Shipping a car overseas can feel like stepping into unfamiliar territory, especially when the destination is Ghana and the method is RORO (Roll-on/Roll-off). For many people, this is their first time navigating international shipping, and the details may appear overwhelming at first glance. The term itself—RORO—sounds technical, but the concept is straightforward: vehicles are literally rolled onto a vessel at the port of departure and rolled off once they reach Ghana. The simplicity of this method is one reason it has become a favorite among individuals and car dealers shipping from the USA to West Africa. But the real question most people ask is: how much does it actually cost?
The answer isn’t as clear-cut as one might hope. Costs vary, and not by a small margin either. Several moving parts—sometimes literally—factor into the final bill. Let’s break it down piece by piece so that you know what to expect before sending off your vehicle.
The Basics of RORO Shipping Costs
At its core, RORO shipping is often cheaper than container shipping. Instead of paying for an entire steel container, you pay for space on the vessel, typically calculated by the size of your vehicle. A compact sedan may cost significantly less than a bulky SUV or pickup truck simply because it takes up less space on the ship’s deck.
On average, people might see costs ranging anywhere from $1,100 to $2,000 when shipping a standard car from a U.S. port to Tema, Ghana. But averages are just that—averages. They don’t always reflect the hidden or fluctuating charges that can creep in depending on your exact situation.
It’s a bit like buying an airline ticket. Two people on the same flight can end up paying very different prices depending on when they booked, what extras they added, or where they started their journey. With car shipping, timing, location, and additional services play equally big roles.
Key Factors That Influence the Price
Vehicle Size and Weight
The shipping line charges based on the “measurement ton” (length × width × height), which means a Ford F-150 will always cost more to ship than a Toyota Corolla. Larger vehicles take more deck space and are heavier to maneuver, both of which drive up costs. Some people underestimate this and assume cost is flat-rate for all cars, but that’s rarely the case.
If you’re thinking about shipping more than one vehicle, expect discounts to be slim. While shipping companies may cut deals for bulk shipments (especially dealers who send cars regularly), for one-off customers, the costs usually stack up linearly.
Port of Departure in the USA
Not all U.S. ports offer direct routes to Ghana. Popular departure points include Baltimore, Newark, Houston, and Savannah. If your car is already close to one of these, you’re in luck. But if you live in, say, Chicago or Denver, you may need to arrange inland transport to the port, which can add hundreds of dollars to the bill.
Some shippers try to save by driving the car to the port themselves, but that’s not always practical. Gas, time, and wear-and-tear can eat into the savings. It’s a small but real trade-off to consider.
Destination Port Fees in Ghana
Many people only focus on the cost from the U.S. side, but Ghana’s port fees and customs duties are substantial. Tema Port, the main entry hub, charges handling fees, security fees, and storage if you don’t pick up your car promptly.
It may sound minor, but delays in clearing your vehicle can quickly add up. For example, leaving your car sitting in port for two weeks could rack up charges that rival your original shipping cost. That’s why experienced shippers always advise arranging customs clearance documents ahead of time.
Seasonal Demand
RORO ships don’t leave every day; schedules can be irregular. Peak shipping seasons, usually around the holidays or just before summer, tend to push costs higher. Shipping companies know demand will surge when expatriates and importers want vehicles delivered before travel seasons or before market shifts.
If your timeline is flexible, you can sometimes shave off a few hundred dollars by shipping in the off-season. But if you need the car urgently, you may have to pay whatever the going rate is at that time.
Currency Fluctuations
This part often gets overlooked. While the base rate may be quoted in U.S. dollars, certain port fees or customs charges in Ghana are pegged to the local currency, the Ghanaian cedi. Exchange rates can swing unexpectedly, which means your final cost could creep up without warning. It’s not the largest factor, but for people working on tight budgets, it matters.
Comparing RORO to Container Shipping
Someone might ask: why not just use container shipping instead? After all, a container feels more secure—your car is locked away, protected from salt air, port workers, and potential dents.
Container shipping has its merits, especially if you’re moving high-value vehicles or shipping personal items inside the car (something not allowed in RORO). But containers are more expensive. A 20-foot container for a single car might run $2,500 to $3,500, while a shared 40-foot container could still cost more than RORO unless you’re splitting it with others.
So the choice isn’t purely about money. It’s about risk tolerance, convenience, and whether the additional protection justifies the higher cost.
Hidden Costs People Often Miss
While most people budget for the obvious charges—shipping rate, port fees, customs duty—there are other, less obvious costs worth mentioning:
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Inland transport in the U.S. if the car isn’t near the departure port.
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Marine insurance to cover potential damage at sea (not mandatory, but highly recommended).
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Clearing agent fees in Ghana, since most people hire an agent to navigate customs rather than handling it themselves.
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Inspection or compliance fees if Ghanaian authorities require verification of vehicle age or roadworthiness.
Skipping insurance or trying to avoid agent fees may seem like a way to save money, but it often backfires. The shipping industry, like air travel, is full of small details that can quickly overwhelm first-timers. Having someone who knows the ropes can end up being worth the extra dollars.
How to Estimate Your Own Costs
If you’re trying to budget realistically, start with three core numbers:
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Shipping quote from the U.S. port to Tema.
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Expected customs duties and taxes in Ghana.
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Miscellaneous fees (insurance, inland transport, agent).
Add these together, and then add a buffer of 10–15%. That buffer may seem unnecessary, but almost everyone who ships a car abroad finds an unexpected expense waiting for them—whether it’s a delay, an extra document requirement, or currency shifts.
One friend of mine shipped a Honda Civic from New Jersey to Ghana thinking it would cost $1,200 all in. By the time customs cleared it, the total was closer to $1,800. Nothing disastrous, but definitely more than planned. Stories like this are common.
Is RORO the Best Option for You?
For many people, yes. RORO shipping is relatively affordable, straightforward, and widely available between the USA and Ghana. Dealers importing multiple cars often rely on it because the math makes sense. Individuals who just want to send a single car to family back home also gravitate toward it because it’s the most cost-effective.
But it’s not perfect. Cars are exposed to the elements during the voyage, and you can’t pack personal belongings inside. If those two points are deal-breakers, then container shipping—despite the extra cost—may be the safer choice.
It’s less about finding the “best” universal method and more about finding what fits your specific needs, budget, and tolerance for risk.
Final Thoughts
Understanding RORO shipping costs to Ghana from the USA isn’t just about getting a price tag—it’s about recognizing all the moving parts that shape the final figure. Vehicle size, departure port, Ghanaian customs fees, and seasonal demand all play their roles, sometimes in unpredictable ways.
If you plan ahead, compare quotes from multiple shipping companies, and keep a realistic buffer in your budget, you’re less likely to be caught off guard. RORO may not be glamorous, but for many, it’s the most practical path to getting a car across the Atlantic without draining the bank account.
So before you ship, ask yourself not only, “How much will this cost?” but also, “What trade-offs am I willing to make?” The answer to that second question often determines whether RORO truly is the right choice for your situation.