Shipping a car from Vancouver to Ghana is one of those things that sounds more complicated than it actually is. Yes, it involves paperwork, port logistics, customs rules, and a healthy dose of patience. But once you break it down step by step, the process becomes manageable, especially if you’re working with a shipping company like West Africa RORO. If you’ve been considering sending your vehicle across the Atlantic—whether it’s for personal use, family, or resale—this guide will help you understand what to expect, how to prepare, and where you may want to be cautious before committing.
Why Ship a Car from Vancouver to Ghana?
People have different motivations for shipping vehicles overseas. In the case of Ghana, cars remain a highly sought-after commodity, largely because imported vehicles often cost less than buying brand-new locally. You might be a Ghanaian living in Canada who wants to send a family car back home, or a business-minded individual hoping to sell used cars for profit in Accra, Kumasi, or Takoradi. There’s also the practical side: some cars simply aren’t available in Ghana, or at least not in the trim, quality, or mileage you can find in Canada.
Vancouver, while far from West Africa geographically, is still a hub for exports. The port handles a variety of international shipments, and vehicles are part of that ecosystem. That said, sending a car from the west coast of Canada to Ghana isn’t the same as shipping from, say, New York or Baltimore. The routes, transit times, and costs differ, and knowing these details can save you frustration later.
What Is RORO and Why Choose It?
RORO—short for Roll-On/Roll-Off—is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of lifting cars into containers with cranes, vehicles are driven directly onto a specialized ship, secured on deck or in a storage hold, and then rolled off once they reach the destination port. It’s the preferred method for shipping cars, trucks, buses, and even heavy machinery. West Africa RORO specializes in this type of shipping, particularly to Ghana and other ports along the Gulf of Guinea.
Why might someone choose RORO over container shipping? The most obvious reason is cost. Container shipping tends to be more expensive, not just because of the container itself but also because fewer cars can fit per container. With RORO, you’re paying for space on a vessel designed to transport hundreds of vehicles at once. The trade-off, of course, is that you don’t have the extra layer of protection a container provides. The car will be exposed to sea air and weather changes, though most people accept that as part of the deal. Unless you’re shipping a luxury or classic car, RORO is usually the economical choice.
The Vancouver-to-Ghana Route
One of the things people sometimes overlook is that Vancouver isn’t as directly connected to West Africa as ports on the east coast of North America. Because of this, cars shipped from Vancouver to Ghana often make stops or transfers along the way. The vehicle might first go to a European port—like Antwerp or Hamburg—before being rerouted to Tema or Takoradi in Ghana. This can stretch out the transit time. While a car shipped from Baltimore to Ghana may take around 25–30 days, from Vancouver it could easily extend to 40–55 days, depending on the shipping schedule and route.
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it does mean you should plan accordingly. If you need the vehicle in Ghana by a specific date—say, before a family wedding or to get it registered before new import duties kick in—you’ll want to work backwards from that date and choose your sailing carefully.
Costs You Can Expect
Shipping costs fluctuate, and anyone who tells you there’s a fixed price without checking current rates is oversimplifying. As of 2025, sending a standard sedan from Vancouver to Ghana with RORO often ranges between $1,700 and $2,400. Larger vehicles—SUVs, vans, or pickup trucks—will naturally push higher, sometimes $2,800 or more. Fuel costs, global shipping demand, and port fees can all influence these numbers.
But freight isn’t the only expense. You’ll also need to factor in:
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Port fees in Vancouver: These cover loading, handling, and administrative costs.
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Destination charges in Ghana: Tema Port, for instance, has customs clearance fees, handling charges, and storage fees if you can’t pick up your car quickly.
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Customs duties and taxes: Ghana has a structured system of import duties that depend on the age, engine size, and type of vehicle. For example, importing a 10-year-old SUV will likely incur heavier duties than a three-year-old sedan.
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Additional services: Some people opt for insurance coverage beyond the carrier’s liability, which is usually minimal.
A common mistake is budgeting only for the shipping invoice and forgetting these add-ons. In reality, your “$2,000” shipping may end up closer to $5,000 once everything is accounted for, especially if customs duties run high.
Preparing Your Car for Shipment
Here’s where people sometimes get tripped up. You can’t just drive your car to the port and hand over the keys. Preparing the vehicle is a structured process.
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Clean the car thoroughly: This is both for inspection and to ensure customs can check it properly.
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Remove personal belongings: RORO shipping typically does not allow extra cargo inside the car. Some shippers may turn a blind eye, but if customs in Ghana finds extra goods, you may face fines or delays.
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Document everything: Take photos of the car from all angles, inside and out. This helps if there’s any dispute about damage later.
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Ensure the car is in working order: Since it needs to be driven onto the ship, your vehicle should start, steer, and brake properly. A dead battery or empty fuel tank could complicate things.
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Prepare paperwork: At minimum, you’ll need the car’s title, proof of ownership, and sometimes an export certificate. West Africa RORO typically guides customers through this, but it’s your responsibility to provide accurate documents.
Skipping steps can cause serious delays. For example, if you leave personal items inside and customs flags them, your car could sit in port for weeks until the matter is resolved.
Customs and Regulations in Ghana
Customs clearance is often the most stressful part of the process for people unfamiliar with Ghana’s import system. Ghana Revenue Authority oversees vehicle imports, and duties depend heavily on the car’s age and specifications. Vehicles older than 10 years, for instance, face higher taxes, which is partly designed to discourage the importation of older, less environmentally friendly cars.
It’s also worth noting that corruption—though it has improved in recent years—can still be a factor. Some importers complain about “unofficial fees” at certain steps of the process. While not every experience is negative, it’s wise to have a trustworthy agent in Ghana who can handle clearance and make sure your car doesn’t languish in port while costs accumulate.
Why Choose West Africa RORO?
At this point, you may be wondering why not just pick any shipping company. The answer comes down to specialization. Not every international shipper has experience with West African routes, and not every company is familiar with Ghana’s regulatory environment. West Africa RORO has built its reputation by focusing specifically on this corridor, meaning they understand the nuances—everything from how to time shipments to avoid port congestion, to which routes minimize delays.
Customers also point out that the company provides realistic timelines. Some shippers promise fast delivery just to win business, but seasoned carriers know better. It’s often safer to prepare a client for a 50-day wait than to overpromise and frustrate them when the car hasn’t arrived.
Tips to Make the Process Smoother
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Start early: Shipping schedules fill up, especially during the summer months when more people send cars overseas.
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Budget generously: Assume the final cost will be higher than the base quote. That way you won’t be caught off guard.
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Have a contact in Ghana: Whether it’s family or a customs agent, someone on the ground can make clearance much easier.
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Stay flexible: Weather, port strikes, or global shipping slowdowns can all affect timelines. Expecting perfection in international logistics is setting yourself up for disappointment.
A personal note: I once knew someone who shipped a Toyota Corolla from Vancouver to Tema. Everything went smoothly until customs asked for an unexpected inspection fee. It wasn’t a huge amount—maybe $150—but because they hadn’t budgeted for it, it became stressful. That small detail reinforces the idea that in international shipping, it’s rarely the big, obvious costs that cause headaches. It’s the small, overlooked ones.
Is It Worth It?
Whether shipping a car from Vancouver to Ghana is “worth it” depends on your situation. For someone sending a reliable family car that still has years of use left, it often makes financial sense. For resellers, the profit margin may still be attractive, especially on SUVs and pickups. But if you’re sending an older vehicle or something with questionable mechanical condition, the costs may outweigh the benefits once duties and repairs are factored in.
In short, it’s not a one-size-fits-all answer. The key is to research carefully, get accurate quotes, and weigh the pros and cons honestly.
Final Thoughts
Shipping a car from Vancouver to Ghana with West Africa RORO is a practical option, provided you approach it with realistic expectations. The process isn’t always fast, it isn’t always cheap, and it certainly isn’t without its bureaucratic headaches. But with the right preparation, it can be done smoothly—and thousands of cars make the journey every year. If you take the time to plan, budget, and choose the right shipping partner, there’s a good chance your vehicle will be on the streets of Accra or Kumasi before long.