Prohibited by US Export Law & Guldstreet Policy
The following items will not be accepted under any circumstances. Attempting to ship prohibited items may result in seizure, fines, and legal action.
- Firearms, weapons, and ammunition of any kind
- Illegal drugs and controlled substances
- Counterfeit goods and pirated media
- Hazardous materials, explosives, flammable liquids, corrosives, compressed gases
- Live animals or plants
- Human remains
- Pornographic material of any kind
- Goods that infringe on intellectual property rights
Restricted Items, Prior Approval Required
The following items may be shipped but require special documentation or prior approval before booking is confirmed. Contact us first.
- Prescription medications, must provide a valid prescription
- Large quantities of food items, must comply with Ghana FDA, Togolese, or Ivorian import requirements
- Used motor vehicles, require title documents and proof of ownership
- High-value electronics (over $2,500 declared value), cargo insurance required
- Alcohol and tobacco, subject to destination customs duties and import limits
- Cash and currency, do not ship cash; send money by Cash App or PayPal
- Commercial quantities of goods, contact us for a commercial freight quote
Prohibited by Ghana Customs Authority
Ghana's official import prohibition list includes additional categories set by Ghanaian law. Common prohibitions include:
- Goods on Ghana's official import prohibition list (see GCA.gov.gh for the current list)
- Used tyres (unless approved)
- Frozen poultry from countries with active avian flu advisories
- Second-hand underwear and footwear
Togo & Ivory Coast Restrictions
Togo and Ivory Coast have their own customs authorities and import restriction lists. Rules are broadly similar to Ghana's but differ on specific categories. When shipping to Lomé or Abidjan, contact us before packing any items you are unsure about.
When In Doubt
If you are unsure whether your item can be shipped, contact us on WhatsApp at +1 (551) 800-2125 before you pack. Attempting to ship a prohibited item, even unintentionally, may result in your entire shipment being held, seized, or returned at your cost. We cannot refund freight charges for shipments held due to prohibited contents.
Common Items People Ask About
These are the items customers most frequently ask about before packing:
- Clothing (used): Permitted. Clean, used personal clothing is the most common barrel content. No commercial quantities.
- Food (sealed, commercially labelled): Generally permitted. Homemade or unsealed food products may be rejected at Ghana Customs. Confirm before packing perishables.
- Electronics (personal use): Permitted with serial numbers on your packing list. Quantities that suggest resale may be assessed as commercial goods.
- Mattresses (used): Restricted. Ghana Customs has periodically prohibited used mattresses. Confirm current rules with our team before packing.
- Power tools and machinery: Generally permitted for personal use. Commercial quantities require a commercial freight invoice and may attract higher duty.
- Supplements and vitamins: Permitted in reasonable quantities with original, unopened packaging. Must be for personal use only.
- Children's toys: Permitted. New or used is acceptable for personal-effects shipments.
- Shoes (used): New shoes are permitted. Second-hand footwear is restricted under Ghana Customs rules. Confirm before packing.
- Cosmetics and personal care products: Permitted in reasonable personal-use quantities. Aerosols are restricted for air freight and must go by sea.
- Frozen or refrigerated goods: Not accepted. We do not have refrigerated freight capacity on this route.
Packing List and Customs Declaration
Every barrel and box you ship with Guldstreet must include a complete packing list with item descriptions and approximate values. This is required by Ghana Customs and protects you from unexpected duty assessments. Understating values or omitting items on your packing list is a customs offense. See the Ghana Customs and Import Duties guide for details on how customs duties are calculated and what documents you need.