Tema Port — Ghana's Gateway for Diaspora Freight
All commercial sea freight and vehicle shipments from the United States arrive at Tema Port (also called the Port of Tema), located in Tema, Greater Accra Region — about 25 km east of Accra's city center. Tema is operated by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) and is the largest port in Ghana by volume.
Tema handles both containerized cargo (barrels, personal effects) and Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) vehicle shipments. It is well-equipped for diaspora freight, with established customs clearance processes and a large network of licensed clearing agents.
Can Shipments Go Beyond Accra?
Yes. While Tema Port is the arrival point, Guldstreet's door-to-door service can arrange inland delivery anywhere in Ghana — Kumasi, Takoradi, Cape Coast, Tamale, Ho, Sunyani, and surrounding towns. Inland delivery adds time and cost, which we quote upfront based on destination.
If your recipient is in Accra or the Greater Accra Region, they can typically collect from Tema directly after customs clearance.
Current Shipping Conditions NYC → Ghana
Ocean freight from the U.S. East Coast to West Africa experienced significant disruptions between 2020 and 2023 (COVID-related congestion, container shortages, and Red Sea rerouting in 2024). As of 2025, sailings have largely normalized, with weekly departures from Port Newark. Transit times are stable at 28–35 days for barrel consolidation shipments.
Vehicle shipping via RoRo is also stable, with Wallenius Wilhelmsen, Grimaldi, and UECC operating regular services from the New York/New Jersey area to Tema.
What Happens After Your Shipment Arrives at Tema?
Once the vessel docks, your shipment is offloaded and placed in a holding area (for containers) or vehicle compound (for RoRo). The recipient must work with a licensed customs clearing agent to:
- Submit the import declaration
- Pay applicable duties and fees
- Obtain customs release
- Collect the goods or vehicle
Guldstreet can recommend clearing agents we trust at Tema Port — agents who know our containers and respond quickly. Ask us when you book your shipment.
Ghana's Import Regulations — What's Changed
Ghana periodically updates its import regulations, vehicle age limits, and duty rates. Key current rules for diaspora shippers:
- Vehicle age limit: Vehicles must not be older than 10 years from the year of manufacture
- Prohibited items: Firearms, ammunition, narcotics, counterfeit goods, and certain used mattresses/electronics are prohibited
- Import Declaration (IDF): Required for all commercial and vehicle shipments
- Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR): Required for vehicle imports — GRA uses this to pre-assess duty before the vessel arrives
Sending Money vs Sending Goods
A common question: is it cheaper to send money to Ghana to buy goods locally, or to ship them from New York? For many categories — especially American brand products, electronics, certain foods, and clothing — shipping from New York remains significantly cheaper than buying equivalent goods in Ghana. The math typically works in the shipper's favor for barrels valued at $800–$1,500 in goods, where the duty-plus-freight cost is still well below Ghanaian retail prices.
Call Guldstreet at +1 (551) 800 2125 to talk through whether shipping or buying locally makes more sense for your specific situation.