Guide
How long does importing a car take?
Usually about two to three months from the winning bid to driving in Ghana. Here is where the time goes, and what can speed it up or slow it down.
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Payment to the auction | 2–3 working days | Auctions require payment within a few days of the sale, or charge late fees. |
| Collection and transport to the port | 1–3 weeks | A truck collects the car from the yard. Further from the port means longer. |
| Export paperwork and loading | 1–3 weeks | The title is processed for export and the car waits for space in a shared container. |
| Ocean shipping to Tema | 3–7 weeks | Shorter from the US East and Gulf coasts, longer from the West coast and Canada. |
| Customs clearing at Tema | 1–2 weeks | Duty is assessed and paid; the clearing agent releases the car. |
| Registration and delivery | A few days | DVLA registration, then collection in Kumasi or delivery. |
What slows things down
- Late payment, either to the auction or for shipping.
- Title delays: some states and some sellers take longer to release export documents.
- Busy ports, vessel schedule changes and bad weather.
- Duty not ready to pay when the car lands. Storage and demurrage charges start after the free days at the port.
- A required inspection or certificate not arranged before shipping (see import rules).
How to keep it moving
- Have the funds ready before the auction day.
- Start saving for duty while the car is at sea; our calculator gives you a planning figure.
- Choose cars at yards near the East or Gulf coast when you can.
- Keep your phone on WhatsApp; we send updates at each stage.
In a hurry? Our cars arriving soon are already on their way, and our cars in Ghana are ready to view.