Car Import Glossary: Auction & Customs Terms

ACV / estimated retail value: The insurer's estimate of what the car was worth before the damage. Useful context, not a price guide.
AS-IS: Sold in its current condition, with all faults and without warranty. Auction and in-transit cars are sold AS-IS; see our AS-IS policy.
Bill of lading: The shipping line's document for the cargo: what was shipped, on which vessel, and who may collect it in Tema. Keep it safe.
Buyer fee: The auction's charge on top of the winning bid. It rises with the price and comes with smaller gate and document fees.
CIF (cost, insurance and freight): The value of the car delivered to the port of arrival: price, fees, transport, shipping and insurance. Ghana's duty is based on the customs value, which starts from CIF.
Clearing agent: A licensed customs broker who files the import declaration, pays duty on your behalf and gets the car released from the port.
Certificate of Conformity (CoC): A certificate from an approved inspection body that a vehicle meets Ghana's standard. The pre-shipment requirement was suspended in October 2026; see import rules.
Demurrage and storage: Daily charges for leaving a car or container at the port beyond the free days. Pay duty on time to avoid them.
DVLA: Ghana's Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, which registers the car and issues number plates.
ETA: Estimated time of arrival of the vessel in Tema. It can move with shipping schedules.
HDV (home delivery value): The value Ghana Customs assigns a used vehicle in its system for working out duty. It can differ from what you paid.
ICUMS: Ghana's Integrated Customs Management System, used for import declarations, valuation and duty payment.
In transit: On our site: the car has been bought and is on its way to Ghana. Its price is usually quoted up to Tema port.
Lot number: The auction's number for the car. With it, you can look up the original Copart or IAAI listing.
Odometer: actual / not actual: "Actual" means the mileage is believed correct. "Not actual" or "exceeds mechanical limits" means the true mileage is unknown. US cars show miles: 1 mile is 1.61 km.
Overage penalty: Extra customs charges on older vehicles, from about 10 years after manufacture.
Primary / secondary damage: The auction's summary of the main and second-most-serious damage, e.g. "Front end", "Hail", "Water/flood".
Rebuilt title: A salvage car that has been repaired and passed a state inspection in the USA.
Run and drive: At check-in the car started, went into gear and moved under its own power. Not a guarantee of roadworthiness.
Salvage title: A title for a car an insurer declared a total loss. Damage can be light or severe, so read the damage type and photos.
VIN: The 17-character vehicle identification number. Use it to check history reports and confirm the car is the one you're paying for.

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Car import glossary