How to Pack a Barrel for Shipping to Ghana
Packing a barrel well protects your items through a 30-day ocean voyage, satisfies Ghana customs inspectors, and makes sure nothing shifts, breaks or leaks during transit.
Start With the Right Barrel
Use a food-grade, heavy-duty 55-gallon plastic drum with a removable lid and metal ring seal. These are designed for ocean freight. Do not use cardboard boxes or damaged barrels — they will not survive the voyage intact.
Layer Strategically: Heavy on the Bottom
- Bottom layer: Heaviest items — shoes, canned goods, cast iron pots, books
- Middle layers: Medium-weight — folded clothing, linens, packaged food
- Top layer: Lightest and most fragile — toiletries, medications, small electronics
Protect Fragile Items
- Wrap breakables in clothing or bubble wrap
- Never place glass directly against the barrel wall
- Seal liquids (shampoo, lotion, oil) in zip-lock bags before packing — lids loosen at sea
- Fill every gap with clothing or soft items to prevent shifting
Maximize Space
- Roll clothing instead of folding — more efficient and fewer wrinkles
- Pack socks and small items inside shoes
- Fill pots with smaller items
- Stuff pillowcases with clothing before packing
Common Packing Mistakes
- Packing prohibited items
- Leaving air gaps — goods will shift and break
- Not sealing liquids in bags
- Using newspapers as padding — ink bleeds on clothing in humid conditions
- Forgetting the packing list
If you're unsure about any item, call Guldstreet at +1 (551) 800 2125 before sealing the barrel.
Related guide: Read our complete NYC–Ghana Shipping Guide for everything you need to know about shipping personal effects from New York to Ghana.