Accra
International Removal Companies to Accra
Preparing for the Move
Depending on where you are coming from, moving goods to Ghana can become quite expensive. Evaluate movers and realize that it is important to prioritize essential items, keeping in mind that much can be bought locally on arrival.
It is also important to take note of restrictions on things you can bring into Ghana. The following items are prohibited:
- Drugs and narcotics
- Explosives
- Pornography
- Raw coffee
- Life preservers
- Scandalous literature
- Large amounts of cash
- Dangerous weapons
The following items may require additional documentation.
- New furniture
- Pets and animals
- Vehicles
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Firearms and weapons
- Household goods and personal effects
Understand Pricing
The price of moving depends on the how much is being moved, the value of the goods, and the distance to be moved. If possible, ship only the truly indispensable items and try to buy when you arrive to abate some of the cost.
Shipping Size
Basic shipping costs are calculated on the amount of volume (Cubic Feet) that your packed goods will take up in one of our shipping containers. Volume is calculated by multiplying the length x depth x height.
An example would be a full size refrigerator/freezer that is 3 feet (.91 meters) wide, 2 feet (.6 meters) deep, and 6 feet (1.8 meters) high would be 36 cubic feet (1.01940 m3).
20 foot (6 meters) container total cubic capacity = 1172 cubic feet (33.2 m3)
40 foot container (12 meters) container total cubic capacity = 2392 cubic feet (67.7 m3)
A standard 2 to 3 bedroom house or condo should fit into 1 x 20ft container. A larger 4 to 5 bedroom house would need 1 x 40ft container. One benefit of a larger shipment is that the greater the overall volume for shipment, the lower the rate per cubic foot, and vice versa.
Distance
Removal cost also depends on the point of origin and final destination. Certain regions are expensive despite a shorter distance. As an example, it costs roughly USD 5500 to ship a full 40 foot container from New York to Tema, Ghana.
Common Additional Costs
Note that the final price is almost always more expensive than even the best estimates. Be knowledgeable about basic costs and budget more than the cost of the estimate.
- Access at collection or delivery may be difficult so a smaller van has to be brought in or hired.
- Collection or delivery on higher floors, with or without a lift. This requires extra men and additional costs.
- Parking permits may be required at collection or delivery addresses (the customer usually has to arrange these – a local council will advise if they are necessary).
- The final destination might be several hundred miles from a port.
Shipping Options: Ground, Sea or Air
The three basic options are to go by ground, sea or by air, or a combination of the three. Most companies offer all options, so inquire about the price difference and decide which method is best for you.
Ground
Moving with only ground travel is uncommon unless moving a short distance. This is much slower then flying, but much less expensive. This method is often done in conjunction with sea or air shipping.
Sea
Ports: Takoradi, Tema
To move by sea takes about 6-8 weeks, but costs less than traveling by air. If moving by sea, your household goods will be packed into containers that are usually loaded at or near your residence. Once your home is packed into the containers, they are then shipped by rail or transport to the port where they are then loaded on to a steamship container. The container is then loaded on the boat as cargo.
Once your goods have arrived in the new country, the container is unloaded and must pass through customs. International movers will be able to help you with the custom forms and are responsible for clearing your goods.
Air
Airport: Accra International (KIA)
Moving household items by air is becoming increasingly popular, despite a much higher price tag. Heavy cardboard boxes are normally used to pack your goods, although some air freight companies will use containers. You may find that shipping items by air is less expensive than renting a furnished place or living in a hotel.
Airfreight is calculated on either the actual gross weight of the consignment or the volume weight, whichever is the greater. Weight is expressed in kilograms. To calculate the volume weight of a given item we multiply the length, breadth and height in centimeters and divide by 6000 to obtain the volume weight in kilos. For household goods the volume weight generally exceeds the gross weight.
Evaluating Shipping Options
Some basic factors in determining the best shipping method are:
- Volume - This is important for road and sea shipments
- Weight and Volume - Evaluate the weight of items for air shipments.
- Final Destination - If you are moving across the globe (e.g. from the USA to Australia), you might want to ship the majority of your personal belongings by sea container and a small portion of things you will need upon your arrival by air.
- Moving Schedule - How soon do you need to receive your personal belongings at your destination? Do you already have accommodation (temporary or permanent)? Will you need to store some items until you find permanent accommodation?
- Budget - Who is paying for your move? Your company or yourself? What is your allowance for the move?
Groupage
To save money, you can ship your items with other people's belongings. Known as "groupage", your personal belongings will be shipped with the personal belongings of one or more customers.
While this offers considerable financial savings, it can take much longer – especially in Ghana. Usually, the shipment is sent a central location warehouse with later shipments being made to a country specific destination.
In Ghana, groupage will not always be an option. Check with local companies to see what they provide, but be prepared to pay for direct shipping.
Finding a Reputable Company
You will likely find a smaller number of companies that provide moving services to and from Ghana. As such, you’ll want to give yourself ample time to research your options. These tips will help with the process:
- Get three estimates in writing as points of comparison
- Conduct background research on potential companies, to ensure credibility
- Consult with local networks to learn about which companies are most often used
- Give yourself plenty of time for the entire process.
Use the Recommended Service Partner tool below to compare prices and receive free quotes.
Update 8/05/2015
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