more generous threshold than several neighbouring East African markets. However, vehicles that are between 10 and 20 years old can still be imported but are subject to a significant penalty levy on top of standard import duty, calculated as a percentage surcharge that increases with vehicle age, while vehicles older than 20 years are generally prohibited from import altogether except under specific exemptions.

This tiered system means it's important to check your vehicle's exact age against current Ghana Revenue Authority guidelines before shipping, as a vehicle just over the 10-year threshold can attract meaningfully higher total costs than one just under it, even if the vehicles are otherwise very similar.

Ghana applies import duty on passenger vehicles typically ranging from 5% to 20% depending on engine capacity, calculated on the customs-assessed value using the Ghana Revenue Authority's valuation database. This is supplemented by a standard 15% VAT, a National Health Insurance Levy of 2.5%, a GETFund Levy of 2.5%, and an ECOWAS Community Levy of 0.5%, all applied cumulatively to the duty-inclusive value.

For vehicles in the 10-to-20-year penalty bracket, an additional age-related surcharge is applied, which can add a substantial percentage on top of the standard duty structure. Combined, these charges mean total effective taxation on an imported vehicle in Ghana can range from roughly 40% for newer, smaller-engined vehicles under 10 years old to well over 100% for older vehicles falling into the higher penalty bands.

Ghana drives on the right and uses left-hand-drive vehicles for domestic road use, meaning standard UK right-hand-drive vehicles are not permitted for import in most circumstances, with the notable exception of specific commercial and specialist vehicle categories. This is an important consideration for UK exporters, as it generally means UK-market cars purchased new in Britain cannot be shipped to Ghana for personal use, and buyers should instead source left-hand-drive vehicles, commonly available through UK-based dealers specialising in continental European imports intended for re-export.

Many members of Ghana's UK diaspora community specifically purchase left-hand-drive vehicles from mainland Europe or specialist UK importers with export in mind, rather than attempting to convert or ship standard UK-market cars.

Given the age-related penalty structure and the left-hand-drive requirement, careful vehicle selection is just as important as choosing the right shipping method for a successful, cost-effective shipment to Ghana. See our related guide on shipping to Nigeria for a comparison of the West African market.

At The Ship Cars, our team can help confirm your vehicle's eligibility, estimate accurate landed costs including all applicable levies, and recommend the best shipping method for your budget and timeline. Get a free quote for your Ghana shipment today.