Question 1

What taxes and duties will I have to pay when my car from Dubai arrives at Tema port in Ghana?

Accepted Answer

Importing a brand-new car into Ghana attracts import duty calculated on the CIF value of the vehicle — that is, the cost of the car plus insurance and freight to Tema. On top of import duty, buyers typically face additional levies such as VAT, the NHIL, the GETFund levy, and an ECOWAS Trade Levy, all of which are assessed on the duty-inclusive value. Because the combined tax burden can be substantial, it is worth getting a precise landed-cost estimate before committing to an order. Beyond Autos can provide a proforma invoice showing the CIF value, which a licensed Ghanaian customs broker can then use to calculate the exact duty and levy amounts applicable at the time of clearance.

Question 2

Does Ghana charge any extra fees on high-value or luxury vehicles imported from outside the country?

Accepted Answer

Ghana Customs does not publish a separate luxury-car surcharge in the way some other countries do, but the duty and levy stack is applied as a percentage of the CIF value, meaning a more expensive vehicle automatically generates a proportionally higher tax bill. Buyers importing premium or high-specification vehicles from Dubai should therefore expect their total landed cost to rise noticeably above the base vehicle price once all port charges, duties, and levies are compounded. It is advisable to request a detailed cost breakdown from both Beyond Autos and a licensed clearing agent in Accra before finalising any purchase decision.

Question 3

What paperwork do I need to provide from my end, and what documents will arrive with the car from Dubai?

Accepted Answer

From the buyer's side, a clear copy of a valid passport and proof of Ghanaian residency or citizenship is typically required to initiate the import process. Beyond Autos, as a Jafza-licensed Dubai exporter, supplies a package of export documents that travel with the vehicle, including the original manufacturer's certificate of origin, a UAE export certificate, the commercial or proforma invoice showing the declared CIF value, and the bill of lading issued by the shipping line once the car is loaded at Jebel Ali. On arrival at Tema, the clearing agent uses the bill of lading and invoice to lodge the import entry with Ghana Customs, so it is critical that the declared value on the invoice matches the actual transaction price.

Question 4

What documents will I receive after clearing customs, and how does vehicle registration in Ghana work after that?

Accepted Answer

Once customs duties and levies are paid and the vehicle is released at Tema, the importer receives a customs entry document confirming clearance, and the original bill of lading is surrendered in exchange for the car. The buyer then takes the customs clearance certificate, the certificate of origin, and the commercial invoice to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) in Ghana to commence registration. The DVLA issues a roadworthy certificate following an inspection, and a Ghana number plate is then assigned. Keeping all original documents intact and undamaged throughout the shipping and clearing process is essential, as the DVLA requires originals rather than photocopies for first registration.

Question 5

What does the end-to-end process look like from the moment I order a car from Beyond Autos to the day I collect it in Ghana?

Accepted Answer

The process begins with confirming the vehicle specification and agreeing on the FOB or CIF price with Beyond Autos, followed by the buyer making payment and the car being prepared for export from Jebel Ali port in Dubai. Beyond Autos handles the UAE export documentation and arranges loading onto either a RoRo vessel or inside a container, depending on the buyer's preference and budget. Once the vessel sails, the buyer receives the bill of lading and can begin arranging a licensed customs clearing agent at Tema to handle port entry, duty payment, and physical release of the vehicle. Typical bottlenecks include delays in vessel berthing at Tema and the time it takes Ghana Customs to process the import entry, so buyers should build in buffer time beyond the quoted transit period.

Question 6

Do I need to hire a clearing agent in Ghana, or can I clear the car myself at Tema port?

Accepted Answer

Ghana Customs regulations require that import entries at Tema be lodged through a licensed clearing agent who is registered with the Ghana Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority. Attempting to clear a vehicle without a licensed agent is not permitted for most individual importers, so engaging a reputable clearing agent in Accra or Tema is a practical necessity rather than an option. The clearing agent will require the full set of documents that Beyond Autos provides — bill of lading, invoice, certificate of origin, and export certificate — and will guide the importer through duty assessment and physical inspection. Beyond Autos does not operate in Ghana directly, so identifying a trustworthy local agent before the ship departs Dubai is strongly recommended.

Question 7

Are there any restrictions on the age or specification of cars that Ghana allows to be imported from Dubai?

Accepted Answer

Ghana enforces a vehicle age restriction on imported cars, and at the time of writing used vehicles above a certain age threshold are prohibited or attract additional scrutiny. Because Beyond Autos ships only brand-new vehicles direct from manufacturer stock, age-limit rules do not apply to a new-car purchase, which removes one of the most common compliance headaches for Ghanaian importers. Ghana drives on the right-hand side of the road, and the majority of vehicles sold in the UAE are left-hand drive by default, so most new cars exported from Dubai are already correctly configured for Ghanaian traffic. Buyers should confirm the exact steering configuration with Beyond Autos at the time of order to avoid any registration issues with the DVLA.

Question 8

Does Ghana have specific emissions or homologation standards that a car bought in Dubai must meet before it can be registered?

Accepted Answer

Ghana does not operate a strict type-approval homologation regime equivalent to the EU or Japan, but vehicles must pass the DVLA roadworthy inspection before receiving a registration plate. Brand-new cars exported from the UAE generally meet or exceed the emissions and safety standards enforced in West Africa, and new models from mainstream manufacturers are unlikely to face technical rejection at the roadworthy stage. However, buyers of highly modified or very bespoke specifications should check with Beyond Autos whether the particular build complies with DVLA inspection criteria, as non-standard lighting, odometer units, or seatbelt configurations have occasionally caused delays at inspection in West African markets.

Question 9

How long does it take to ship a car from Dubai to Ghana, and how often do vessels sail on that route?

Accepted Answer

The sea transit from Jebel Ali in Dubai to Tema port in Ghana typically runs in the range of 14 to 21 days under normal sailing conditions, though vessel schedules, transshipment hubs, and port congestion can push the actual door-to-port timeline longer. RoRo services on the West Africa trade lane generally operate on a multi-week frequency, meaning buyers may need to wait for the next available sailing after their vehicle is ready at Jebel Ali. The Indian Ocean and Gulf of Aden leg of the voyage can be affected by seasonal weather patterns, and the final leg around the West African coast adds further transit days. Beyond Autos can advise on current vessel schedules and next available loading windows at the time of order.

Question 10

Is it better to ship my car from Dubai to Tema in a container or on a RoRo vessel, and what are the cost and safety differences?

Accepted Answer

RoRo shipping, where the car is driven onto a dedicated car-carrier vessel and secured in the hold, is generally the more economical option and is widely used on the Jebel Ali to West Africa route. Container shipping costs more because the vehicle is loaded inside a 20-foot or 40-foot steel container, but it provides a higher level of protection against weather, salt spray, and potential handling damage at intermediate ports. For a brand-new vehicle representing a significant investment, many buyers opt for container shipping to reduce the risk of cosmetic damage during the voyage to Tema. Beyond Autos offers both options, and the choice often comes down to the buyer's budget versus their risk tolerance for minor transit damage.

Export new cars to Ghana from Dubai

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About the Ghana market

Export New Cars For Sale in Dubai From Jebel Ali Free Zone to Ghana

Shipping to Ghana

Import regulations

Duty and Tax Stack

Documentation and Clearance

Key points

Documents you'll need

Importing to Ghana