How to Sell in Ghana as a Foreign Supplier: GSA, GRA and Getting Started

If you supply goods from abroad and want to sell in Ghana as a foreign company, you will deal with two authorities before your first container is released: the Ghana Standards Authority (GSA), which handles product conformity, and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), whose Customs division assesses duties and clears goods through its ICUMS system. This guide explains how both work, what the GSA's EASYPASS programme is and why its status needs a careful check, and where your Ghanaian buyer and their clearing agent come in. It uses official GSA and GRA pages checked in October 2026. Rules change, so confirm with the GSA, GRA or a licensed clearing agent before you ship.

GSA verification of conformity and EASYPASS

The GSA describes Verification of Conformity under the Ghana EASYPASS programme as a pre-shipment check. Before goods leave the exporting country, the GSA verifies that they meet applicable Ghanaian or international standards, and goods that pass receive a Certificate of Conformity, which the GSA says speeds clearance in Ghana.

The GSA's own document describes the process as follows: the importer or exporter applies through the GSA EASYPASS portal with product details, invoices, existing conformity documents and a request form. The application is routed to Route A (open to any good and any trader), Route B (registration, for goods already registered with the GSA) or Route C (licensing, for goods already licensed). The GSA then reviews documents, tests samples where needed and inspects. If results are satisfactory it issues an EASYPASS Certificate, and otherwise a Non-Conformity Report. It also mentions a Statement of Registration and a Statement of Licensing for products with an established conformity history. The document does not mention any fees, so ask the GSA what applies. The contact given on the document is easypass@gsa.gov.gh.

The product groups listed include mineral products, chemicals, plastics and rubber, textiles, base metals, machinery and electrical equipment, and miscellaneous manufactured articles. It also lists used products, with some prohibited items such as undergarments, mattresses and LPG cylinders.

Is EASYPASS mandatory? Read this carefully. The GSA's verification-of-conformity document says the programme is mandatory for applicable imports from 1 July 2026. A separate GSA statement published on 22 July 2026 says the programme has run for ten years, is not a new policy, levy or regulatory requirement, and that businesses that do not opt in continue to trade under the existing conformity assessment arrangements. Those two descriptions are hard to reconcile, and local trade bodies have asked for consultation, so we are not going to tell you which one controls your shipment. Ask the GSA in writing, and ask your Ghanaian buyer and clearing agent what they are being asked for at the port right now.

GRA Customs: what an importer needs

The GRA's import procedures page lists what must be in hand before or when goods arrive: the original waybill or bill of lading, an attested invoice, a packing list, an Import Declaration Form (IDF) from the Ministry of Trade, the importer's TIN or GhanaCard PIN, and permits from regulatory agencies depending on the goods. It gives the Food and Drugs Authority and the GSA as examples of those agencies.

That means your Ghanaian buyer needs to be a registered business with a TIN. The GRA registration page lists a certificate of incorporation or business registration, the director or owner's Ghana Card, business location details and financial statements for businesses registering. It does not list requirements for non-residents, so a foreign company that wants its own tax registration in Ghana should ask the GRA directly.

ICUMS, clearing agents and duty payment

According to the GRA, the clearing agent submits the declaration in the Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), which processes it in three stages: classification, valuation and approval. After successful processing the agent pays duties and taxes at participating banks using a generated tax bill. The GRA says the amount depends on the cost of the goods, their type and the applicable rates, and its FAQ says duties on general goods are based on CIF value and the HS code rate. We are not quoting rates because they depend on the HS code and can change.

The GRA FAQ also states that clearance at the ports currently requires clearing agents by law. Inspection is risk-based: red means mandatory physical examination, yellow a digital scan and green release at the gate with automatic scanning. For pricing, our guide to true landed cost shows what to add to a quote. For regional context, see our Ghana sourcing guide and ECOWAS trade regulations.

Who should the buyer be?

Most foreign suppliers sell to a Ghanaian importer, wholesaler or retailer that already has a TIN and a clearing agent. Agree in writing who requests the GSA certificate, who pays for inspection and testing abroad, which Incoterm applies (see our Incoterms guide) and who books the agent. If your goods are food, drugs, cosmetics or similar, find out early about Food and Drugs Authority permits, since the GRA lists them as an example of required permits.

How Comilmart fits in

Comilmart is a marketplace where African buyers look for suppliers. Foreign sellers can register for free and list products for buyers in Ghana and other African markets. You ship the goods yourself. Comilmart does not handle freight, customs clearance, import duties or delivery, and does not guarantee orders. You can show minimum order quantities and tiered pricing, offer sample orders, answer requests for quotation and chat with buyers. Verified supplier checks (KYS) are optional and help a new supplier build trust. Buyer protection holds payment until delivery is confirmed, with a seven-day window to report issues.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need EASYPASS to ship to Ghana? It depends on your product and on how the GSA applies the programme. The GSA has published both a statement that it is mandatory for applicable imports from 1 July 2026 and a statement that businesses not opting in continue under existing arrangements. Confirm with the GSA before you ship.

Do I need a clearing agent in Ghana? The GRA FAQ says clearance at the ports currently requires clearing agents by law. Your buyer usually appoints one.

What import duty will I pay? The GRA says duties on general goods are based on CIF value and the HS code rate. Ask a clearing agent for the current rate for your code.

Will Comilmart clear my goods? No. You ship the goods and your buyer or their agent handles Ghanaian customs.

Getting started

Check your HS code, ask the GSA whether your goods need EASYPASS verification, and speak to a Ghanaian clearing agent about the current duty and timing. Then create a free Comilmart account, list products with MOQs and price tiers, and explore the supplier directory to see how verified suppliers present themselves. Official pages used: the GSA verification of conformity document, the GSA statement on EASYPASS, GRA import procedures and the GRA customs FAQ.