Car Shipping Costs from the UK to Ghana (Tema) 2026 Prices, Duties & Rules

Quick Answer: Shipping a car from the UK to Ghana in 2026 costs from £858 via RoRo to Tema Port — West Africa’s most advanced container terminal. But the sea freight price is only part of the total cost. Ghana’s mandatory pre-shipment inspection, LHD-only rule, 10-year vehicle age limit, and layered import duty structure all affect what you actually pay. This guide covers everything, with verified figures, so you can plan your budget before booking.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car from the UK to Ghana in 2026?

The table below shows indicative sea freight costs for shipping to Tema Port. These are port-to-port costs — they do not include Ghanaian import duty, VAT, levies, or destination clearance fees.

What’s included in the freight price: UK origin port charges, ocean freight to Tema, Bill of Lading, UK export customs declaration (handled by Ship Cars Ltd), and expert shipment support. Everything else is payable in Ghana.

What’s NOT included: Ghanaian import duty, VAT, NHIL/GET Fund levies, ECOWAS levy, pre-shipment inspection fee, Tema port handling, and clearing agent fees.

What Are Ghana’s Import Duty and Tax Costs?

This is where most people get a shock — and where accurate budgeting matters most. Ghana’s import duty structure is administered by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and calculated on the vehicle’s CIF value (cost + insurance + freight).

Practical example: On a vehicle with a CIF value of £8,000, import duty alone (at 20%) would be £1,600 — before VAT and levies. Total tax burden in Ghana can represent 35–50%+ of the vehicle’s declared value for higher-value imports.

→ Always verify current duty rates with the Ghana Revenue Authority at gra.gov.gh before shipping. Rates are subject to change.

Can I Ship a Right-Hand Drive UK Car to Ghana?

No — and this is the single most important rule for UK shippers.

Ghana drives on the right side of the road. Only left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles can be imported and registered. Every standard UK-registered car is right-hand drive and is therefore ineligible for registration in Ghana.

Before booking, confirm your vehicle is LHD specification. UK traders exporting vehicles to Ghana must source LHD vehicles — typically European or American market specification cars.

What Is Ghana’s Vehicle Age Limit for Imports?

Ghana enforces a strict 10-year age limit from the date of manufacture. Vehicles manufactured more than ten years before the import date cannot be cleared through Tema Port.

For 2026 shipments: Your vehicle must have been manufactured in 2016 or later to be eligible.

This applies regardless of condition, mileage, or value. A 2015 vehicle — however well-maintained — will be refused import. Check the manufacture date on the V5C logbook before proceeding.

What Is Ghana’s Mandatory Pre-Shipment Inspection — and What Does It Cost?

Ghana requires a mandatory pre-shipment inspection conducted in the UK before the vehicle sails. This is not optional — without the Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate, your vehicle will face serious clearance difficulties at Tema Port.

What the inspection covers:

• Vehicle identity verification (VIN/chassis number against documents)
• Vehicle age confirmation — must meet the 10-year limit
• Declared value assessment (used by the GRA to calculate import duty)
• Physical condition check

Approved inspection agencies:

Inspections are managed under Ghana’s UNIPASS customs system, typically conducted by Bureau Veritas, Intertek, or SGS.

Timelines and cost:

• Allow 5–10 working days from booking the inspection to receiving the certificate
• The fee is charged directly by the inspection agency and is not included in Ship Cars Ltd’s freight quote
• The inspection must be completed before the vessel departs — confirm your sailing date with Ship Cars Ltd first, then book the inspection

→ Verify the current approved agencies with the GRA at gra.gov.gh before booking.

How Long Does Car Shipping from the UK to Ghana Take?

Sea transit from the UK to Tema Port takes approximately 6–23 days, with sailings operating three times per month.

Plan ahead. The pre-shipment inspection and customs clearance in Ghana are the two stages most likely to extend the timeline if paperwork is incomplete.

What Documents Do You Need to Ship a Car to Ghana from the UK?

UK export documents (required before sailing):

• V5C logbook — original (do not leave inside the vehicle)
• Passport copy — photo page of vehicle owner
• Proof of address — utility bill or bank statement, under 3 months old
• Purchase invoice — proof of vehicle value for customs
• Completed Ship Cars Ltd booking form
• Vehicle Condition Report — free if Ship Cars Ltd collects; £35 if self-delivered

Documents needed at Tema for customs clearance:

• Original Bill of Lading
• Original V5C logbook
• Commercial invoice stating purchase price
• Certificate of Marine Insurance
• Copy of passport
• Freight invoice
• Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate

Ship Cars Ltd handles the UK export customs declaration. At the Tema end, engaging a licensed Ghanaian customs clearing agent is strongly recommended — they manage duty calculation, GRA tax payment, and all port clearance on your behalf.

→ Full document checklist: Documents Required for Exporting a Vehicle from the UK

How Does Ship Cars Ltd Handle UK-to-Ghana Shipments?

Ship Cars Ltd provides a complete, end-to-end UK export service for vehicles heading to Tema Port. Here is exactly what they manage:

• UK-wide vehicle collection — driven (trade plate insured) or transported, from any UK postcode
• UK export customs declaration — filed on your behalf, no action needed from you
• Pre-shipment inspection coordination — Ship Cars Ltd advises on timing and connects you with approved agencies
• Booking on established vessel routes — three sailings per month to Tema, on reliable carrier lines
• Bill of Lading and documentation pack — everything needed for Tema customs clearance
• Shipment tracking and expert support — from UK collection through to vessel departure
• Marine insurance options — total loss cover at 1% of declared value; comprehensive cover at 1.5% (comprehensive recommended for Ghana)

Sailings: Three times per month from UK departure ports to Tema Port.

→ Get a free Ghana shipping quote — response within 24 hours → View the current sailing schedule → Contact the Ship Cars Ltd team directly

Why Is Tema Port Ghana’s Preferred Vehicle Import Gateway?

Tema Port, located 25 kilometres east of Accra, is West Africa’s most modern and efficient seaport. For vehicle importers, it offers:

• Modern vehicle handling infrastructure with dedicated ro-ro berths
• Established GRA customs processing with a large and experienced clearing agent community
• Transit capability for landlocked ECOWAS states — vehicles destined for Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali frequently clear through Tema

This makes Tema not just Ghana’s gateway, but a strategic hub for the broader West African vehicle trade.

Ready to Ship? Don’t Waste a Quote — Know This First

Before you contact Ship Cars Ltd for a Ghana quote, run through this checklist. It saves time and avoids surprises:

•  Is your vehicle left-hand drive? (RHD vehicles cannot be registered in Ghana)
•  Was it manufactured in 2016 or later? (10-year age limit applies)
•  Have you budgeted for Ghanaian import duty (5–20% of CIF value), VAT (15%), and levies?
•  Have you allowed 5–10 working days for the mandatory pre-shipment inspection?
•  Do you have a licensed clearing agent in Tema arranged or in mind?

If you have ticked all five, you are ready to get an accurate quote.

Get your free Ghana shipping quote now → Need to speak to the team first? Contact Ship Cars Ltd → | Call: 01495 320540

Frequently Asked Questions — Car Shipping Costs UK to Ghana 2026

How much does it cost to ship a car from the UK to Ghana in 2026?

RoRo shipping from the UK to Tema Port, Ghana starts from £858 for a standard small LHD car. This covers port-to-port sea freight only. Ghanaian import duty (5–20% of CIF value), VAT (15%), NHIL/GETFund levies (2.5% each), ECOWAS levy (0.5%), pre-shipment inspection fee, port handling, and clearing agent fees are all payable separately in Ghana.

Can I ship a right-hand drive UK car to Ghana?

No. Ghana drives on the right and only left-hand drive (LHD) vehicles can be imported and registered. UK-registered vehicles are right-hand drive and are not eligible for registration in Ghana. All vehicles shipped to Tema must be LHD specification.

What is the age limit for importing a car to Ghana?

Ghana applies a strict 10-year age limit from the date of manufacture. For 2026 shipments, vehicles must have been manufactured in 2016 or later. Vehicles older than ten years will be refused import regardless of condition or value.

Is a pre-shipment inspection mandatory for Ghana?

Yes. All imported used vehicles require a mandatory pre-shipment inspection conducted in the UK before the vessel sails, by an approved agency such as Bureau Veritas, Intertek, or SGS under Ghana’s UNIPASS customs system. The Pre-Shipment Inspection Certificate is required for clearance at Tema Port. Allow 5–10 working days and arrange the inspection after confirming your sailing date.

How long does shipping from the UK to Ghana take?

Sea transit from the UK to Tema takes approximately 6–23 days, with three sailings per month. Including UK collection, pre-shipment inspection, and Ghanaian customs clearance, allow 6–8 weeks total from booking to your vehicle being released.

What shipping methods are available for Ghana?

Ship Cars Ltd offers RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) — the most cost-effective option for standard LHD roadworthy vehicles — and container shipping (FCL), which is required for high-value, electric, hybrid, or non-running vehicles. Container shipping costs approximately 20–40% more than RoRo to the same destination.

All freight prices are indicative costs for a standard small car and subject to change. Import duty, VAT, levies, and destination charges are not included. Verify current Ghana Revenue Authority duty rates at gra.gov.gh before booking. Last verified: October 2026.

Related reading:

• Car Shipping UK to Africa — Regional Costs Guide
• Car Shipping to Nigeria
• Car Shipping to Senegal
• RoRo vs Container Car Shipping — Which Is Right?
• Complete Guide to Import Duties When Shipping a Car Overseas
• International Car Shipping Costs from the UK