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Ghana Trade Compliance

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Complete guide to Ghana import requirements, ECTN / SPN certificates, and customs procedures for 2025. ECTN / SPN certificate mandatory for all sea freight.

MEDIUM RISK📋 ECTN / SPN REQUIRED

Quick Reference

Country Code: GH
Risk Level: medium
Certificate: ECTN / SPN
Trade Agreements: AfCFTA, ECOWAS, WAEMU
Digital Platform: GCNET / GICUMS
Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN / SPN)

Mandatory Status

Yes

Primary Purpose

Cargo tracking; customs clearance

Responsible Authority

Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MOFEP)

Required Documents

Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Freight Invoice, Packing List, Export Declaration

Penalty for Non-Compliance

Substantial fines; cargo not cleared until fines are paid and certificate is presented

Special Requirements

Each Bill of Lading must have a unique ECTN/SPN number; must be in the Cargo Manifest

Required Trade Documents
ECTN/SPNMANDATORY

Electronic Cargo Tracking Note

Mandatory freight certificate for all sea shipments to Ghana, also known as Single Processing Number

Ghana Shippers' Authority
24-48 hours
Based on freight value
Recent Updates & Changes

ECTN/SPN certificate fees adjusted - 10% increase from March 2024

Ghana Integrated Customs Management System (GICUMS) digital platform launched

New trade facilitation measures under AfCFTA implementation

Key Requirements
1
Electronic Cargo Tracking Note (ECTN) or Single Processing Number (SPN) for all sea freight
2
Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) approval for regulated products
3
Import license through GCNET single window system
4
Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) registration for applicable products
5
Destination Inspection certificate for certain goods
Active Regulations
ECTN/SPN RequiredGSA StandardsImport LicenseGCNET RegistrationFDA Approval
Trade Facilitation
Single Window SystemAvailable
Customs ModernizationImplemented
Digital Platform:

GCNET / GICUMS

Trade Agreements:
AfCFTAECOWASWAEMU

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