International · GH

How to Ship to Ghana from the US

Yes, USPS ships to Ghana. USPS hands the parcel to Ghana Post for delivery. DHL, FedEx and UPS also deliver to Ghana and clear customs for you. For barrels and big boxes, many families use shippers that send by sea.

One thing sets Ghana apart: USPS offers no insurance on Priority Mail International to Ghana. That also means USPS won't take jewelry, gold or gems there. The recipient usually pays import duty, 15% VAT and other levies, all worked out on the value of the goods plus shipping. Below are USPS's real prices, the tax rules and the items USPS won't carry.

Typical 1 lb cost

$38.30–$68.35 by USPS (retail, July 2026)

Typical transit

USPS quotes 6–10 business days for Priority Mail International to major markets; express couriers take a few business days; sea shipments take weeks

Carrier Options to Ghana

USPS First-Class Package International

Cheapest tracked USPS option for small parcels: $21.95 for 8 oz and $38.30 for 1 lb at the Post Office (July 2026). Up to 4 lb and $400 in value.

USPS Priority Mail International

$68.35 for 1 lb and $98.85 for 5 lb at retail, up to 66 lb. USPS offers no insurance on it to Ghana.

USPS Priority Mail Express International

$83.55 for 0.5 lb and $87.00 for 1 lb at retail. The fastest USPS option to Ghana.

DHL, FedEx or UPS

Express couriers that deliver door to door and clear customs for you. Best for valuable or urgent items. Priced per shipment — get a quote.

Barrel and cargo shippers

Used for barrels, big boxes and household goods, usually by sea. Priced per barrel or box.

Customs Forms Required

Every parcel needs a customs form. It prints with the label when you buy postage online. List each item, its value and its country of origin. USPS asks for the recipient's landline and mobile numbers, digital address (GhanaPost GPS code) and email.

Commonly Prohibited Items

✕By USPS: arms, ammunition and offensive weapons
✕By USPS: currency and other valuables
✕By USPS: fish or meat not properly processed
✕By USPS: liquids that are not properly packed
✕By USPS: live animals and narcotics
✕By USPS: pornographic material, infectious biological substances and radioactive materials
✕In practice: jewelry, gold and gems — USPS only takes them by insured Priority Mail International, and that insurance is not offered to Ghana

Ghana-Specific Shipping Tips

💡 Up to 4 lb, First-Class Package International is much cheaper than Priority Mail International: $38.30 vs $68.35 for 1 lb
💡 USPS offers no insurance to Ghana. Use DHL, FedEx or UPS for anything valuable
💡 Add the recipient's GhanaPost GPS digital address, such as GA-123-4567. USPS asks for it
💡 Put both a landline and a mobile number on the form, plus an email address
💡 Pack liquids well, in sealed bottles inside a bag. USPS bans poorly packed liquids to Ghana

How Much Does It Cost to Ship to Ghana?

USPS set these prices on July 12, 2026. They are Post Office (retail) prices. Postage bought online costs a little less. USPS's October 2026 holiday price change did not change international prices.

First-Class Package International (up to 4 lb, up to $400 in value): $21.95 for 8 oz, $38.30 for 1 lb, $42.75 for 2 lb, $57.30 for 3 lb and $72.60 for 4 lb. Online: $36.36 for 1 lb.
Priority Mail International (up to 66 lb, no insurance): $68.35 for 1 lb, $75.00 for 2 lb, $98.85 for 5 lb, $143.05 for 10 lb and $231.95 for 20 lb. Online: $66.15 for 1 lb.
Priority Mail Express International: $83.55 for 0.5 lb, $87.00 for 1 lb and $119.10 for 5 lb.
Couriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS) and barrel shippers: priced per shipment, box or barrel. Get a quote.

💡 Watch the 8 oz line. Up to 8 oz, First-Class Package International is $21.95. One ounce more and it is $38.30. Trim the packing on light parcels.

Duty, VAT and Levies: What the Recipient Pays

Ghana charges tax on the CIF value. That is the price of the goods plus shipping and insurance. The US government's trade guide (August 2025) lists these charges:

Import duty: 0%, 5%, 10%, 20% or 35%, depending on the type of goods.
VAT: 15%, charged on the CIF value plus the duty.
Other levies and fees: these can add up to about 12% of the CIF value.
The recipient pays before Ghana Post or the courier hands the parcel over. A courier may add a fee for clearing customs.

ℹ️ Write an honest value and a clear description on the customs form. A vague description such as 'gift' or 'stuff' is more likely to be held.

What USPS Won't Carry to Ghana

USPS's country rules for Ghana ban arms, ammunition and offensive weapons. They also ban currency and valuables, fish or meat that is not properly processed, liquids that are not properly packed, live animals, narcotics, pornographic material, infectious biological substances and radioactive materials.

Jewelry is the trap. USPS only takes precious metals, gems and jewelry to Ghana by insured Priority Mail International. But USPS does not offer that insurance to Ghana. So in practice, you can't mail jewelry or gold to Ghana by USPS. Use a courier that offers cover.

How to Address a Package to Ghana

Many Ghanaian homes have no street number. Ghana uses a digital address system, GhanaPost GPS. Each place has a code such as GA-123-4567. USPS asks you to include it.

Recipient's full name.
House number and street, if there is one, plus the area or neighborhood.
GhanaPost GPS digital address.
Town or city and region.
GHANA.
On the customs form, add a landline, a mobile number and an email address.

USPS, Courier or Barrel Shipper?

A small gift under 4 lb with nothing valuable inside: USPS First-Class Package International is the cheapest tracked option.
A parcel from 4 lb up to 66 lb: compare Priority Mail International with a courier quote. Remember USPS offers no insurance to Ghana.
Anything valuable, such as phones, laptops or jewelry: use DHL, FedEx or UPS with cover.
Barrels, big boxes and household goods: use a barrel or cargo shipper, usually by sea. Ask how they handle Ghana customs and who pays the duty.

Frequently asked questions

Can USPS ship to Ghana?

Yes. USPS offers First-Class Package International (up to 4 lb), Priority Mail International (up to 66 lb) and Priority Mail Express International to Ghana. Ghana Post delivers the parcel. USPS offers no insurance on Priority Mail International there, and Global Express Guaranteed is not offered.

What is the cheapest way to ship to Ghana from the US?

For a small parcel up to 4 lb, USPS First-Class Package International is usually cheapest. It costs $21.95 for 8 oz, $38.30 for 1 lb and $42.75 for 2 lb at the Post Office (July 2026). Online it is $36.36 for 1 lb. For barrels and big boxes, sea shippers usually cost less per pound.

How much does it cost to send a package to Ghana?

USPS retail prices from July 12, 2026: First-Class Package International is $38.30 for 1 lb and $72.60 for 4 lb. Priority Mail International is $68.35 for 1 lb, $98.85 for 5 lb, $143.05 for 10 lb and $231.95 for 20 lb. Couriers price each shipment separately.

How much is DHL from the USA to Ghana?

DHL does not publish one fixed price. It depends on weight, box size, speed and your account. Get a quote on the DHL website with the box size and weight. Then compare it with the USPS prices above.

What taxes will the recipient pay in Ghana?

According to the US trade guide (August 2025), import duty is 0%, 5%, 10%, 20% or 35% depending on the goods. VAT is 15%, charged on the goods' value plus shipping plus duty. Other levies can add up to about 12% of that value. The recipient pays before the parcel is released.

Will Amazon deliver to Ghana?

Amazon.com ships some items to Ghana but not all. The checkout page tells you if an item can ship there and shows the import fees. If it can't, some people use a US forwarding address and a shipper.

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