Ghana has been changing its import rules faster than almost anywhere else in West Africa this year, with a new conformity programme landing in the middle of 2026 and a used vehicle regime that was announced, given a start date, and then suspended within days of taking effect. If you are reading older guidance about shipping to Ghana, a good deal of it is now out of date. Here is where things actually stand, and what it means for a machine rather than a car.
EasyPass: the conformity programme that started in July 2026
The Ghana Standards Authority runs a conformity assessment programme called EasyPass. The Notice to Importers was published on 18 May 2026, the programme launched on 1 June 2026, and application became mandatory from 1 July 2026, based on the date of shipment rather than the date of arrival.
The scope is broad. It covers mineral products, chemicals, plastics and rubber, textiles, base metals, machinery and electrical equipment, non-exempted vehicles, optical and measuring instruments and more, across a long list of HS chapters that includes chapters 82 to 87. Goods regulated by the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority are exempt.
The exporter files the Request for Certificate and pays the fees, which is worth knowing because it puts the obligation on this side of the ocean rather than on your buyer. There are three routes with different fee structures, running from roughly 0.400 to 0.550 percent of FOB value with minimums between USD 275 and USD 350, with the lower ad valorem rates attached to annual registration or factory assessment fees.
One genuine ambiguity, which we will not paper over. The EasyPass datasheet lists "Second-hand (used) goods" under prohibited goods. Read literally that would mean Ghana does not import used goods, which is plainly untrue, since Ghana is one of the largest used equipment and used vehicle markets in the region. In these conformity programmes that heading normally means goods which cannot be certified under the programme and therefore follow a different route. What it does not do is tell you which route. Confirm with the Ghana Standards Authority or your Ghanaian agent before shipping, and ask us as well, because we track what we see happening on this lane.
The used vehicle rule, and its suspension
This one matters if you are shipping trucks alongside machinery, and it is the freshest thing on the lane.
In August 2026 the Ghana Standards Authority announced that from 1 October 2026 the import of used vehicles more than fifteen years old would be prohibited. The figure replaced an earlier proposal of ten years. Vehicles shipped before 1 October were exempt even if they arrived afterward, and vehicles already in Ghana were exempt. The notice also barred vehicles submerged in water or damaged by flood, vehicles damaged by fire, vehicles with broken, cracked, bent or twisted chassis or safety cages, vehicles assembled from spare parts, and vehicles without a speedometer displaying kilometres per hour. Used vehicles were to be inspected in the country of origin by a GSA-approved third party issuing a Certificate of Conformity.
Then, in a public notice issued on 5 October 2026 and signed by Director-General Prof. George Agyei, the GSA suspended the pre-shipment inspection exercise for imported used vehicles. No new implementation date has been announced, and the Authority said one would be communicated in due course.
Where that leaves you. The pre-shipment inspection requirement for used vehicles is on hold rather than cancelled, and it could return with little notice. If you are shipping trucks to Ghana, build that possibility into your timeline and check the position at the time you book rather than relying on anything you read earlier, including this page. We will update it as the position moves.
An important scope point. These notices speak about vehicles. Whether construction and agricultural machinery is caught by them is not something we have been able to establish from the published notices, and we are not going to guess at it for you. For a machine, ask your Ghanaian agent to confirm whether the vehicle regime applies before you ship.
Right-hand drive, which is a hard no
Under the Customs Act 2015, importing a right-hand-steering motor vehicle into Ghana is prohibited unless the Minister approves it. Ghana drives on the right, so American left-hand-drive vehicles and machines suit the market, which is one of the reasons the US to Ghana lane works as well as it does.
This is worth a moment of thought if you are buying at auction and the lot happens to be an import from a right-hand-drive market. Most construction machinery has centrally placed or left-side controls and is unaffected, but trucks and utility vehicles are a different matter.
The ports
- Tema, near Accra, the main gateway and the port most machinery moves through.
- Takoradi, in the west, serving the mining and oil regions and often the better choice for cargo heading to the western part of the country.
Both handle machinery. The choice usually comes down to where the machine is going inland rather than to any difference in capability, though for a large out of gauge or breakbulk piece the discharge question is worth settling before booking rather than on arrival. We confirm that the terminal can handle your piece as part of routing the shipment.
Ghana is a steady and growing destination for used American plant, particularly in construction, quarrying and mining support, and the lane is well served from the US East Coast and Gulf.
How we get the machine there
Most machines on this lane travel in containers, including many that other companies would put on a flat rack. We dismantle machines ourselves, principally at our Baltimore facility, so containerizing is something we can actually do rather than something we can only describe.
- Backhoe loaders go in with the cab off, the bucket off and the arm off where length requires it.
- Wheel loaders in the Caterpillar 950 class dismantle into a 40ft high cube.
- Large excavators can be split across containers. We have shipped a Hitachi EX300, around the 30 tonne class, as one 40ft high cube plus one 20ft with the track side frames removed.
- Mini excavators and skid steers go in as they stand, often two to a box.
A container moves cheaper than a flat rack, so the dismantling usually pays for itself, and the machine travels enclosed for the whole voyage rather than exposed on an open platform.
Been quoted a flat rack for Ghana?
Send us the model and we will price the container option alongside it so you can compare the two properly.
Get a QuotePreparation and the US side
- Cleaning. Earth-moving machinery carrying soil and plant residue is a problem on many lanes, and steam cleaning before loading is inexpensive insurance. We arrange it where the destination calls for it.
- Fluids and batteries. Fuel, hydraulic fluid and batteries follow different rules depending on whether the machine ships in a container, as breakbulk or by roll-on roll-off, with the carrier adding conditions of its own. We prepare to the booked route.
- The export filing. We submit it through the Automated Export System. You supply the bill of sale or auction invoice, proof of ownership and the exact serial number.
- Collection. Nationwide, including from Ritchie Bros., IronPlanet and Purple Wave. Most yards will not load a machine that can reasonably be driven, and they require a bill of lading for anything going to a foreign country, which we issue as the ocean carrier.
Duty, clearance and delivery in Ghana are handled by your own licensed customs agent, and we supply the documents they need. We do not quote Ghanaian duty, because it is set by the Ghanaian government rather than by us.
Ghana equipment questions
What is Ghana EasyPass and does it affect my machine?
It is the Ghana Standards Authority conformity assessment programme, mandatory from 1 July 2026 based on the date of shipment. Its scope is broad and includes machinery and electrical equipment across a long list of HS chapters including 82 to 87. Whether a particular used machine is processed through it or follows another route is worth confirming with the GSA or your Ghanaian agent before shipping.
Who pays for the EasyPass certificate, me or my buyer?
The exporter files the Request for Certificate and pays the fees, which puts the obligation on this side of the ocean. Fees run from roughly 0.400 to 0.550 percent of FOB value with minimums between USD 275 and USD 350, with the lower ad valorem rates attached to annual registration or factory assessment costs.
The EasyPass datasheet lists used goods as prohibited. Does Ghana ban used goods?
No, and it plainly does not, since Ghana is one of the largest used equipment and used vehicle markets in the region. In conformity programmes that heading normally means goods which cannot be certified under the programme and therefore follow a different route. What the datasheet does not do is say which route, so this is a genuine ambiguity to resolve with the GSA or your agent rather than one to guess at.
When did EasyPass start?
The Notice to Importers was published 18 May 2026, the programme launched 1 June 2026, and application became mandatory from 1 July 2026 based on the date of shipment rather than arrival.
Is there a 15 year age limit on used vehicles into Ghana?
One was announced in August 2026 to take effect on 1 October 2026, prohibiting used vehicles more than fifteen years old and replacing an earlier proposed ten year limit. The related pre-shipment inspection exercise was then suspended by the GSA on 5 October 2026, with no new date announced. Check the current position at the time you book.
What exactly did the Ghana Standards Authority suspend?
The pre-shipment inspection exercise for imported used vehicles, in a public notice dated 5 October 2026 signed by Director-General Prof. George Agyei. The Authority said a new implementation date would be communicated in due course. Treat it as on hold rather than cancelled.
Does the used vehicle rule apply to construction machinery?
We have not been able to establish that from the published notices, which speak about vehicles. Rather than guess, we would ask your Ghanaian agent to confirm whether the vehicle regime reaches your machine class before you ship. If we learn more we will update this page.
What else was barred under the vehicle notice?
Vehicles submerged in water or damaged by flood, vehicles damaged by fire, vehicles with broken, cracked, bent or twisted chassis or safety cages, vehicles assembled from spare parts, and vehicles without a speedometer displaying kilometres per hour. Those conditions sat alongside the age limit.
Can I still ship an older truck that was loaded before the deadline?
Under the notice as announced, vehicles shipped before 1 October 2026 were exempt even if they arrived afterward, and vehicles already in Ghana were exempt. Since the inspection exercise is now suspended the practical position has moved again, so confirm at the time you book.
Can I import a right-hand-drive vehicle into Ghana?
No, not without ministerial approval. Under the Customs Act 2015 importing a right-hand-steering motor vehicle is prohibited unless the Minister approves. Ghana drives on the right, which is part of why American left-hand-drive stock suits this market.
Does that affect construction machinery?
Rarely, because most construction machinery has centrally placed or left-side controls rather than a steering side in the sense the rule means. Trucks and utility vehicles are a different matter, so check the lot carefully if it was itself an import from a right-hand-drive market.
Tema or Takoradi?
Usually whichever suits the inland destination. Tema near Accra is the main gateway and takes most machinery. Takoradi in the west serves the mining and oil regions and is often better for cargo heading west. Both handle machinery, and for a large breakbulk piece we confirm the discharge capability before booking.
How long does the ocean leg take from the USA?
It depends on the service and the load port, and we give you a concrete timeline with the quote rather than a generic range. The lane is well served from the US East Coast and Gulf.
Will my excavator fit in a container for Ghana?
More often than you have probably been told. Mini excavators go in as they stand. Mid-sized machines go in dismantled. We have shipped a Hitachi EX300, around 30 tonnes, as one 40ft high cube plus one 20ft with the track side frames off. Send us the model and we will check it properly rather than estimate.
Why containerize rather than use a flat rack?
A container moves cheaper than a flat rack, so the dismantling work usually pays for itself and often removes the need for oversize permits on the US road leg as well. The machine also travels enclosed rather than exposed on an open platform for the whole voyage.
Can you ship a machine that does not run?
Yes, though it costs more to handle at both ends because it has to be winched or lifted rather than driven, and it rules out roll-on roll-off. Tell us at quoting stage, because it changes the number.
Can you collect from a US machinery auction?
Yes, anywhere in the USA, including Ritchie Bros., IronPlanet and Purple Wave. Most yards will not load a machine that can reasonably be driven, and equipment going to a foreign country needs a bill of lading at the gate, which we issue as the ocean carrier.
Do you quote Ghanaian duty?
No. Duty is set by the Ghanaian government and assessed at their end, not against our invoice. Your licensed customs agent in Ghana handles duty, clearance and delivery, and we supply the documents they need.
How current is the information on this page?
It reflects the position as we understood it in early November 2026, and Ghana has moved faster than most markets this year. Rules set by a foreign government can change without notice, so confirm anything material with a licensed customs agent in Ghana before you commit money to a purchase.
Are you a broker or the carrier?
We are the carrier. Cassandra Logistics is a federally licensed Ocean Transportation Intermediary under FMC license OTI No. 025125NF, legally Royal Port Container Lines, Inc. DBA Cassandra Logistics. The license is public and verifiable with the Federal Maritime Commission.
Import rules change. The customs information on this page comes from official government sources and was accurate when published, but duties, age limits, inspection regimes and eligibility requirements are set by the destination country and can change without notice. Cassandra Logistics is a licensed ocean carrier, not a customs authority or a legal adviser. We are not responsible for changes to foreign import law, or for decisions made by customs at destination. Always confirm current requirements with a licensed customs agent in the destination country before you buy a machine.