Customs is the part of international shipping that catches people out: the package arrives, and then comes a second bill, a trip to the port, and paperwork. This guide explains how it works — and how Golly removes the surprise.
How import duty normally works
Goods entering Ghana are assessed for duty and related charges based on what they are and what they are worth. Someone has to declare them, someone has to pay, and until that happens the goods wait. Shipped naively, that someone is you, at the port, after the fact.
How it works with Golly
Duty and customs are included in the price you are quoted before you commit. When your shipment lands, we clear it — the declaration, the assessment, the payment — and then deliver it to your address anywhere in Ghana. Nothing is waiting for you at the port and nothing is collected at your door.
The estimate in the app shows the full breakdown — shipping, duty and customs, and delivery — so you can see what each part costs before you approve it. The figure you approve is the figure that leaves your account, in cedis, by Mobile Money or card.
Does this apply to sea shipments too?
Yes. Barrels and container shipments clear the same way: included in the quoted price, handled on arrival, delivered to the door. See sending a barrel from New York.
What cannot clear
Some goods are prohibited outright: flammable liquids, aerosols, batteries shipped on their own, weapons, perishables and restricted goods. No amount of duty makes these shippable — ask us before you order if you are unsure.
The one thing to remember
With Golly there is no separate customs step for you. If you saw the price and approved it, customs is already done. The FAQ covers the rest.