← Importing a car from China to Ghana: full landed-cost guide 2026

MG5 to Ghana: what it costs landed

Today’s quote: from $6,736 FOB China port (new car, quoted 09-20). Below: every step from there to a registered car in Ghana, computed by our rules engine — sources and verification dates included.

RoRo, several cars together: about $1,900–2,600 per car · 3–4 cars sharing a container: about $2,100–3,000 per car

Recalculate with your own price → Live quote of 09-20 — prices move; confirm before ordering

Can this car get in?

• • Age limit 15 years
• • Who can import: Individuals and companies can import; clearance needs a TIN
• • Pre-shipment inspection: A GSA-approved third-party inspection body, or a licensed used-vehicle dealership operating under the programme, inspects each unit in the country of origin and issues a Certificate of Conformance (CoC) against GS 4510 — strictly enforced from 2026-10-01
• • The programme has run since 2020; what starts on 1 Oct 2026 is strict enforcement — it is not a ban on importing used cars
• • China side: the GSA and CATARC signed an MoU in May 2026 covering standards harmonization, recognition of conformity assessment and verification of certificates; ask the GSA Vehicle Homologation Unit how to obtain the CoC in China
• • Flood-damaged, burnt, chassis / safety-cage damaged and parts-assembled cars are banned
• • The speedometer must read in km/h — Chinese domestic-market cars are km/h from the factory, so they comply
• • New cars: the model must be homologated by the GSA first; importers / dealers must register with the GSA Auto Unit
• • Age penalty 5–50% for 10–15-year-old cars
• ⚠ Cars shipped before 1 Oct 2026 are not subject to the new rules, even if they arrive later

Rules and sources

• Duty: petrol ≤1000 cc 5% / 1000–3000 cc 10% / >3000 cc 20%; diesel ≤1500 cc 5% / 1500–2500 cc 10% / >2500 cc 20%; VAT + NHIL 2.5% + GETFund 2.5% + ECOWAS 0.5% + EXIM 0.75% + AU 0.2% + special import levy 2% + examination fee 1% ↗ official 2026-09-02
• Electric passenger cars (tariff line 8703801900) pay 20% import duty; electric buses (heading 8702) 10%. The 8-year waiver in the 2024 budget applies only to EVs for public transport (buses, tro-tros, taxi sedans) and to SKD / CKD kits of registered EV assemblers, and explicitly excludes fully built cars for personal use; the enabling legislative instrument was never passed, and as reported in October 2024 only government-imported electric buses were actually exempt ↗ official 2026-09-20
• Overage penalty 5–50% for cars >10 years ↗ verified 2026-09-02
• GSA Public Notice GSA/DGS/PN/26/08 (3 Aug 2026): the National Vehicle Homologation and Conformity Assessment Programme has been in operation since 2020; strict enforcement of the applicable national vehicle standards, including Ghana Standard 4510 (Requirements for the Importation of Used Vehicles), commences on 1 Oct 2026. New-vehicle manufacturers and assemblers, and used-vehicle importers, distributors and dealers, must register with the GSA; new vehicle models must be homologated and used vehicle units must conform to the applicable Ghana Standards before shipment. The notice states explicitly that this does not constitute a ban on the importation of used vehicles. ↗ official 2026-09-08
• GSA Public Notice GSA/DGS/PN/26/09 (14 Aug 2026, superseding 26/08): national vehicle standards are enforced from 1 Oct 2026. Used vehicles are banned from importation if they are submerged in water / flood-damaged; burnt or fire-damaged; have chassis or safety-cage damage (broken, cracked, bent or twisted); are assembled from spare parts; have no speedometer reading in kilometre-per-hour; and/or are over fifteen (15) years old. Importers, distributors and dealers of both new and used vehicles must register with the GSA Vehicle Homologation Unit (GSA Auto Unit); before shipment, new vehicle models must be homologated and each used vehicle unit must be inspected in the country of origin by a GSA-approved third-party inspection body, which issues a Certificate of Conformance (CoC) attesting conformance to the applicable Ghana Standards. Vehicles that do not meet the prescribed requirements will not be permitted for importation on arrival. Vehicles shipped before 1 Oct 2026 are not affected even if they arrive later; vehicles already in Ghana before that date are also exempt. ↗ official 2026-09-08
• GSA media briefing (31 Jul 2026, published on gsa.gov.gh 5 Aug 2026): the news release also calls the programme the Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC) Programme and states it will require all used vehicles imported into Ghana to comply with GS 4510:2022 — the national standard for used imported vehicles — prior to shipment from the country of origin. Certificates of Conformance may be issued by approved third-party inspection bodies or through trained and licensed used-vehicle dealerships operating under the programme. The GSA is also building VEDIS (Vehicle Dealer Information System), integrating data from the DVLA, insurance companies, Interpol, National Security and the GSA to identify stolen vehicles. ↗ official 2026-09-08
• The GSA and the China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the World Automobile Standards and Innovation Conference (WASIC 2026) in Shenzhen, 27–29 May 2026, prompted by the growing number of Chinese vehicles — particularly New Energy Vehicles — entering the Ghanaian market. The MoU covers harmonization of automotive standards, recognition of conformity assessment procedures, verification of test reports and certificates, collaboration in testing, inspection, certification and R&D, capacity building and technical cooperation, and investment in automotive testing infrastructure in Ghana. Note: this is a cooperation framework, not a statement that CATARC certificates are accepted in Ghana as they stand; confirm the actual China-side route with the GSA Vehicle Homologation Unit (auto@gsa.gov.gh / 030 398 0177). ↗ official 2026-09-08
• Left-hand-drive market; factory right-hand-drive imports are restricted

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MG5 ICE LandedCar ✓ FOB $6,736+

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Indicative figures: exchange rates, freight and tax rules change; what customs actually charges and the quote LandedCar confirms prevail. Free and not a basis for refunds or claims — see Terms.