Shipping a car overseas can feel intimidating at first, especially when the journey begins in Canada and ends at Tema Port, Ghana’s busiest gateway for international trade. Between paperwork, logistics, and the challenge of trusting your vehicle to a company you might never have worked with before, there’s a lot to weigh up. That’s why many people end up leaning toward a specialized provider like USG Shipping, a company with experience in moving vehicles across long and complex trade routes.
But before simply handing over the keys, it’s worth taking a closer look at what the process involves. How does shipping from Canada to Tema Port actually work? What sort of costs should you anticipate? And, perhaps just as important, are there hidden trade-offs that glossy brochures or sales pitches might skip over? Let’s unpack the entire journey step by step.
Why Tema Port Is the Preferred Destination
For anyone exporting a car from Canada to Ghana, Tema Port is the most common entry point. Located on the eastern side of Accra, Tema is not just a seaport—it’s a central hub for Ghana’s growing automotive import market. Many Canadian Ghanaians, as well as car dealers who purchase vehicles in North America, route their shipments here.
Choosing Tema isn’t only about convenience. Ghana has made ongoing investments to expand the port’s capacity, reduce congestion, and speed up customs clearance. These improvements are not flawless—bottlenecks still occur, and paperwork can occasionally get stuck in bureaucratic loops—but compared to Takoradi or other regional ports, Tema usually offers the smoothest experience for car imports.
Why People Ship Cars from Canada to Ghana
Not everyone understands why someone would go through the trouble of moving a car halfway across the world when Ghana already has a lively used car market. But the reality is that vehicles from Canada often come with advantages that make the effort worthwhile.
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Cost and Value: Cars in Canada, especially slightly used ones, are often significantly cheaper than their Ghanaian counterparts. Even after adding shipping fees, duties, and taxes, buyers sometimes save thousands of dollars.
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Condition: Many Canadian vehicles are well-maintained, with service records, relatively low mileage, and access to quality parts.
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Variety: Certain models—say, specific trims of Toyota, Nissan, or luxury brands—are easier to find in North America than in Ghana.
Of course, these benefits are balanced by risks. Harsh Canadian winters can expose cars to salt corrosion, and shipping timelines aren’t always predictable. Still, for many buyers, the upside outweighs the drawbacks.
Why USG Shipping Often Comes Up in the Conversation
If you start researching shipping companies for this route, USG Shipping appears frequently. Their marketing emphasizes experience with West Africa, door-to-port solutions, and familiarity with Ghana’s import procedures. Unlike some smaller brokers that simply hand off your vehicle to a third party, USG presents itself as hands-on, managing logistics from start to finish.
That said, no shipping company is perfect. Some customers report quick responses and smooth handling, while others mention communication delays or unexpected charges. These mixed reviews are not unique to USG—almost every international shipping provider has them—but they’re worth keeping in mind as you compare options.
The Shipping Process: Step by Step
Let’s walk through what it actually looks like to ship a car from Canada to Tema with USG Shipping. The process may sound straightforward on paper, but there are small details that can make or break the experience.
Step 1: Requesting a Quote
The starting point is reaching out to USG Shipping with details about your vehicle: make, model, year, dimensions, and location in Canada. They’ll also ask if you want to drop the car off at a designated port or have it picked up from your address.
Quotes can vary widely depending on the season, fuel costs, and space availability. Some customers may notice that quotes shift if they wait too long to book, which can feel frustrating but is fairly common in global logistics.
Step 2: Preparing Your Vehicle
Once you commit, the car needs to be prepared for export. That means removing personal belongings (customs officials in both Canada and Ghana are strict about this), ensuring the fuel tank is less than a quarter full, and double-checking that the vehicle is in drivable condition.
USG often advises clients to document the car thoroughly—photos of the exterior, interior, and odometer readings. It may sound like overkill, but those pictures can protect you if there’s a dispute about damage during transit.
Step 3: Transportation to the Departure Port
For Canadians shipping from Toronto, Montreal, or Vancouver, USG typically arranges ground transport to the nearest port. This is where some hidden costs may creep in. For example, if you’re based in Winnipeg, you’ll likely pay extra for the overland haul to Montreal. That fee can surprise people who assumed “shipping cost” referred only to the ocean leg of the journey.
Step 4: Choosing Shipping Method—RORO vs. Container
USG offers two main shipping methods:
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RORO (Roll-On/Roll-Off): Your car is driven onto the vessel, secured in place, and driven off at Tema. It’s generally the cheaper option and works well for standard vehicles.
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Container Shipping: Your car is loaded into a container, sometimes with other goods. It costs more but offers added protection. Some clients choose this for higher-value vehicles or when shipping household items alongside the car.
Each method has trade-offs. RORO is affordable and straightforward, but your car is exposed to more handling. Containers feel safer, but delays are more common if customs decides to inspect the entire container.
Step 5: Documentation and Customs
Paperwork is where the process can stall if you’re not careful. At minimum, you’ll need:
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Original vehicle title and registration
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Bill of sale (if recently purchased)
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Passport copy or ID of the receiver in Ghana
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USG’s shipping documents, including the Bill of Lading
Some Canadian provinces may require additional export declarations. And in Ghana, import duties and clearing fees can add up quickly. USG usually provides guidance, but ultimately the importer is responsible for paying taxes and ensuring compliance.
Step 6: Arrival at Tema Port
When the vessel docks at Tema, the car isn’t immediately released. Customs inspection, port handling fees, and clearing agent services all stand between you and your keys. Many Ghanaians work with trusted clearing agents who know the system and can speed things up. Without such help, delays are not unusual.
USG can recommend agents, but you’re free to choose your own. Some importers prefer independent agents because they believe it keeps costs more transparent.
Costs to Expect
Let’s talk numbers, because shipping isn’t cheap. While exact prices fluctuate, here’s a realistic breakdown:
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Ocean freight from Canada to Tema: Around $1,200–$1,800 for RORO; $2,000–$3,000 for container.
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Overland transport in Canada: $300–$800 depending on distance to the port.
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Port and handling fees in Ghana: Typically $300–$600.
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Customs duties and taxes in Ghana: This is the big one, often 40–50% of the car’s CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value.
What surprises many first-time shippers is how duties nearly double the overall cost. It may feel unfair, but Ghana relies heavily on import taxes as government revenue. That’s why some importers buy cheaper cars in Canada with the expectation that duties will inflate the final price.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Even with a reliable company like USG, things can go wrong. Cars sometimes arrive later than expected, extra charges pop up, or paperwork isn’t in order. To avoid these headaches, a few tips stand out:
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Get your quote in writing and clarify what’s included (port fees, inland transport, documentation).
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Keep multiple copies of your paperwork—digital and physical.
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Hire a clearing agent in Ghana before your car arrives, not after.
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Stay flexible on timelines. Vessels may be delayed by weather, port congestion, or strikes.
Alternative Perspectives: Is It Always Worth It?
While many Canadians find shipping to Ghana worthwhile, not everyone comes out ahead. Some buyers discover that after duties, agent fees, and unexpected expenses, their car cost nearly the same as buying locally. Others are frustrated by the wait—what was supposed to be six weeks sometimes stretches into three months.
That doesn’t necessarily mean the process is broken. It simply highlights that the decision isn’t just financial. Some people ship cars to Ghana because they want a very specific model, or because they trust Canadian maintenance standards. Others do it to support family back home. Seen in that light, the equation goes beyond numbers.
Why USG May Still Be the Safer Bet
Despite the potential challenges, USG’s experience with Canada-to-Ghana routes gives them an edge. They appear to understand both sides of the transaction—the export procedures in Canada and the import hurdles in Ghana. While no shipping company can guarantee perfection, working with one that has a track record in West Africa may reduce the likelihood of costly mistakes.
Final Thoughts
Shipping a car from Canada to Tema Port with USG Shipping is not a quick or casual undertaking. It involves careful preparation, upfront costs, and a willingness to navigate bureaucratic hurdles. Yet for many people—especially those seeking better value, specific vehicle models, or simply peace of mind about quality—the effort proves worthwhile.
The key is approaching the process with clear eyes. Expect extra fees. Assume there may be delays. And recognize that while USG can smooth many parts of the journey, no company can erase every complication. With the right mindset and proper planning, though, getting your Canadian car onto Ghanaian roads through Tema Port is not only possible but, for many, a rewarding experience.