To send a parcel abroad from Ghana, use an international express carrier: DHL Express, FedEx through its Ghana licensee IAS, or UPS through Aramex Ghana. Pack and weigh the item, book online or at a branch, complete a customs declaration (commercial invoice for goods), pay by weight and destination, then track the parcel door to door. Express carriers reach most countries in a few working days.
Updated January 2026. Published by websitesgh.com.
Which carrier should I use to ship from Ghana?
For anything crossing a border, an international express carrier is the safe choice because of end-to-end tracking, customs handling and insurance. DHL Express is the most widely used and offers door-to-door delivery to and from Ghana in as little as two working days (Source: DHL Express, 2026). FedEx operates in Ghana through its licensee IAS Ghana Ltd, which provides express delivery and shipping to more than 220 countries (Source: IAS Ghana, iasghana.com, 2026). UPS reaches Ghana through Aramex Ghana (Source: Hasmia delivery directory, 2024). Compare a live quote from at least two of them, because the cheapest option shifts with weight bands and destination. For the full landscape, see our guide to courier and delivery services in Ghana.
How do I send a parcel abroad, step by step?
TRY THIS TODAY: work through these six steps before you leave the house.
- Pack it properly. Use a sturdy box, cushion the contents, and seal it well. Damaged packaging is the most common reason a claim is refused.
- Weigh and measure. Carriers charge on actual or volumetric weight, whichever is greater, so measure length, width and height as well as weight.
- Get a quote. Use the carrier website or app, or ask at a branch. Enter the destination country, weight and dimensions.
- Complete the customs paperwork. Documents ship on a waybill; goods need a commercial invoice describing the item, its value and country of origin.
- Book and pay. Drop the parcel at a service point or book a courier collection online. DHL accepts up to 25kg on drop-off and up to 70kg per piece on booked collection (Source: DHL Express, 2026).
- Track it. Keep the tracking number and follow the parcel to delivery.
What does it cost to ship a parcel abroad from Ghana?
There is no single price. International express rates depend on the destination country, the weight and dimensions, the service level (express versus economy), and any fuel or remote-area surcharges. A light document to the UK costs far less than a heavy box to the US. The only reliable figure is a live quote for your exact parcel, so price the same shipment with two carriers and compare. If you receive goods from the US or UK regularly, package-forwarding services commonly route Ghana deliveries through Aramex, DHL and FedEx and can consolidate items to cut cost (Source: MyUS, 2026).
What can I not ship, and what needs extra paperwork?
Every carrier and destination restricts certain items such as batteries, liquids, perishables and anything the destination country prohibits. High-value goods need a declared value for insurance. When you ship commercial goods rather than personal documents, the receiving country may charge import duty and taxes on arrival, paid by the recipient. Confirm the destination’s rules before you send, so your parcel is not held or returned.
How long does international delivery take?
Express services from Ghana typically deliver within a few working days to major destinations, with DHL quoting as little as two working days on some lanes (Source: DHL Express, 2026). Economy services are cheaper but slower. Delivery time also depends on customs clearance at the destination, which the carrier handles but which can add a day for goods shipments.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to send a parcel abroad from Ghana?
Compare an express carrier’s economy service against a standard express quote for your exact weight and destination. For low-value personal items, an economy service or a consolidated forwarding service is usually cheapest; for urgent or valuable goods, pay for tracked express.
Do I need to fill in customs forms?
Yes for goods. Documents move on a simple waybill, but any item with commercial value needs a commercial invoice stating the description, value and origin, which the carrier uses for export and import clearance.
How heavy a parcel can I send?
Limits vary by carrier and by whether you drop off or book a collection. DHL, for example, accepts up to 25kg on drop-off and up to 70kg per piece when you book a courier collection online, with heavier items arranged by phone (Source: DHL Express, 2026).
Can I track an international parcel from Ghana?
Yes. Every major carrier issues a tracking number at booking and updates it through their app or website until delivery. See our guide to tracking a parcel in Ghana.
Need a carrier’s office or contact? Browse our courier and delivery directory or the full courier services guide on websitesgh.com.
