How to Ship from the USA to Ghana: Choose Your Method
| Method | Best for | Starting price | Timing | Arrives at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55-Gal Barrel | Clothing, food, household goods, personal effects | $190 (Ghana) | Confirmed at booking | Tema Port |
| Boxes & Totes | Small or mixed items | From $40 | Confirmed at booking | Tema Port |
| Appliances & Furniture | Washing machines, fridges, sofas, beds | From $120 | Confirmed at booking | Tema Port |
| Full Container (FCL) | Large home moves, business imports | From $5,450 (20ft) | Confirmed at booking | Tema Port |
| Vehicle Shipping | Cars, trucks, SUVs | From $1,400 | Confirmed at booking | Tema Port |
| Air Freight | Urgent, high-value, or small cargo | Quote required | 5-10 business days | Kotoka Airport, Accra |
All ocean transit times are estimates based on standard sailing schedules. Actual arrival depends on the vessel, port congestion, and customs processing. We confirm your vessel departure and estimated arrival in writing when your cargo sails.
What Pickup and Delivery Actually Means
When Guldstreet says door-to-door, here is exactly what is covered:
- US pickup: We come to your address anywhere from Boston to Washington DC. You do not drop anything off.
- Ocean freight: Your cargo travels in a shared or dedicated container from a US port to Tema.
- Tema Port customs clearance: We handle all Ghana Revenue Authority paperwork and pay customs duties on personal-effects shipments. Duties on commercial cargo and vehicles are handled separately and quoted in writing.
- Ghana delivery: We deliver to your recipient's door in Accra, Tema, Kumasi, Takoradi, and other major cities. Remote areas may carry a delivery surcharge, confirmed before booking.
We do not handle international relocation of household goods in the same way as a moving company. We handle individual-item shipments and grouped container loads for the diaspora and small business market.
Where We Pick Up in the USA
Our regular pickup schedule covers:
- New York City: All five boroughs, plus Yonkers, Long Island, and Westchester
- New Jersey: Newark, Jersey City, Paterson, Irvington, Elizabeth, Trenton, and the full NJ metro area
- Philadelphia area: Philadelphia, Chester PA, and Upper Darby PA
If you are outside these areas, contact us. We can discuss warehouse drop-off, freight partner pickup in other US states, or an alternative arrangement. We do not want to lose your shipment because of geography.
Real Price Examples (Effective October 2026)
These are the prices in effect as of October 2026. A final price is confirmed in writing before pickup. Prices can change with fuel costs, carrier rates, and port fees.
- 55-gallon barrel from Newark, NJ to Accra, Ghana: $190. Includes door pickup, ocean freight, Tema customs clearance on personal effects, and door delivery in Accra or Tema.
- Toyota Camry or similar mid-size sedan from a US auction to Tema Port: from $1,600. Includes export documents, ocean freight, and Tema customs handling. Ghana import duty is assessed separately by customs and paid by the recipient.
- 20ft container from New York or New Jersey to Tema, door to port: from $5,450 (40ft from $6,250). Written quote, valid 30 days. See container shipping from New York to Ghana for what is included.
See the full Guldstreet Shipping Rates page for all current prices.
What to Prepare Before You Ship
Having these ready speeds up booking and reduces customs delays:
- Your name, phone number, and US pickup address
- Recipient name, phone number, and Ghana delivery address or nearest landmark
- A packing list: what is in each barrel or box, with approximate values
- A copy of your government-issued photo ID (passport or driver's license)
- For vehicles: the US title, bill of sale, and any lien release
- For commercial cargo: commercial invoice, packing list, and HS codes if known
See the full Ghana Customs and Import Duties guide for duty rates, prohibited items, and how to avoid common mistakes at Tema Port.
Prohibited and Restricted Items
Ghana Customs prohibits certain goods entirely and restricts others. The most common items that cause delays or seizures are:
- Counterfeit goods of any kind
- Illegal firearms, ammunition, or explosives
- Narcotics and controlled substances
- Used mattresses (restricted; check current rules with our team)
- Certain food products without proper labelling
- Goods subject to Ghana import bans (which change; we confirm current rules at booking)
See the complete Prohibited Items list before packing.
Ghana Delivery Coverage
We deliver to Greater Accra (same or next day after port clearance), Tema, Kumasi, Takoradi, Cape Coast, Ho, Tamale, Sunyani, Bolgatanga, Wa, Techiman, and Koforidua. For areas not listed, contact us for a delivery quote. We work with reliable in-country partners for nationwide coverage.
About Guldstreet Shipping
Guldstreet Shipping is a New York-based freight company specializing in USA-to-West-Africa shipping for the diaspora community and small businesses. Our operations are based in the New York metro area. We work with licensed ocean freight carriers and licensed Ghana customs clearing agents at Tema Port. All booking terms are confirmed in a written Shipping Agreement before any pickup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Guldstreet ship from all US states?
Door pickup runs any day in NYC, NJ and Philadelphia, and on scheduled Saturdays in the DMV, the rest of Pennsylvania, Delaware and New England (minimum 2 barrels or boxes). Customers in other states can contact us about warehouse delivery, freight partner pickup, or another arrangement.
Is customs duty included in the barrel price?
For personal-effects barrel shipments, Ghana import duty on household goods and clothing is included. Duty on new or commercial goods is assessed separately by Ghana Customs and is the responsibility of the recipient.
How long does ocean shipping from New York to Ghana take?
Timing depends on the vessel and the sailing schedule. We confirm the vessel and estimated arrival when your cargo sails and update you after clearance.
Can I track my shipment?
Yes. We provide tracking updates by WhatsApp at each major stage: pickup, container loaded, vessel departed, Tema arrival, customs cleared, and out for delivery.
What is the difference between a barrel and a box?
Barrels are the standard container for personal effects on this corridor. A 55-gallon barrel is roughly 300 lbs capacity and is the most common unit. Boxes, totes, and crates are priced differently. See the barrel shipping guide for packing tips.