Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Apr, 02 2026
How Much Does It Cost Of Shipping A Container To Ghana?
Ghana Container Shipping Cost
Planning on hauling a container to Ghana or anywhere in the African continent is not everyone’s cup of tea. The process of container shipping to Ghana can be a stressful experience. To add to your problems, you are also liable to choose the correct insurance, the right unit size, the best time to avoid the volatile nature of international shipping prices, and so on.
You can avoid most problems by opting for the right moving agency to ship your delivery to Ghana. Three Movers is an experienced freighting agency that specializes in worldwide container shipping, including Ghana.
Factors That Affect The Price Of Vessel Hauling To The Area
Most people don’t know, but there are a total of five factors that contribute to the final pricing of any shipment across the world. Some of the popular ones are the weight or volume of the items, the choice of transportation, and the total distance covered. The unknown ones are as follows:
The Destination Port In The Region
Ghana's coastline touches the Gulf of Guinea in the North Atlantic Ocean, and its seaports are equipped with good shipping facilities to inland cities. Some of its major seaports are the Port of Takoradi and the Port of Tema. You can also ship your container via air freight to the Kotoka Airport or the Kumasi Airport, as these two are the only international airports in the country.
Time Of The Year
The months of January, February, August, and September are considered the peak season in the international freighting industry. The costs of international shipping rise exponentially during these months.
Rate Of Delivery Household Goods
You should pay for the volume of your shipment when sending household products to Ghana. Shipping to Ghana averages $115 per cubic meter. Using a full-service moving company means you'll have to pay extra for services like packing, loading, unloading, furniture assembly, disassembly, etc. If you don't have a lot of items to transport, package shipping services may be a more cost-effective option for you. Shipment and delivery services like FedEx, UPS, USPS, DHL, etc. all have websites you may visit.
Which Size Of Transit Goods Works Best For Me?
You can opt for two container sizes that are generally used in shipping house furniture through freighting services. Both the 20ft and 40ft containers are spacious enough to store the furniture of a three-bedroom house. But the 40ft container does give you a better value for money as it can also be used for shipping cars or a mini-truck.
However, if you do not have a large volume of the item, you can also share a part of a single unit. The LCL (less than container load) arrangements can be made where you can share one-third part of a 20ft or a 40ft unit if you only have a handful of boxes to ship.
Expense Of Dispatching 40 FT Unit To The Region
On average shipping, a full load of 40 FT deivery costs around $2,000. For less than a container load, the average cost is $115 per cubic meter of space. If you want to ship cars or other objects that need special attention, the cost will be extra. To move a 40 FT container to Ghana with 2 standard-sized cars, the price can easily reach $5000.
Charge Of Shifting 20 Ft Unit
On average, the cost of shipping a 20 ft container to Ghana is around $1,750. The LCL cost per cubic meter is the same as a 40 ft shipping container i.e. $115 on average. The cost will increase if you want to ship a car and other things that need extra attention. It can cost more than $2,000 to transport a single car in a 20 ft unit. You can help decrease the cost by choosing the right company for unit shipping services. Three Movers has helped people to move 20 ft containers from the UK, India, USA, and many other countries at affordable rates.
Instant Rates For Shipping Units To Ghana
Average Moving Rates Estimates
FCL shipping is best for transporting lots of boxes, pallets, and anything that will require a full container shipping to Ghana of up to 45,000 lbs.
| Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| 20 ft Unit | $1752 |
| 40 ft Container | $1957 |
LCL shipping is a more affordable way to transport less than container load shipments to Ghana.
| Less Than Container (LCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| LCL | $115/CBM |
| Household Goods | $735 |
| Personal Effects | $595 |
International shipping service for a household move to Ghana services – quick, easy, and cheap.
| International House Moving Costs | |
|---|---|
| Partial House (2000Lbs & Less) | $735 |
| 1 Bedroom (3850 Lbs) | $2807 |
| 2 Bedroom (4500 Lbs) | $3205 |
| 3+ Bedroom (8750 Lbs) | $4105 |
International auto transport services to Ghana via RoRo and container ships. Ship cars, trucks, SUVs, ATVs, boats, RV's, heavy equipment, and more.
| Container Car Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Sedan (Container) | $2156 |
| SUV (Container) | $2203 |
| Sedan via RORO | $1157 |
| SUV via RORO | $1225 |
Understanding The Different Types Of Freight Transportation
You can ship your container to Ghana through both means – ocean freight and air freight. The air freighting options offer a quick-moving experience, but it does come with a hefty price tag. On the other hand, the sea freighting options are slow, but they are almost five times cheaper than air freight. If time is not a constraint, we suggest you go with the more affordable and cleaner alternative of container shipping via sea.
Additional Logistics Price
Some other international shipping costs are as follows:
- Customs duties and taxes
- Container inspection fees
- General Rate Increase
- Inland delivery charges
- Quarantine fees
- Insurance for the shipping units and goods inside
International hauling companies raise their prices once every month as a general rate increase (GRI) to cope with the huge demand. When the demand for container shipping falls, they lower the costs to increase the demand, and the cycle continues throughout the year. To avoid paying the extra rate, make sure that the CRD of your delivery container does not fall within the dates of GRI implementation.
What’s Next?
After reviewing the aspects of shipping your delivery to Ghana, it’s time to get an affordable quote from Three Movers container shipping services. Go to our website and fill out the form which acts as an online freight calculator. Or, you can also call (888) 202-0036 for the same.
Find Cargo Containers For Freight Transport & Relocation
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of shipping a container to Ghana generally ranges from $2,800–$4,500 for a 20ft container and $4,200–$6,800 for a 40ft container. Pricing is influenced by container size, origin port, fuel surcharges, and service type (port-to-port vs door-to-door). Additional costs often include customs duties, port handling, and inland delivery within Ghana. These totals align with broader international moving cost benchmarks for West Africa routes.
The cost of shipping a 40ft container to Ghana is driven by origin country, seasonality, carrier availability, and cargo weight. Shipments from the U.S. East Coast are typically cheaper than from Asia due to shorter transit distances. Peak-season congestion, fuel price changes, inspections at Tema Port, and destination storage fees can add $500–$1,500 to total costs, consistent with standard moving overseas shipping costs.
A 20ft container has a lower upfront cost, but a 40ft container often delivers better value per cubic foot. A 20ft container fits most 1–2 bedroom households, while a 40ft container suits 3–5 bedroom moves or mixed household and vehicle shipments. Exceeding space limits in a smaller container can trigger costly LCL charges, making full-container options more efficient under international moving and storage scenarios.
Container shipping to Ghana typically takes 18–30 days depending on the origin port. U.S. East Coast shipments average 18–24 days, Europe 15–22 days, and Asia 30–45 days. Delays may occur due to customs processing, port congestion at Tema, weather, or inspections. Door-to-door delivery usually adds 3–7 days beyond port arrival, which is reflected in most moving overseas quotes.
Beyond ocean freight, expect import duties, VAT, port handling charges, terminal fees, and inland transport costs. Ghana commonly applies import duties between 5%–20% depending on classification, plus VAT and administrative fees. If containers are not cleared promptly, storage and demurrage charges apply. Most household shipments budget an additional $1,200–$3,000 beyond freight, consistent with full global moving services cost structures.
Yes, household goods and a vehicle can be shipped together in one container, most commonly a 40ft container. Vehicles must meet Ghana import rules, including proof of ownership and chassis verification. Proper blocking, bracing, and itemized inventories are required to pass inspection at Tema Port without delays or penalties, which is standard practice for international moving pods and containerized household shipments.
Door-to-door container shipping to Ghana is available and includes origin pickup, export handling, ocean freight, customs coordination, and final delivery. This option costs more than port-to-port service but reduces delays and compliance risks. Final delivery depends on road access, parking clearance, and offloading space, particularly in dense neighborhoods, which is typical for professional shipping container movers handling international routes.
