Shipping restaurant equipment and salon equipment to Ghana involves more than booking freight. You need a forwarder who understands the cargo, the import rules and the last-mile realities in Accra, Tema, Kumasi and beyond. This guide explains how to move commercial kitchen gear, salon chairs, dryers and related items from the USA to Ghana, with practical steps and checklists.
What Counts as Restaurant Equipment and Salon Equipment
Restaurant equipment includes commercial ranges, ovens, refrigerators, freezers, prep tables, mixers, fryers, dishwashers, shelving and smallwares. Salon equipment covers styling chairs, shampoo bowls, dryers, steamers, trolleys, mirrors, shears and clippers. Both categories often include items that are bulky, heavy or fragile, so packing and handling matter. Guldstreet Shipping handles barrels, boxes, totes, suitcases and personal effects, as well as vehicles and heavy equipment. For commercial cargo like restaurant or salon setups, we quote per job based on volume, weight and destination.
Choosing Between Full Container and Shared Container
For a complete restaurant or salon fit-out, a full container load (FCL) is usually the most efficient. You control the loading, reduce handling and can mix equipment with personal effects if needed. If you are shipping a smaller quantity, such as a few chairs and dryers, a shared container (LCL) can work. LCL means your goods share space with other shipments, so packing must be robust. Guldstreet Shipping offers both FCL and LCL to Ghana. We also handle heavy equipment and machinery via RoRo, flat rack, open top or breakbulk as the cargo requires.
Documentation and Import Rules for Ghana
Ghana enforces the GS 4510 standard for vehicle imports from October 1, 2026, which requires pre-shipment inspection and a Certificate of Conformity. While this applies to vehicles, it signals that Ghana customs is tightening compliance. For restaurant and salon equipment, ensure you have proper invoices, packing lists and any required permits. If you are shipping vehicles as part of your business, note that China to Ghana vehicle rates apply for fuel and hybrid HEV only, with valid export documentation. Rates are 3,500 USD for a large SUV or pickup, 2,800 USD for a compact SUV, 2,350 USD for a large sedan and 1,700 USD for a compact sedan. Add 500 USD per vehicle if export documentation is not available. USA and Canada vehicle, equipment and container shipments are quoted per job.
Packaging and Preparing Equipment for Ocean Transit
Ocean transit exposes cargo to moisture, movement and stacking. Use these steps to prepare your restaurant or salon equipment:
- Clean and dry all equipment. Food residue or hair can attract pests and cause customs delays.
- Drain fluids from any equipment with tanks or lines, such as steamers or fryers.
- Remove or secure loose parts, glass, mirrors and small accessories. Pack them separately in padded boxes.
- Use crates for heavy or irregular items. Label each crate with contents and destination.
- For salon chairs, wrap and strap moving parts. For restaurant ranges, protect gas lines and valves.
- Consider moisture absorbers and desiccants inside crates for long sea voyages.
Guldstreet Shipping offers door-to-door pickup of barrels, boxes, totes, suitcases and personal effects across NYC and New Jersey. We can also arrange pickup in Philadelphia. If you are shipping from other parts of the USA, Canada or China, contact us for a quote.
Cost Factors for Restaurant Equipment Ghana and Salon Equipment Shipping Ghana
There is no single rate for commercial equipment because volume, weight, origin and destination vary. Guldstreet Shipping quotes per job for equipment and container shipments from the USA and Canada. For China to Ghana vehicle shipments, the rates above apply. For barrels and boxes, we publish rates: a 55-gallon barrel to Ghana is 190 USD, which includes door pickup in NYC, NJ and Philadelphia, ocean freight to Tema, customs clearance at Tema, Ghana import duties on personal effects, and door delivery in Accra and Tema. Delivery to other Ghana cities such as Kumasi or Takoradi is quoted separately before booking. For restaurant or salon equipment, we will provide a written quote after reviewing your inventory.
Last-Mile Delivery in Ghana
Getting your equipment from Tema or Kotoka to your premises requires a delivery plan. Guldstreet Shipping offers last-mile delivery: collection from Tema, Takoradi, Kotoka cargo terminal or consolidator warehouses with door delivery anywhere in Ghana, including cargo shipped by other companies. We also provide local pickup and delivery across NYC, NJ and Philadelphia. Last-mile delivery is quoted per delivery. For restaurant equipment, ensure your site has access for large trucks and equipment for unloading. For salon equipment, consider inside delivery if you do not have a loading dock.
Booking and Payment
To confirm a pickup, Guldstreet Shipping requires a 30 percent deposit. Deposits can be paid by Zelle, Cash App, bank transfer or card. We do not accept cash for deposits. Every invoice shows a card/PayPal price and a 3 percent lower non-card price. Non-card options include Zelle, Cash App, bank transfer, or cash to the driver at pickup for barrel and box shipments only. For vehicles, heavy equipment, containers or commercial cargo, we do not accept cash; card payments are welcome.
If you are shipping for Christmas, note the 2026 booking cutoffs: November 28 for New York City and New Jersey pickups; November 25 for Philadelphia pickups. Estimated arrival is December 20 to 24. Book and pay your deposit by those dates to secure space.
Why Use a Freight Forwarder for Commercial Equipment
Commercial equipment shipments involve customs, duties and handling that differ from personal effects. A forwarder manages the documentation, coordinates with carriers and clears customs. Guldstreet Shipping is a New York-based boutique global shipping company that ships everything from barrels and personal items to cars and trucks to West Africa. We also handle commodities shipping for licensed exporters and importers, moving soft and hard commodities between Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, Togo, Burkina Faso and the USA, plus bulk food staples and building materials into Ghana. We do not handle gold, silver, diamonds or precious stones, crude oil, LNG or refined petroleum, or live animals.
Next Steps
Start by inventorying your equipment. Note dimensions, weight and whether items are fragile. Then contact Guldstreet Shipping for a written quote. We will advise on container vs shared container, packing requirements and delivery options. For a quick estimate, use our instant price estimate tool as a guide, but confirm current prices and get a written quote from our team. Ready to ship? Call Guldstreet Shipping at +1 (551) 800-2125 or request a free quote online.