Complete Guide On How To Import From China to Ghana Without Leaving The Country
China is one of the most industrial countries in the world known for its high production of different types of products. Located in Asia, China is very far from Ghana and because of that most people find it difficult to import from China to Ghana.
This problem has been bothering most people for a very long time, especially those who have been scammed before by the so-called “middle-men”. Because of that in this article, I am going to show the complete guide on how to import from China to Ghana without leaving the country.
In Ghana, most people are of the perception that China-made products are inferior as compared to those manufactured in the other parts of the world, especially the Americas and Europe. But most of these companies in the Americas and Europe usually manufacture their products in China.
For example, Cupertino-based American company Apple Inc known mainly for their production of iPhones, design their iPhones at the Apple Park in Cupertino, California, USA, and assembles them in China (this can be found at the back of iPhones, “Designed by Apple in California Assembled in China”).
As a result, the few Ghanaians who know the quality of products made in China, prefer to import their goods from China instead of America and Europe. Apart from the quality of the products, made-in-China goods are relatively cheaper as compared to those from the other parts of the world; this can be said for almost all the countries in Asia in general.
Therefore, knowing the dos and don’ts of importing from China to Ghana, the requirements and all the important details will help you a lot and that is what this article is going to do for you. Read on to find out everything you need to know and how to import from China to Ghana.
1. What Products Are You Importing And What Are The Import Duties and Taxes?
Before you choose to import your products from China to Ghana, you must first know the products you are importing from China. Without this, you can proceed with the rest of the steps in this article.
Therefore, if you have not settled on the products you are importing, use the internet to search for some of the goods that you can import from China depending on your budget. Some of the products that are mostly imported from China to Ghana are clothes, footwear, and sometimes smartphones.
Right after knowing the type of products you are importing to the country, then you have to check the import duties and taxes on these products. It will be very bad to import your goods from China only for them to get locked at the port due to financial constraints.
In Ghana, the Harmonized Code System is used to classify all products that pass through customs. Almost all the products that are imported and exported will be found in the Harmonized Code on the list. You can also check your duty using the duty calculator here.
2. Which Products Are Prohibited From Importing to Ghana And How Long Will It Take To Get To Ghana?
After choosing the product you are importing and checking the duty and customs fees, you must check to see if these products are not prohibited from shipping. If you fail to check and your product is a prohibited product, you will end up losing your money and your product.
Basically, the products that are prohibited from importation to Ghana are acids, aerosols, bleach, cash, animal skins, alcoholic beverages, poison, pornographic materials, valuables like gold, silver, arts, antique painting, precious stones, etc. Here also, the regular prohibited goods like explosives, tobacco, and firearms are also applicable.
Next, you need to know how long your imported product will arrive at the port in Ghana. Although the duration of the importation depends on the product, weight, and supplier, normally, it takes about 47 to 48 days to get your imported goods from China to arrive in Ghana.
If you can afford it, you can use the express port from China to get your goods in Ghana in less than a week. This method though, is a little bit expensive as compared to the normal method and your products should weigh between 1 to 30,000 kg.
Also, car planes deliver products from China to Ghana in 2-10 days and this is also a little bit expensive compared to the traditional method. Once you ship your product, you will be given a tracking code and an expected arrival date.
3. Choose Your Supplier
Choosing your supplier is the most important step of the entire importation product and that’s why I placed it on number 3, right after knowing the product you are importing. The supplier is the one you will buy the product from in China and might also be the one who will ship the product to you in Ghana.
The most used suppliers in China are Alibaba (Alibaba.com) and Made in China (made-in-china.com). Alibaba is the most used and has verified suppliers and factories and thus, you rest assured that your money is in safe hands and that you will get your product.
Scroll through the catalog of each supplier and choose the products you like while factoring in the cost of the products and your budget.
PRO TIP: If possible, check the reviews under the supplier of the products you select to see how he/she served past clients. If you spot red flags, ignore that supplier and choose another one.
4. Choose Your Mode of Shipping From China to Ghana
There are several modes of shipping from China to Ghana that are available for you to choose from, door to door shipping from China to Ghana, full container shipping to Ghana, LCL shipping, Alibaba express Ghana.
Door to Door Shipping
Just as the name suggests, this method involves a third-party company. The company will handle the shipping and clearing of the product from China to Ghana. All you need to do is to pay for the charges and the products will be delivered to your doorstep in Ghana.
FCL Shipping
This mode of shipping applies to people who import huge products from China to Ghana. With this mode, you ship a full container that contains all your products at once. This is a little bit expensive but more secure if you are importing huge products.
LCL Shipping
Unlike FCL shipping, this method applies to those importing small or medium quantities of products. All you do is pay for the container space you will be using but there’s a risk of your product getting damaged, although it’s very rare.
Alibaba Express Ghana
Using Alibaba express, you can order and get your goods in time with the cheapest shipping fees. Also, the shipment service is very secure and trustworthy.
5. Pay the required fees and ask for all the necessary documents
After buying your products, the next thing is to pay the required fees for both the product and the shipping. If you choose Alibaba, the shipping will be done for you, but you need to pay the product and shipment fees.
After paying the required fees, make sure that you take the necessary proof of payments for future references. Also, ask for all the documents needed when clearing your goods at the port in Ghana. Once the ship leaves China, the supplier will be given the original Bill of Loading, make the Invoice, Packing List, and other necessary documents, and can be sent to you by international express like FedEx, DHL, etc.
6. Gather all the documents and clear your good from the port
Once your goods arrive at the port, the final thing will be to clear the goods from the port and then send them home and sell or do whatever you want with them.
Conclusion
After reading this article, you shouldn’t find it difficult to ship from China to Ghana without having to travel to China. The points in this article are straightforward and can be easily understood by everyone.
Take your time and read through it and you will be good to go. Have you ever shipped from China to Ghana before? Share your experience with us in the comments section below.
