How to Import Used Trucks from China to Ghana — 2026 Complete Guide

Quick answer: Quick answer: Importing used trucks from China to Ghana costs $12,000-$32,000 CIF Tema depending on type and year. Expect 30-45 days shipping via Tema Port, import duty around 20% plus levies on used vehicles, and factor in inspection before shipment. HOWO and Shacman dump trucks are the most popular choices for Ghanaian buyers.

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Written by Bean Wang — founder and export manager at Hebei Car, with 10+ years in the used truck export business.

If you’re looking to import used trucks from China to Ghana, you’re in the right place. I’ve been exporting trucks to Ghana for years, and I want to share what I’ve learned — the good, the bad, and what to watch out for.

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Why Ghana Needs Chinese Used Trucks

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Ghana is Africa’s largest gold producer. In 2025, small-scale miners actually exported more gold than the big companies for the first time — 103 tons versus 96.6 tons. That’s a lot of mining, and mining means trucks. Lots of them.

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Ghana is also rewriting its mining law for the first time in 20 years. They removed VAT on mineral exploration to attract new investment. New mines mean even more demand for heavy trucks.

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Here’s the thing about Ghana roads — they’re tough. Mining areas are almost all dirt roads. Dry season? Dust everywhere. Rainy season? Mud ponds. European trucks are built for smooth highways. Chinese trucks — HOWO, Shacman — are built for this. High chassis, strong leaf springs, good off-road performance. They just work better here.

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Another reason: Chinese trucks are cheap to maintain. You can find HOWO parts in Accra, Kumasi, anywhere. Local mechanics know how to fix them. A new HOWO 371 costs around $43,000. A used one after 5 years? $14,000 to $21,000. That’s less than half the price.

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Which Trucks Work Best in Ghana

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After years of shipping to Ghana, here’s what sells and works well:

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• Dump trucks (6×4, 8×4) — for mining and construction. The HOWO 6×4 carries 31–40 tons per trip. The 8×4 version handles even more.
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• Tractor trucks (4×2, 6×4) — for hauling containers from Tema port to Kumasi, Tamale, and the north.
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• Cargo trucks — box trucks and flatbeds for logistics around Accra.
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For the best value, I recommend 2019 to 2022 models. Old enough to be affordable, new enough to have years of life left.

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Our current used dump trucks in stock include HOWO, Shacman, and FAW models with real photos and mileage.

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How to Find a Supplier You Can Trust

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This is where most buyers make mistakes. Here’s what I tell every Ghana buyer:

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• Ask for a live video call. Not photos — a real-time video where you see the actual truck start, idle, and move. We do this for every customer. If a supplier refuses, walk away.
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• Check documents match the truck. VIN, registration, and year model. Some sellers swap papers between trucks.
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• Get shipping costs upfront. CIF (Cost + Insurance + Freight) is standard — know exactly what’s included.
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• Verify export paperwork. You need Bill of Lading, Commercial Invoice, Certificate of Origin, and Vehicle Title. Without these, your truck sits at Tema port.
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• Beware of prices that seem too good. If a HOWO 6×4 is offered at $8,000, something is wrong — either the truck has hidden issues or the paperwork won’t hold up.
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We offer video inspection for every truck before you pay anything. You see the engine start, check the tires, and hear it run. No surprises.

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Shipping from China to Ghana

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Shipping is simpler than most people think.

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• Main port: Tema (primary). Takoradi also available.
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• Methods: RORO (roll-on/roll-off) is best for 1–3 trucks. Container is safer for single units.
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• Transit time: 25–35 days from Tianjin to Tema.
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• Shipping cost: $3,500 to $7,500, depending on truck size and method.
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We handle all shipping arrangements and provide tracking so you know exactly when your truck arrives.

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Customs Clearance in Ghana

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Clearing customs at Tema port is straightforward if you have the right documents. Here’s what you need:

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• Bill of Lading
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• Commercial Invoice
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• Packing List
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• Certificate of Origin
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• Vehicle Title / Registration
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• Import Declaration Form (IDF)
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Import duties: Expect 45% to 55% of the CIF value for used trucks. Sounds high, but even after duty, a used truck is still much cheaper than buying new locally.

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You’ll need a registered clearing agent at Tema port. We can share contacts if you need one. Don’t try to clear it yourself — the ICUMS system (Ghana customs digital platform) requires an agent.

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Import Process for Ghana — Step by Step

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1. Select your truck type from our inventory and let us know your budget
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2. We send real photos and video walkarounds of available matching units
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3. Live video inspection via WhatsApp — you see the truck, hear the engine, check the chassis
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4. Agree on CIF Tema price — you pay a deposit (T/T wire transfer)
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5. We ship from Tianjin/Shanghai to Tema Port and send you all documents within 3 days of vessel departure
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6. 22–28 days transit to Tema — your clearing agent handles GRA customs clearance
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7. Balance payment after BL is issued or before delivery (negotiable)
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Cost Breakdown: New vs Used in Ghana

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Here’s a real example — a HOWO 371 6×4 dump truck:

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Item	New Truck	Used (2020 model)
Truck price (FOB)	$43,000	$14,000 – $21,000
Shipping to Tema	$5,000	$5,000
Import duty (~50%)	$24,000	$9,500 – $13,000
Total landed cost	$72,000	$28,500 – $39,000

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You save roughly $30,000 to $40,000 by going used. That’s real money.

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Used Truck Price Guide — CIF Tema (2026)

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All prices below are estimated CIF Tema basis (truck cost + ocean freight + insurance + export documentation). Actual pricing depends on unit year, mileage, and condition. Contact us for current inventory and exact pricing.

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Truck Type	Brand & Model	Year	CIF Tema Price
Dump Truck 6×4	HOWO 371	2019–2021	$16,500 – $24,000
Dump Truck 6×4	Shacman F3000	2019–2021	$18,000 – $25,500
Dump Truck 8×4	HOWO 380	2020–2022	$25,000 – $33,000
Tractor Head 6×4	HOWO 375	2018–2021	$14,500 – $20,500
Tractor Head 6×4	Shacman F3000	2019–2021	$16,000 – $23,000
Tractor Head 6×4	FAW J6P	2019–2021	$13,500 – $19,500
Cargo Truck 6×4	HOWO 371	2019–2021	$15,500 – $22,000
Cargo Truck 6.2m Box	HOWO T5G	2019–2021	$9,000 – $14,500
Cargo Truck 9.6m Flatbed	FAW J6L 6×2	2019–2021	$13,500 – $19,000
Pickup 4×4 LHD	Great Wall Wingle 7	2020–2022	$7,500 – $12,500
Pickup 4×4 LHD	Foton Tunland	2020–2022	$7,000 – $11,500

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Prices are indicative and subject to change based on market conditions. All prices are CIF Tema.

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Ghana Import Duties & Landing Cost Breakdown

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Understanding the total landed cost is critical for your business planning. Below is an estimated breakdown for importing a used HOWO 371 6×4 dump truck (CIF value ~$20,000) into Ghana through Tema Port:

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Item	Amount (USD)
CIF Tema (truck + freight + insurance)	$20,000
Import Duty (10-20% of CIF, varies by truck age)	$2,000 – $4,000
VAT (15% of CIF + duty)	$3,300 – $3,600
NHIL (National Health Insurance Levy, 2.5%)	$500 – $600
ECOWAS Levy (0.5%)	$100 – $120
Exam Fee + Port Handling	$400 – $800
Clearing Agent Fee	$400 – $700
Estimated Total Landed Cost	~$26,700 – $29,820

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Important notes for Ghanaian buyers: Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division assesses import duty based on CIF value and vehicle age. Import duty rates for used commercial vehicles typically range from 10% to 20%, with older trucks benefiting from higher depreciation. VAT is 15%, and additional levies include NHIL (2.5%), GETFOL (2.5% — Ghana Education Trust Fund), and ECOWAS Levy (0.5%). Ghana has a relatively favorable import duty structure for used trucks compared to some other West African countries. We recommend working with a licensed clearing agent at Tema Port who can handle the GRA assessment efficiently.

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Common Mistakes Ghana Buyers Make

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I’ve seen these mistakes again and again:

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• Incomplete documents. Missing one paper can mean weeks of port detention fees at Tema.
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• Wrong truck for Ghana roads. A highway truck will break down in the mining areas within months.
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• Paying without inspection. Never send full payment without seeing the actual truck.
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• Underestimating total tax. Customs duty + shipping + insurance adds up. Plan for it upfront.
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Ready to Import?

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If you’re thinking about importing trucks to Ghana, just reach out. I can show you our current stock, arrange a video call, and give you a CIF Tema price within 24 hours. No pressure, no hard sell.

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📧 Email: [email protected]
▶️ YouTube — truck walkarounds & inventory updates
🎵 TikTok — real videos of current stock
🌐 Ghana Market Page — pricing & details

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🚛 Popular Trucks for Ghana

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• HOWO 8×4 Dump Truck (2019) — most popular for Ghana mining, FOB from $14,000
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• FAW Jiefang 8×4 Dump Truck (2020) — 550HP, great for heavy loads
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• Shacman 8×4 Dump Truck (2021) — 430HP, excellent for Ashanti mining
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View all Ghana market info →

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More African Market Guides

Importing trucks to another market? Read our guides for Côte d’Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Benin, Nigeria.

About the Authornnnn

Wang Jianbin is the founder of HebeiCar (hebeicar.com), a China-based used truck exporter. Since 2014, he has helped 500+ fleet owners and dealers across 20+ African countries — Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, DRC, Ethiopia and more — source quality used HOWO, Shacman, FAW and FOTON trucks at factory-direct prices. Every truck is inspected in his own yard in Shijiazhuang, Hebei before shipping, and he writes about import procedures, shipping logistics, customs clearance and truck selection based on that real export experience.

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Watch real inventory walkaround videos on the YouTube channel, or contact Wang Jianbin directly for current inventory and CIF prices via WhatsApp.

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