By Gloria Sewor

Let’s be honest—importing goods into Ghana is not always the smoothest ride.

You prepare everything. Documents are in order. The vessel arrives. And somehow… your container is still sitting in port three days later. Or stuck at the gate waiting for clearance. Or worse, caught in a queue that no one seems able to explain.

At PORTLINK GHANA LIMITED, we’ve helped clients through every variation of this scenario. And over time, we’ve learned that there are small, practical hacks—some obvious, some not—that can save importers hours, even days. Sometimes, they also save you from entirely avoidable headaches.

So, here’s a list. Not official advice, necessarily. More like… things we’ve picked up along the way.

1. Start the Clearance Process Before Arrival

Yes, you can wait until the cargo arrives. But if you do, you’ll likely lose time.

We always recommend pre-clearance—submitting documentation to customs before the ship docks. It’s possible now with Ghana’s Integrated Customs Management System (ICUMS), though many importers still don’t take full advantage of it.

In one recent case, we shaved 48 hours off a client’s clearance time just by having their Form M and manifest submitted while the cargo was still at sea.

Simple. But powerful.

2. Build a Relationship with Your Freight Forwarder

This one sounds soft, but it matters.

A good freight forwarder isn’t just a middleman. They’re your frontline partner. The one watching shipment delays, chasing documents, talking to port officials when things stall.

We’ve seen importers slow themselves down by switching agents every shipment, or by keeping relationships transactional. But when your forwarder knows your business, they can anticipate things—like which HS codes get red-flagged, or which warehouse gate tends to be slower at certain times.

One of our long-term clients—a small machinery importer—once told us, “It’s not just what you do. It’s that I don’t have to keep explaining myself every month.”

3. Group Shipments When You Can

Consolidation isn’t always possible. But when it is, it can reduce customs paperwork, lower costs, and minimize processing time.

Instead of importing two containers a week apart, why not combine them into one larger shipment, if your supplier allows it? Fewer documents. One clearance cycle. Less waiting.

Of course, it depends on your product shelf life, cash flow, and storage. But it’s worth discussing.

4. Know Your HS Codes—and Double-Check Them

We’ve seen clearances delayed entirely because of incorrect Harmonized System (HS) codes. Or sometimes, mismatched descriptions that flag inspections.

Learning your main codes and checking how they’ve been used in the past can save time. If you’re unsure, ask your forwarder—or even PORTLINK GHANA LIMITED—to review them before submission.

It’s one of those details that seems small until it causes a full hold-up.

5. Avoid Peak Port Times if You Can

Easier said than done, I know. But certain times of year—like the run-up to December—create congestion at Tema Port.

If you have flexibility with your suppliers, consider scheduling shipments just before or after those windows. Your goods won’t sit waiting in a container stack, and trucking delays will be less intense.

We’ve seen clients build entire planning calendars around this principle, and their consistency shows.

6. Keep a Go-Bag of Essential Docs

Sounds a bit dramatic, but hear me out.

Too often, we see delays because the importer couldn’t produce one specific document quickly—a missing invoice copy, or an outdated insurance cert.

Keep a digital folder, synced to your phone or email, with:

Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

Business registration docs

Valid import license (if applicable)

Past invoices and certificates

Customs codes you frequently use

You’d be surprised how often being the fastest to respond is the thing that moves your cargo first.

7. Talk to Other Importers

This one’s rarely mentioned.

Yes, some importers guard their processes. But others are open. Ask how they manage timelines. What mistakes they’ve made. Who they trust. What tools they use.

There’s wisdom in the community. Especially for SMEs. And sometimes, you learn hacks that never appear in manuals.

8. Lean on Tech—Even If It Feels Uncomfortable

Whether it’s using tracking apps, document automation, or customs e-platforms like ICUMS, embracing the tools now available can dramatically shorten delays.

At PORTLINK GHANA LIMITED, we’ve digitized our internal workflow so that clients get real-time updates. It removes guesswork and, importantly, it keeps everyone accountable.

Even if you prefer the paper route, try starting with just one small tool—a document tracking system, or cargo alerts via SMS. Small changes add up.

Looking Ahead

This year, our team at PORTLINK GHANA LIMITED, based in Ghana, is proud to be nominated for the 2025 Go Global Awards, hosted by the International Trade Council in London this November.

The awards are more than recognition. They’re a global forum for businesses like ours—logistics providers, freight handlers, trade enablers—to connect, share knowledge, and build smarter systems for tomorrow. We're honored to be part of that dialogue.

Final Thought

Importing will always come with friction. Some delays are unavoidable. But many aren’t.

With a few practical tweaks—better timing, stronger partnerships, clearer documentation—you can take hours (even days) off your shipping process.