Buying car parts from the USA for Ghana: get the right part first time
How to find the right part number with your VIN before you order car parts from the USA, what duty Ghana charges on them, and how to get them to Accra.
By the Landed team · · 5 min read
To buy the right car part from the USA, start with your car's vehicle identification number (VIN), not just the make and model. Use the VIN to confirm the exact model, year and engine, then find the part number that fits, and order by that number. Many car parts pay no import duty in Ghana: on 2 November 2026, the Ghana Revenue Authority's lookup showed 0% duty on many parts, including brake pads, filters and spark plugs, and 10% on tyres. VAT and levies still apply.
Ordering from abroad takes weeks, so a wrong part is expensive. Here is how to get it right first time.
Step 1: Find your car's VIN
The VIN is the car's unique identification number. In Ghana, your vehicle documents may call it the chassis number. It is also marked on the car itself.
Write it down carefully. The US road safety agency, NHTSA, notes that the ninth character of a VIN is a check digit, calculated from the others, which helps catch a VIN that has been copied wrongly.
Step 2: Decode the VIN
NHTSA runs a free VIN decoder. Type in the VIN and it shows the information encoded in the number, such as the make, model, model year and where the car was built. It accepts a full or partial VIN.
This matters because the same model name can cover different engines, gearboxes and trims, and a part that fits one may not fit another. If the decoder shows the car was built for the US market, US parts for that exact model, year and engine are the ones to look for.
Step 3: Find the part number
The part number is what you order by. Ways to find it:
- From the old part. Many parts have the number stamped or printed on them. Take a clear photo before you throw anything away.
- From a dealer's parts department. Give them the VIN and ask for the part number.
- From the parts website. Many US parts websites let you enter the VIN, or the year, make, model and engine, and show only the parts listed to fit. Check the fit notes, which often say things like "front" or "with sport package".
- From your mechanic. Ask them to write down exactly which part is needed, and which side of the car.
When you have the number, search for it directly. The same part is often sold under several listings.
Genuine (OEM) or aftermarket?
You will see two kinds of part for sale:
- OEM parts are made by, or for, the car's maker, and are the same as the parts the car was built with. They usually carry the car maker's brand and part number.
- Aftermarket parts are made by other companies to fit the same cars. Quality and price vary from brand to brand.
For anything that affects safety, such as brakes, steering and suspension, buy from a known brand and a known seller. For service parts such as filters and wipers, a well-known aftermarket brand can be a sensible choice. Either way, order by the part number and check the listing says it fits your VIN.
Use a scanner before you buy
When a warning light comes on, the fault is not always the part you suspect. An OBD2 scanner plugs into the car's diagnostic socket and reads the fault codes the car has stored. Read the codes, and have a mechanic check the cause, before you order. It is a small step that can save you from shipping the wrong part.
What duty do you pay on car parts in Ghana?
Duty depends on the part's HS code. These are the rates the Ghana Revenue Authority's HS code lookup showed on 2 November 2026:
| Part | HS heading | Import duty |
|---|---|---|
| Parts such as bumpers, brakes, gearboxes and radiators | 8708 | 0% |
| Spark plugs and starter motors | 8511 | 0% |
| Oil and air filters | 8421 | 0% |
| Brake pads | 6813 | 0% |
| Car tyres | 4011 | 10% |
A 0% duty rate does not mean the part comes in free. Levies, VAT, NHIL and the GETFund levy are still charged, on the value of the part plus the shipping. Our guide on how to calculate import duty in Ghana works through an example.
Two more rules to know:
- Returning residents get no break on parts. The GRA lists motor vehicle spare parts among the goods that do not qualify for the returning resident's exemption.
- EasyPASS applies to parts. Since 1 July 2026, the Ghana Standards Authority's EasyPASS check has been mandatory for applicable imports, and its list includes vehicle spare parts. The check happens before shipment, in the country the goods come from.
Common mistakes
- Ordering by model name only. Always match the VIN or the part number.
- Forgetting which side. Headlights, mirrors and many suspension parts come as left and right.
- Ignoring the fit notes. "Fits 2015–2018" may still exclude some engines or trims.
- Buying one part at a time. Some jobs need several parts at once, such as brake pads and discs. Ask your mechanic for the full list, and order it in one go.
- Sending oils and fluids by post. Liquids have shipping limits. Our guide to what you cannot ship to Ghana explains.
Get car parts from the USA delivered to Accra
Landed buys car parts from US stores, ships them, clears them through Ghana customs and holds them at our Accra showroom. You pay one all-in price in cedis, agreed before you pay, covering the parts, the shipping, the duty and clearing, and our service. The price is locked once your deposit is in.
- Send us the part number or a link to the exact part, with your car's VIN, and get a price.
- Pay at least half as a deposit by MoMo or card.
- Collect in Accra. We send a WhatsApp message the day the order lands. You or your own driver with the order number can pick it up, or we can arrange a driver.
Liquids need special handling, so we tell you before you pay if something has to travel by sea or cannot travel at all. As of 2 November 2026, our orders from the USA take about 25 days by air and 45 to 90 days by sea.
Browse car parts and accessories and cars, trucks and motorbikes. For buying from US stores in general, see our guide to shipping from the USA to Ghana.
