As an important economy in West Africa, Ghana’s market has attracted a large number of Chinese companies and investors. The time and process of shipping goods from China to Ghana are key factors that many companies and businessmen are concerned about. This article will give a detailed introduction to the time of shipping from China to Ghana.
Where is Ghana?
Ghana is located in the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa, with a superior geographical location. It has major ports on the Atlantic coast-Port of Accra and Port of Tema. These ports are the main transportation hubs for Ghana to trade with other countries in the world.
Shipping Time from China to Ghana
The shipping time from China to Ghana is determined by the mode of transportation and route, It is also affected by many factors. The following are several key factors that affect air and sea transportation time:
- Route selection: Choosing a direct route or a route that passes through multiple transit ports will affect the transportation time.
- Weather conditions: Severe weather such as storms and typhoons will cause voyage delays.
- Port busyness: If Ghana’s major ports (such as Accra Port and Tama Port) are in busy periods, it may cause delays in unloading and customs clearance.
- Cargo type: Some goods require additional handling steps during transportation, which will extend the transportation time. Strict inspection, packaging and certification are also carried out to comply with Ghana’s import regulations, affecting the transportation time.
Sea Freight Time from China to Ghana
Sea Freight is a low-cost way from China to Ghana, suitable for large, non-urgent goods. There are usually two modes of transportation. You can choose FCL and LCL according to your cargo needs. There are also differences in the shipping time between the two.
Sea Freight starts from Chinese ports (such as Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, etc.), passes through the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal, and finally arrives at the main ports of Ghana – Accra Port or Tamar Port. The voyage is long and the transportation time is roughly between 30 and 40 days. The following is a detailed transportation time table:
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | Transport time (days) |
|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Accra | 30-40 days |
| Shenzhen | Accra | 32-40 days |
| Qingdao | Accra | 31-40 days |
| Ningbo | Accra | 30-38 days |
| Shanghai | Tema | 30-40 days |
| Shenzhen | Tema | 31-40 days |
| Qingdao | Tema | 32-40 days |
| Ningbo | Tema | 30-39 days |
Air Freight Time from China to Ghana
Air Freight is usually faster than sea transport, but the cost is relatively high. However, timeliness and safety are more guaranteed, and it is suitable for high-value, time-sensitive or small-volume goods.
From China’s major air transport hubs, via the main Accra International Airport, the timeliness of air transport from China to Ghana is generally 5-7 days, depending on the specific circumstances of the origin, airline, flight schedule and destination.
| Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Ghana) | Transport time (days) |
| Shanghai Pudong | Accra | 5-7 days |
| Guangzhou Baiyun | Accra | 5-7 days |
| Beijing Capital | Accra | 6-7 days |
| Shenzhen Baoan | Accra | 5-7 days |
| Hongkong | Accra | 6-7 days |
If you want to know the shipping time to other countries you can read:
- How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Egypt
- How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Kenya?
- How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Tanzania?
- How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to Nigeria?
- How Long Does it Take to Ship from China to South Africa?
How to Shorten the Shipping Time from China to Ghana
Shorten the shipping time from China to Ghana through the following strategies:
Choose a direct ship
Choosing a direct route without passing through a transit port can reduce the stay time and thus speed up the transportation progress.
Efficient customs clearance
Prepare all customs clearance documents in advance to ensure that the goods can pass through customs quickly and avoid long detention time in the port.
Work with a professional logistics company
Choose an experienced freight forwarding company who can provide efficient and customized transportation solutions according to your needs, thereby shortening the overall transportation time.
Book flights in advance
During peak periods and holidays, flights and cargo space are very tight. Try to book flights or cargo space in advance to ensure on-time delivery.
Shipping Cost from China to Ghana
The cost of shipping from China to Ghana depends on a variety of factors, including cargo volume, voyage distance, port selection, and market conditions. Air freight costs about $5-$8 per kilogram, and sea freight costs about $1,800 to $2,500 for a 20ft container, and $3,000 to $4,500 for a 40ft container. Below is a detailed cost analysis of Sea freight from China to Ghana.
| POL (port of loading) | POD (port of discharge) | LCL Shipping cost | 20ft container cost | 40ft container cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Tema | $80 – $120 | $1850-$2450 | $3000-$4200 |
| Shenzhen | Tema | $90 – $120 | $1800-$2500 | $3050-$4550 |
| Qingdao | Tema | $80 – $120 | $1850-$2450 | $3050-$4450 |
| Ningbo | Tema | $85 – $120 | $1850-$2500 | $3050-$4350 |
| Shanghai | Accra | $80 – $120 | $1950-$2450 | $3050-$4300 |
| Shenzhen | Accra | $80 – $115 | $1900-$2500 | $3000-$4200 |
| Qingdao | Accra | $85 – $120 | $1850-$2450 | $3050-$4400 |
| Ningbo | Accra | $85 – $115 | $1800-$2550 | $3050-$4350 |
If you want to know the container shipping prices in the surrounding areas:
- How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Egypt?
- How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Nigeria
- How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Algeria?
- How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Tanzania
- How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Kenya?
Steps to Ship from China to Ghana
Prepare documents
Prepare corresponding import and export declarations, dangerous goods reports, shipping agent power of attorney, certificates of origin and certificates, licenses and other documents according to the type of goods.
Choose a shipping company
Consider factors such as company size and strength, route coverage, price and service quality, and choose a suitable shipping company.
Loading and transportation
Load the goods into containers or transport vehicles and start transportation. During this period, you need to pay attention to transportation dynamics and abnormal situations.
Customs clearance and delivery
After the goods arrive at the port of Ghana, customs clearance procedures will be carried out and they will be delivered by local logistics. Main customs clearance documents:
- Commercial invoice: includes detailed description of the goods, quantity, unit price and total value, etc., as a voucher for both parties to the transaction.
- Packing List: Lists the packaging, quantity and size of all goods in detail to ensure that customs and consignees at the destination can check accurately.
- Bill of Lading: The bill of lading is one of the most important transportation documents, proving that the goods have been delivered to the transportation company and have been transported by sea.
- Certificate of Origin: proves the place of production or origin of the goods, especially required to enjoy preferential tariffs in Ghana.
- Transport Insurance Policy: insures the goods against damage or loss during transportation.
Learn about the transportation process, time, cost and related precautions from China to Ghana through this article. Choose to cooperate with a professional freight forwarding company and arrange the transportation plan reasonably to ensure smooth and efficient completion of the transportation task.