GEPA Export Registration for Ghanaian Food Exporters (2026)

Selling food outside Ghana starts with paperwork, and the first piece is GEPA export registration. The Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) is the national export trade support institution for non-traditional exports, and its exporter portal sets out the route from business registration to the border. This guide summarises that route for Ghanaian food exporters in Accra, Kumasi, Tamale and Takoradi, using GEPA and FDA pages read in October 2026. Because procedures change, confirm each step with GEPA before you act.

GEPA export registration: who it serves

According to GEPA's FAQ page, the Authority supports Ghana's non-traditional exports and lists over 383 non-traditional products in three groups: agricultural, processed or semi-processed, and handicrafts. Traditional exports on the same page include unprocessed gold ore, cocoa beans, timber logs, electricity, fresh fish and fresh yam; every other product is non-traditional. The page notes that a Ministry of Trade and Industry directive dated 7 April 2000 told exporters to register, and that registration is renewed annually. Stated objectives include building a database for export support programmes, matching exporters with foreign buyers and monitoring exporter performance. Read it on the GEPA FAQ page.

GEPA export registration: the steps

GEPA's export procedures page lists the sequence:

Register your business with the Registrar General's Department.
Register as an exporter with GEPA by submitting its registration form with photocopies of your business registration certificates.
Contact the relevant Permit-Issuing Agencies (PIAs) where needed for inspection of your premises and production facilities.
The PIA sends an inspection report and recommendations to GEPA, with a copy to you. GEPA completes registration, issues your certificate and sends a copy to the Ghana Revenue Authority.
For each shipment, the PIA tests product samples, inspects the consignment and issues an Export Consignment Certificate.
Obtain any other required documents, such as a Certificate of Origin or Phytosanitary Certificate.
Present all documents to GRA Customs at the exit point, and notify the importer of the consignment details.

The FDA issues food export permits (see below); ask GEPA which other agencies apply to your product. See the full page at GEPA export procedures.

Documents GEPA asks for

The FAQ page lists the registration requirements by business type. A limited liability company needs a Certificate of Incorporation, a Certificate to Commence Business, the company's Regulation Code, a Tax Identification Number and an email address. A sole proprietorship needs a Certificate of Registration, Form A and an email address. GEPA's electronic single window page describes registration as taking about one to two days if the documents are ready, but says the online portal was not yet live when we read it, with no launch date. The Register as an exporter page offers a form asking for company name, registration number, TIN and location, and Register and Renew buttons linking to a government portal; it states no fees or validity. Fees are not stated on any GEPA page we read, so ask GEPA for the current position. Start from the GEPA exporter registration page.

ETLS approval for selling within West Africa

If you manufacture and export within West Africa, GEPA's FAQ describes the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) as a scheme to remove tariff and non-tariff barriers within ECOWAS. After GEPA registration, you obtain the ETLS Registration Form from GEPA and return it completed, and GEPA forwards it to the ECOWAS Secretariat in Abuja for approval. The page advises first-time registrants to list future products, because otherwise a separate application is needed for each new product. To understand how duty rules compare across blocs, see our explainer on ECOWAS and EAC import duties.

FDA export permits and food-specific documents

Food exporters also need FDA documents. The FDA's imports and exports control page says a letter of intent goes to FDA Head Office at Tema or to any regional office, with a packing list, commercial invoice, copy of the FDA product registration certificate, certificates of analysis and phytosanitary reports where applicable. Every export must have an approved Export Permit and a Manufacture and Free Sale Certificate, and permits are valid for one year. Our article on Ghana FDA registration for food manufacturers covers the licence and product registration that come before this step, and the FDA export page lists the ports where FDA operates.

Preparing your first shipment

With registration in place, plan the commercial side as carefully as the paperwork. Agree product specifications, packaging and labelling with the buyer before you pack; see packaging, labelling and shelf life for agro exports. If you sell dried fruit, read our guide to exporting dried mango and pineapple from Ghana for a worked example of the buyer process. Remember that you arrange and pay for shipping and customs clearance; Comilmart does not handle freight, customs, duties or delivery.

Keeping your registration current

GEPA says registration is renewed annually, so diarise the renewal date and keep your company documents, TIN and contact details up to date, because the registration form asks for them. Keep copies of every Export Consignment Certificate, permit and customs document for each shipment in one file, labelled by buyer and date. Buyers and banks often ask for these records when you quote for repeat orders, and a tidy file also helps if a shipment is queried at the border.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to register with GEPA to export food? GEPA says a ministry directive told exporters to register and that registration is renewed annually. Confirm your obligation with GEPA.

How long does GEPA registration take? The electronic single window page says about one to two days when documents are ready, but it also says the portal was not yet live. Allow extra time for PIA inspections.

What does GEPA registration cost? We did not find a fee on the pages we read. Ask GEPA.

Can a sole proprietor register? Yes. GEPA lists requirements for sole proprietorships, including Form A.

Which payment methods does Comilmart support for suppliers? Ask Comilmart through live chat or /contact-us.

Getting started

When your GEPA export registration is under way, apply as a supplier at /apply-manufacturer to reach buyers. It is free to apply. The form asks for your company registration number, tax number, business licence, registration certificate and at least two sample product images, and admin review is stated as taking about 24 to 48 hours. Choose the category that fits your products. Buyers can post requests at /request-quotation. Always confirm current registration steps with GEPA before you rely on this guide.