Ghana customs regulations

Duty-free allowance

Tobacco limit

• Any assortment of tobacco products not exceeding more than 500 grams.

Bringing alcohol

• 750 mL of wine;
• and 375mL of potable and perfumed spirits.

Other Goods

• Items intended for personal use. A deposit may be required to cover these goods.

Cash limit

• Residents and non residents arriving in Ghana are permitted to carry up to US$10,000 or its equivalent in any form. This must be declared at the border on entry and departure.
• Any amount over US$10,000 must be transferred only through a bank or authorised dealer.

Prohibited items

The following are goods which cannot be brought into the country.

• Animals and carcasses infected with disease.
• Beads of inflammable celluloid.
• Raw coffee imported overland.
• Coin that does not meet the standard it is purporting to meet.
• Food that is declared by a Health Officer as unfit for human consumption.
• Knuckle dusters and life preserver clubs.
• Literature, scandalous books, and other printed matter which, in the opinion of the Commissioner, are defamatory, scandalous, or demoralising.
• Base or counterfeit currency.
• Indecent or obscene prints, paintings, books or other media.
• Dangerous weapons such as flick knives and other knives which, in the opinion of the Inspector of Police, are considered to be dangerous weapons.
• Spirits containing essential oils or chemical products such as thujone, star arise, benzoic aldehyde, salicylic esters, hyssop, absinthe or other substances in such proportions as the Commissioner deems injurious to health.
• Goods prohibited by any other law in Ghana.

Restricted items

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to arrival.

• Rough or uncut diamonds, except under license of the Minister of Mines and Energy.
• Film and cinematograph unless the Commissioner is satisfied they are solely for exhibition in a private premises.
• Goods which bear a design in imitation of any currency in current use, except under license of the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning.
• Gambling machines require a permit from the Ministry of Interior.
• Plant, plant products, soil, manure, etc. liable to harbour dangerous diseases or pests require a permit from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.
• Explosives, including nitroglycerin, dynamite, detonators, and gun cotton blasting powder require a Ministry of Interior licence.
• Arms and ammunition require a permit from the Ministry of Interior.
• Handcuffs require a permit from the Ministry of Interior.
• Machines for duplicating keys require a license from the Minister of Interior.
• Milk deficient in milk fat must be clearly marked as skimmed milk.
• Nets and traps for animals require approval of the Commissioner.
• Airmail photographic printing paper requires a licence of the Commissioner.
• Reel-fed rotary ticket printing presses, except under license of the Minister for Finance and Economic Planning.
• Brandy, rum or whiskey unless provided to the satisfaction of the Commissioner to have been stored in the wood for a period of not less than three years prior to importation.
• Spirits containing more than 65% of absolute alcohol as ascertained by Tralles alcohol meter other than medicated, perfumed or methylated spirits, accepted as such by the Commissioner, except under licence from the Commissioner.
• Weapons of any description which in the opinion of the Commissioner are designed for the discharge of any noxious liquids, gas or other similar substances and any ammunition containing or in the opinion of the Commissioner designed or adapted to contain any noxious liquid, gas or other similar substance, except under licence of the Minister for Interior.
• Mercury requires a license from the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
• All pets are subject to importation requirements, and some are prohibited. For further information, please visit the Ministry of Food and Agriculture Health Requirements For Importation.