Shipping vehicles and machinery to Tema
Ghana’s deep-water port, east of Accra, and the gateway for the northern hinterland. Vehicle and machinery imports into Ghana move mainly through Tema.
West AfricaUN/LOCODE GHTEMContainer · RoRo · Breakbulk
Options
Methods available on this trade
| Method | Available to Tema |
|---|---|
| Container | Yes — the default |
| RoRo | Yes — RoRo capacity is available on some services |
| Breakbulk | Yes — project cargo and heavy machinery |
Confirm method availability at the time of booking. RoRo coverage in particular depends on which services are calling the port that month.
Timing
Transit time
| From | To | Indicative transit | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tianjin / Qingdao | Tema | 32–46 days indicative — confirmed at booking | Port to port, excluding destination clearance |
| Shanghai / Nansha / Yantian / Shekou | Tema | 32–46 days (via southern ports) indicative — confirmed at booking | Port to port |
Transit is port to port and excludes destination clearance, inland delivery and any transhipment delay. We give the current figure in writing with the quotation.
Operational notes
What to watch out for on this route
- Destination inspection and valuation regimes apply to imports — confirm what the consignee must lodge before sailing.
- Ghana bans used vehicles older than 10 years from date of manufacture (GS 4510:2022). From 1 October 2026 a Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) is mandatory — used vehicles must pass third-party inspection and obtain a Certificate of Conformance in the exporting country before shipment. Right-hand-drive-origin vehicles and flood/fire-damaged or structurally compromised units are refused; minimum Euro II emission applies.
On the ground
Customs clearance in Ghana
We can arrange destination clearance in Ghana — import declaration, duty assessment, inspection coordination and release — through the clearing agents we work with in the country. One party is accountable from the supplier in China through to the vehicle released at destination, and there is no gap at the port where nobody is responsible.
Paperwork
Documents required
- Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading
- Pre-shipment or destination inspection documentation where applicable
- Certificate of origin where required
- Consignee registration and tax identification
Documentary requirements change and vary by commodity and consignee. This list is a starting point, not a compliance guarantee — the consignee’s licensed broker confirms what applies.
Book a shipment to Tema
Send vehicle details, dimensions and weight and the origin city. We come back with methods, cost and the next sailing.
Request a QuoteQuestions we get asked often
How long does shipping to Tema take?
We quote the current port-to-port transit in writing with the quotation. Published figures go stale quickly; ours are confirmed against the service being booked.
Is RoRo available to Tema?
It depends on which services are calling. Ask us and we will check the current rotation before you commit to container rates.
Can you handle destination clearance?
Yes. In Ghana we arrange the destination clearance ourselves through the clearing agents we work with in the country — import declaration, duty assessment, inspection coordination and release.
Can you ship machinery as well as vehicles to Tema?
Yes — construction and mining machinery moves on the same services, by container, breakbulk or on flat racks depending on size and weight.