The full cost of importing
When you import a car yourself, the total cost includes:
- Purchase price — what you pay at auction or dealer in the US/UK/UAE
- Shipping — typically $1,200–$2,500 depending on origin and port
- Marine insurance — usually 1–2% of vehicle value
- Import duty + taxes — CIF × all applicable rates (often 30–40% of CIF)
- Clearing agent fee — GHS 1,000–3,000 depending on complexity
- Port storage — free for ~7 days, then daily charges apply
The full cost of buying local
Buying from a dealership in Accra or Kumasi typically includes:
- Sticker price — includes dealer margin (often 20–50% markup over import cost)
- Registration — DVLA fees for registration and plates
- Insurance — mandatory third-party or comprehensive
- No shipping, no duty, no clearing agent fees — all baked into the sticker price
Side-by-side: 2019 Toyota Corolla 1.8L
| Cost Item | Self-Import | Local Dealer |
|---|---|---|
| Purchase / sticker price | $12,000 (US auction) | GHS 200,000–260,000 |
| Shipping + insurance | ~$1,700 | Included |
| Import duty + taxes | ~GHS 50,000 | Included |
| Clearing agent | ~GHS 2,000 | — |
| Estimated total (GHS) | ~GHS 230,000 | ~GHS 230,000–260,000 |
* Exchange rate assumed at ~GHS 14.8/USD. Actual costs vary.
When importing wins
- You can find a good deal at US auctions (Copart, IAAI, Manheim)
- The car is newer (less depreciation, no overage penalty)
- You know a reliable clearing agent who won't charge extras
- You ship in a container with other goods (shared shipping cost)
- You want a specific trim or spec not available locally
When buying local wins
- You want the car immediately — no 4–8 week shipping wait
- You prefer to inspect and test-drive before buying
- The dealer offers financing or warranty
- You're buying a newer car where the local markup is minimal
- Exchange rate volatility makes import costs unpredictable
💡 Bottom line
For popular sedans (Corolla, Elantra, Accent), self-importing can save GHS 10,000–30,000 if you find a good auction deal and clear efficiently. But the savings shrink on newer or luxury vehicles where dealer margins are thinner. Always calculate before deciding.
Run the numbers
Use the duty calculator to see exactly what your import will cost, then compare with local dealer prices: