Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From Ghana to the United States

Ghana is one of the fastest-growing economies in Africa, putting it in a prime position to expand and develop trade with the United States. In 2022, Ghana exported $2.8 billion worth of goods to the U.S., a 61% increase from the previous year and an 850% increase from the last decade. 

If you want to take advantage of this fast-growing trade relationship, here is your complete guide to your ocean and air freight shipping options. Read on for a successful shipment from Ghana to the United States. 

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From Ghana to the United States?

To ship from Ghana to the United States, you can pick between ocean and air freight. 

Ocean Freight From Ghana to the United States

Ocean freight is the most affordable and flexible way to ship goods internationally. It’s significantly cheaper than any other shipping mode and can accommodate all types of cargo a shipper would need to transport. Ocean freight gives shippers two container shipping options: less-than-container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL). 

LCL is used by those with small shipments. Their goods are consolidated with cargo belonging to other shippers and shipped together in one container. Each shipper only pays for the space their goods occupy, making it the economical choice for container shipping. 

FCL, on the other hand, is where a shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. This gives them more space, control, and security for their cargo. While more expensive than LCL, it can provide good value for money if the space inside the container is maximized with large items or shipping volumes. 

Air Freight from Ghana to the United States

Air freight is also a popular way to ship goods from Ghana to the United States. That’s because of its speed, taking significantly less time than ocean freight to complete. It’s also more secure, with stricter airport regulations guaranteeing cargo safety. This is why clients who are shipping time-sensitive, perishable, and high-value cargo prefer air freight. 

Air freight, however, is not perfect. One of the cons is its cost, with freight rates much higher than ocean freight. It’s also less flexible and cannot ship all types of cargo, sizes, weights, and volumes. 

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From Ghana to the United States?

The cost of shipping goods from Ghana to the United States will depend on several factors. These include: 

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping
• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
• Weight and size limits

Use our online freight costs calculator to get an estimate of your shipping costs. The table below provides the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from Ghana to the United States.

How long does it take to ship cargo from Ghana to the United States?

The transit time for goods shipped from Ghana to the United States depends mainly on your selected international shipping mode. Additional factors influencing the transit time are:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• Direct or indirect shipment route
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Potential incidents at ports

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from Ghana to the United States?

Ocean freight takes about 15 to 50 days to complete a shipment from Ghana to the United States. 

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from Ghana to the United States?

If you ship by air, you can expect your cargo to arrive from Ghana to the United States in 2 to 8 business days. 

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in Ghana and the United States

Once your goods land in a U.S. port or airport, they will be subject to the customs clearance process before they are imported. This process should be a breeze as long as you have submitted the following documents: 

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

For examples of these customs clearance requirements, refer to our full documents list. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Now, it’s time to decide whether to ship via ocean or air freight. This decision should consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some pointers to help you make the right choice. 

Ocean Freight

Ocean freight is right for you if you are shipping on a budget or require flexibility. It can accommodate any type of cargo, whether large, small, heavy, or light, and even offers you two options for container shipping. This is all without a premium price tag. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

Ship via LCL if your cargo is: 

• Small in size and quantity
• Lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Not requiring special handling or movement 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

If LCL doesn’t seem fit for you, consider FCL. It’s best for cargo that is: 

• Large in size and quantity 
• Heavy or overweight
• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Requiring special handling or movement 

Air Freight

If you’re looking for speed in your Ghana to United States shipment, then there’s no doubt you should ship by air. Only taking a little more than a week, it’s the fastest way to get time-sensitive and perishable cargo to its destination quickly. 

If you're shipping high-value goods, you might also appreciate air freight. With stricter processes and regulations, air freight can guarantee the security of your cargo during handling and transit. 

Before settling for air freight, though, consider its cost. It’s significantly more expensive to ship by air than by sea, so budget accordingly. Air freight is also less flexible, unable to accommodate all types of cargo, and even puts limits on the weight, size, and volume of your shipment.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide 

Cargo ports of origin in Ghana

Port of Elmina

The Port of Elmina is a small port in southern Ghana. Because of its low water depth, it mainly deals with marine goods and caters to small fishing vessels. The port is part of the Elmina fishing project, which is helping boost the nation’s fishing sector. 

Port of Accra

The Port of Accra is a deep-sea port in the Gulf of Guinea in Ghana. It used to receive cargo traffic but was quickly replaced by the Port of Tema, which now serves as the country’s premier port. 

Port of Saltpond

The Port of Saltpond is located in South Ghana, specifically in Saltpond. It’s a deep-sea port with an anchorage depth of 12.5 to 13.8 meters and an oil terminal with a depth of over 23.2 meters. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach is located in California. It’s the 21st busiest container port in the world, handling over 9.13 million TEUs and 78.2 million metric tonnes of cargo per year. The port can handle a wide variety of freight and is popular for its eco-friendly initiatives. 

Port of Virginia

The Port of Virginia is located along the eastern coast of the United States. It’s the sixth biggest port in the U.S. and can welcome the largest container vessels in the world. The port is especially popular for its efficient cargo handling operations, which allow it to handle over 3.7 million TEUs per year. 

Port of Oakland

The Port of Oakland is located in California, U.S. It plays an important role in the nation’s international trade, handling over 2.34 million TEUs per year. The port is undergoing infrastructure development to accommodate larger vessels. 

Air Freight from Ghana to the United States: An airport guide

Airports of origin in Ghana

Kotoka International Airport

The Kotoka International Airport is located in Accra, the capital city of Ghana. It is the only international airport in the nation and is operated by Ghana Airports Company Limited. It is a hub for African World Airlines, Passion Air, Ghana Airways, and more.  

Airports of arrival in the United States

Boston Logan International Airport

The Boston Logan International Airport, also known as the General Edward Lawrence Logan International Airport, is located in East Boston, particularly in Winthrop in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. It handles over 565 million pounds of total cargo and is a hub for Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Cape Air & Nantucket Airlines, and more. 

Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport

The Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport, also known as Wold-Chamberlain Field, is a civil-military airport serving the Twin Cities in Minnesota, U.S. It’s located in the Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory. The airport is a hub for Delta Air Lines, Sun Country Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, and more. 

Rickenbacker International Airport

Rickenbacker International Airport is a civil-military airport in southern Franklin County, Ohio, United States. It is 10 miles south of downtown Columbus. The airport is a hub for AirNet Express, Amerijet International, Evergreen International Airlines, and Air Tahoma.