Shipping from the USA to Ghana: air or sea, cost and how long

American stores sell things that Ghana's shops often don't stock, or sell for a lot more: the newest iPhones and MacBooks, genuine car parts, skincare and baby gear. Getting them here means choosing between air and sea, paying duty, and avoiding a few traps that catch first-time buyers.

Air or sea?

Air suits small, valuable things you want sooner: phones, laptops, watches, cosmetics and small parts. Sea suits heavy or bulky things, where flying would cost more than the item is worth: furniture, appliances, tyres and gym equipment.

As of 2 November 2026, our orders from the USA take about 25 days by air and 45 to 90 days by sea, from the day we buy to arrival in Accra. That is longer than the flight or the sailing alone, because it covers the store's own delivery inside the USA, our weekly batch, the journey itself and clearing customs in Ghana.

How shipping is charged

By air: weight or size, whichever is more

Air freight is charged by weight, but a big, light box is charged as if it were heavier, using a "volume weight" worked out from its size. You pay whichever is more. That is why a large box of pillows can cost more to fly than a small, heavy box of tools. Ask for the boxed size and weight before you buy: the shop box is often much bigger than the thing inside it.

By sea: space in a container

Most single orders go LCL (less than container load): your goods share a container and you pay for the space they take, measured in cubic metres (CBM). Size matters more than weight. A whole container only makes sense for a big load, such as a household move.

Duty and taxes when it lands

Goods from the USA pay the same Ghana import duty as goods from anywhere else. Ghana uses the ECOWAS Common External Tariff: the product's HS code sets a duty rate of 0%, 5%, 10%, 20% or 35%, worked out on the CIF value, which is the price plus insurance and freight. VAT and levies, such as the NHIL and the GETFund levy, are added on top.

These rates change and figures online often disagree, so check the current ones with the Ghana Revenue Authority. Keep your receipt: customs values goods from the invoice, and without one customs sets the value itself.

Five things to check before you buy

1. Voltage. The USA runs on 120 volts at 60 Hz; Ghana runs on 230 volts at 50 Hz. Phone and laptop chargers usually accept 100 to 240 volts and only need a plug adapter. Many kitchen appliances, hair tools and power tools are made for 120 volts only and need a step-down transformer, or they burn out. Look for "100–240V" on the label or in the specs.
2. Unlocked phones only. A phone sold cheap with a US network contract can stay locked to that network and refuse a Ghana SIM. Recent iPhones sold in the USA also have no SIM card tray and work only with an eSIM, so check that your Ghana network can give you an eSIM before you buy one.
3. The warranty. Many US warranties only cover repairs in the USA. Ask whether yours works in Ghana, or plan for local repairs.
4. The size and weight of the box, for the freight reasons above.
5. What cannot fly. Batteries fitted inside a device usually travel by air, but loose spare lithium batteries, aerosols, perfume and anything flammable face strict airline rules, and may have to go by sea or not at all.

What to buy from the USA, and what from China

The USA is best for brand-name goods where genuine matters: Apple and Samsung, genuine Toyota and Lexus parts, US skincare, and baby gear made to US safety standards. China is usually cheaper for machines, building materials, solar, furniture and anything bought in bulk. Our guide to importing from China to Ghana covers that side.

Let us handle it

Landed buys from the US store for you, ships it, clears it and hands it over in Accra, for one all-in price agreed before you pay: the item, shipping, duty and clearing, and our service. A deposit secures your order, and you can pay the rest in instalments while it travels. Your tracker shows every step, with receipt and arrival photos.

• Shop phones and laptops, electronics and auto parts.
• Found it on Amazon, eBay or Walmart? Paste the link and get your price.
• Want to see what others are ordering? Look at trending in Ghana.