The business of importing cars from the United States to Ghana has grown into something of a well-oiled machine. Walk through Tema port on any given week, and you’ll see rows of vehicles—sedans, SUVs, and the occasional pickup—rolling off ships that left Baltimore, New Jersey, or Savannah weeks earlier. Many of these cars were bought not from traditional dealerships but from online auto auction sites.
In 2025, the landscape of car auctions in the US is both competitive and somewhat tricky. For buyers in Ghana—whether individual importers, car dealers, or entrepreneurs trying to build a fleet—choosing the right auction platform can mean the difference between a profitable deal and a costly mistake. The platforms vary in pricing, accessibility, and the kind of vehicles they put up for sale. Some are straightforward; others appear affordable until you factor in fees, shipping, and clearing costs in Ghana.
So, which auction sites are the best bets this year for Ghanaians looking to source cars from the US? Let’s break it down by looking at the big players and how they stack up when you’re thinking about value, reliability, and the realities of getting those vehicles across the Atlantic.
Copart: The Salvage Giant That Ghanaians Love
For years, Copart has been the go-to name for many Ghanaian car importers. The company specializes in salvage and insurance vehicles—cars that have been written off by insurance companies due to accidents, floods, or theft recovery.
Why does it appeal so much to Ghanaian buyers? Price. A Toyota Corolla with minor accident damage may cost under $3,000 at Copart, while the same car in ready-to-drive condition at a dealership could cost double that. Many buyers in Ghana are willing to take the risk, knowing that local mechanics can restore vehicles at lower labor costs.
But Copart is not without challenges. It requires a broker license to participate in most states, which means Ghanaian buyers often have to work with middlemen in the US. This adds a layer of cost—sometimes $200 to $500 per vehicle—and you’re putting trust in someone else to handle bidding and paperwork. And then there’s the gamble: some “lightly damaged” cars turn out to have deeper structural issues that don’t reveal themselves until after shipment.
Still, for those who are experienced in buying salvage cars and budgeting for repairs, Copart remains a strong option in 2025. The sheer scale of its inventory—it auctions over two million cars annually—means there’s always something that fits within budget.
IAAI (Insurance Auto Auctions): Copart’s Rival
Insurance Auto Auctions (IAAI) operates in a similar space as Copart, focusing heavily on salvage vehicles. Some Ghanaian importers actually prefer IAAI, claiming the cars there tend to be less aggressively bid up compared to Copart.
An importer I spoke with last year told me that IAAI “feels calmer.” In his experience, Copart auctions attract a huge global audience, which drives up prices, while IAAI seems slightly less crowded. That can mean better deals, although the selection is a bit smaller.
One downside, however, is access. Like Copart, IAAI often requires a broker to bid on cars unless you hold a US dealer license. Some Ghanaian buyers use Ghana-based agents who already have relationships with brokers in the States. This works but introduces another layer of fees.
Still, if you’re targeting reliable brands like Toyota, Honda, or Hyundai and are comfortable with salvage, IAAI is worth comparing against Copart before making a decision.
Manheim: Where the Dealers Go
While Copart and IAAI are full of wrecked cars waiting for a second life, Manheim operates on a different level. It is the largest wholesale auto auction in the US and caters mainly to licensed car dealers. The inventory is massive—millions of vehicles, from ex-rental fleets to dealer trade-ins to near-new models.
For Ghanaians looking to buy cars in 2025, Manheim is something of a gold mine, but there’s a catch. Access is limited. You generally need to be a licensed dealer or work with one. That means many importers in Ghana have to rely on trusted agents in the US to buy on their behalf.
The upside? The cars at Manheim are often in much better condition than what you’d find at Copart or IAAI. A 2021 Toyota Camry with 40,000 miles may appear here, still in excellent condition, and fetch a price that looks steep compared to salvage but makes sense once you factor in fewer repairs and a quicker resale in Ghana.
Some Ghanaians prefer paying a bit more upfront at Manheim because it reduces the uncertainty of repairs. A buyer who once tried his luck at Copart and ended up with a flood-damaged vehicle put it simply: “I’d rather sleep peacefully with a Manheim car than lose money chasing a cheap deal.”
ACV Auctions: The Digital Challenger
A relatively newer player, ACV Auctions has been gaining ground by focusing on a fully digital dealer-to-dealer marketplace. Cars are listed with detailed condition reports, photos, and even audio recordings of engine sounds. For buyers in Ghana, this kind of transparency is a breath of fresh air.
The platform may not yet have the same scale as Manheim, but it appeals to dealers who want a straightforward process without too many hidden surprises. Of course, ACV is also dealer-focused, which means Ghanaian buyers still need to work through a US-based partner.
In 2025, though, ACV’s emphasis on accurate reporting may save Ghanaians money in the long run by reducing the chances of buying a lemon that ends up costing thousands in repairs after shipping.
eBay Motors: The Wild Card
Not every car importer in Ghana wants to stick to the big auction platforms. Some take chances with eBay Motors, which works like a hybrid between a marketplace and an auction site. Here you’ll find everything from vintage Mustangs to regular sedans listed by individuals or small dealers.
eBay Motors can be both a blessing and a headache. On the one hand, you might stumble on a well-kept Honda Accord from a private seller at a fair price. On the other, you might deal with incomplete descriptions, sellers unwilling to ship to ports, or cars that don’t quite match the glowing online photos.
That said, eBay is sometimes where niche buyers go hunting. If you’re after something unusual—say, a left-hand-drive pickup or a classic SUV—it can be the place to look. Just don’t go in blind. Vet sellers carefully, use escrow services if possible, and always factor in shipping arrangements separately.
How Shipping to Ghana Fits Into the Equation
No matter which auction site you choose, the story doesn’t end with the winning bid. Getting the car onto a ship and through Tema or Takoradi port is a major part of the cost structure.
In 2025, shipping a sedan from the East Coast of the US to Ghana typically ranges between $1,200 and $1,800. Larger SUVs and pickups can cost $2,000 or more. Add to this the import duties, clearing fees, and port charges in Ghana, and suddenly that “cheap” $3,000 car looks more like a $7,000 investment.
This is where the choice of auction site matters. Saving $500 on a bid at Copart loses its shine if you spend double that fixing undisclosed damage after it arrives in Ghana. On the other hand, paying a bit more at Manheim may mean fewer headaches at Abossey Okai when mechanics inspect the car.
Tips for Ghanaian Buyers in 2025
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Work with trusted agents. Unless you have a US dealer license, you’ll need brokers or partners to access most auctions. Choose carefully—scams and shady operators do exist.
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Always check condition reports. Copart and IAAI provide basic information, but don’t rely only on photos. Ask for detailed reports when possible.
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Calculate total landed cost. Include auction fees, broker charges, shipping, clearing, and repairs. Too many new buyers focus only on the winning bid.
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Time your purchases. The US market has seasonal trends. Prices often dip at the end of the year when dealers clear inventory, which may benefit Ghanaian buyers shipping in bulk.
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Know your market in Ghana. Some cars sell faster than others. Toyota Corolla and Camry models are still kings in Ghana because of parts availability and resale demand.
Wrapping It Up
The best US auction site for buying cars to ship to Ghana in 2025 isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. Copart and IAAI continue to dominate the salvage market and attract buyers willing to gamble on repairs. Manheim offers cleaner, dealer-quality cars at higher prices but less risk. ACV adds a digital-first option with strong condition reporting, while eBay Motors serves as the unpredictable wildcard.
The real trick is balancing your budget, your appetite for risk, and your target market in Ghana. A dealer importing cars for resale in Kumasi may think differently than an individual trying to save money on a family SUV.
What’s clear is that auctions remain one of the most cost-effective ways to source vehicles for Ghana in 2025, provided you approach them with open eyes, realistic calculations, and trusted partners. The ships will keep arriving at Tema, loaded with cars that started life in an online bidding war thousands of miles away. The question is simply: which platform will you be bidding on?