Tema port shipping covers most of Ghana's sea trade: almost all containers, plus general cargo, vehicles, dry bulk and transit cargo for inland neighbours. The port is run by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), and most containers are handled at Terminal 3, operated by Meridian Port Services (MPS). This guide covers the terminals, the free storage and DG rules, customs at Tema and how we ship your cargo there from Dubai. We ship both ways: from Dubai to Tema, and from Tema to Dubai with clearance on arrival in the UAE.
Tema port guide: key facts at a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Port authority | Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) |
| Main container terminal | Terminal 3, run by Meridian Port Services (MPS) |
| MPS shareholders | GPHA, Africa Global Logistics (AGL) and APM Terminals |
| UN/LOCODE | GHTEM |
| Location | Tema, on the Gulf of Guinea, 14 nautical miles east-northeast of Accra |
| Port commissioned | 1962 |
| Containers handled in 2024 | 1,668,688 TEU, more than 95% of Ghana's container traffic |
| MPS milestone in 2025 | Passed 2,000,000 TEU on 18 November 2025 |
| Terminal 3 quay and berths | 1,400 m, 4 berths, 16 m draught |
| Terminal 3 capacity | Rising from 2.5 to 3.0 million TEU a year with new cranes delivered in 2026 |
| Reefer plugs | 1,420 at Terminal 3; 1,581 across the port's reefer points (GPHA) |
| Dry bulk | Four-berth bulk jetty, 8.6 m draft |
| Shipping lines | Over 50 lines and agencies with direct and indirect services |
| Customs | Ghana Revenue Authority, Customs Division, on ICUMS |
| Free storage at Terminal 3 | 7 days for import containers, 21 days for transit |
| Tema to Dubai (import) | Ghana export declaration in ICUMS by the shipper or its agent; Dubai Customs declaration, 5% duty on CIF for most goods, 5% import VAT |
| Security level | ISPS compliant since July 2004, MARSEC level 1 |
Where is Tema port and who runs it?
Tema is in southeastern Ghana, on the Gulf of Guinea, east of the capital Accra. The port was commissioned in 1962. GPHA owns and manages the port, runs the multipurpose berths, the Golden Jubilee Terminal and the port services, and sets most port tariffs.
The container business is mostly with MPS. MPS was incorporated in December 2002 as a joint venture between GPHA and Meridian Port Holdings, which is itself owned by AGL and APM Terminals. GPHA awarded the concession in 2004 and MPS started operations in April 2007. Its new Terminal 3 was commissioned by the end of 2019.
A practical rule: if your bill of lading shows Tema, ask the carrier which terminal the vessel uses. Most container services go to Terminal 3. Breakbulk, Ro-Ro and bulk ships use the GPHA multipurpose berths or the bulk jetty.
Which terminals does Tema port have?
Tema has one large container terminal, older multipurpose berths, a dry bulk jetty and several inland clearance depots (ICDs) where containers and vehicles are delivered.
MPS Terminal 3
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Wharf length | 1,400 m |
| Berths | 4 |
| Draught | 16 m |
| Container yard | 127 ha |
| Ship-to-shore cranes (2024) | 10 Super Post Panamax and 2 Africamax, rising to 15 in 2026 |
| Mobile harbour cranes | 3 |
| Yard cranes | 35 RTGs, rising to 51 electric RTGs in 2026 |
| Reefer plugs | 1,420 |
| Container storage | 81,743 TEU |
| Annual capacity | 2.5 million TEU, rising to 3.0 million TEU |
MPS reported that its Phase 2 equipment shipped from China in early 2026: 16 electric RTGs due on 16 April 2026 and 3 ship-to-shore cranes due on 20 April 2026, plus 41 electric terminal trucks due by the end of June 2026. In late 2025 MPS said it expected to finish the year at about 2.3 million TEU.
Trucks use the MPS Truck Appointment System to drop off exports and pick up imports. Book the slot only when customs release and the delivery order are in hand.
Multipurpose berths, bulk jetty and ICDs
| Facility | Operator | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Multipurpose berths | GPHA | General cargo, breakbulk, Ro-Ro and project cargo |
| Bulk jetty (opened 2016) | GPHA | Four vessels at once, 8.6 m draft; wheat, clinker, coal, ammonium nitrate |
| Golden Jubilee Terminal | GPHA | Inland clearance depot on the western end of the port, 97,412 m2, receipt, storage and delivery of containers, open 24/7 |
| Tema Bonded Terminal, Atlas, Amaris Export Terminal | Private | Inland clearance depots for containers |
| Safebond Car Terminal | Private | Receipt and delivery of vehicles and equipment |
| Port storage | GPHA | 77,200 m2 of paved storage and six sheds holding 53,000 tonnes |
| Tema Shipyard | Shipyard | Two graving docks of 100,000 dwt each |
The Golden Jubilee Terminal handled 946,312 TEU of receipts and deliveries from 2019 to 2022. It delivers between 7:30am and 7:30pm on weekdays.
Vessel size limits by cargo type
| Cargo type | Maximum LOA | Maximum draft |
|---|---|---|
| Containers (Terminal 3) | Not stated | 16.0 m |
| Breakbulk | 200 m | 10.0 m |
| Ro-Ro | 240 m | 8.2 m |
| Dry bulk | 200 m | 8.2 m |
| Tankers and gas | 244 m | 9.6 m |
These limits matter for breakbulk and project cargo, because a heavy-lift vessel with a deep draft may need a different berth or port.
What cargo can you ship through Tema?
| Cargo type | Where it is handled | What to plan |
|---|---|---|
| General goods in containers | MPS Terminal 3, delivery from the terminal or an ICD | Free time, delivery order, truck appointment |
| Chilled and frozen food | Reefer plugs at Terminal 3 and GPHA reefer points | FDA permit, set temperature, fast clearance |
| Vehicles | Ro-Ro berths and Safebond Car Terminal, or in containers | 2026 vehicle rules, left-hand drive only |
| Steel, machinery, equipment | Multipurpose berths, or flat racks at Terminal 3 | Draft and LOA limits, lifting plan, trailer |
| Grain, clinker, coal, fertiliser | Bulk jetty | Discharge plan, receiving silo or store |
| Dangerous goods | Terminal 3 under DG storage rules | Short or nil free storage, permits before arrival |
| Transit cargo | Terminal 3 and ICDs | Transit declaration, longer free time, deposit |
Container shipping at Tema: FCL, LCL and reefer
For FCL, your box goes to Terminal 3 and is delivered to the consignee after customs release. For LCL, the box is unpacked at a container freight station first, so your cargo is released only after the whole consolidation clears its first steps. Make sure carton marks match the packing list. Our guide to FCL vs LCL costs shows when a full box is cheaper.
Check the carrier's equipment rules for Ghana before you load. Maersk sets a maximum payload of 30 metric tons per container, does not accept aluminium containers, and only takes 45ft boxes with twistlocks at the 40ft positions. Reefer cargo needs the set temperature and ventilation on the booking, and food needs an FDA import permit in place before the vessel arrives.
Free storage and free time at Tema
Two clocks run at Tema: the terminal's storage and the shipping line's demurrage and detention.
| Container status | MPS free storage days | Maersk line free time (dry) |
|---|---|---|
| Import for Ghana | 7 | 7 (5 for reefers) |
| Export | 7 | Per booking |
| Transit to coastal West African countries | 21 | 21 |
| Transit to Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger | 21 | 28 |
| Transhipment, full | 28 | Not applicable |
Maersk notes that its charges exclude port storage, which the port bills separately. Other carriers set their own free time, so read it on your quote. Our article on demurrage and detention explains how the charges build up after free time.
Breakbulk, project and bulk cargo at Tema
Breakbulk at Tema works across GPHA's multipurpose berths, with a maximum of 200 m LOA and 10.0 m draft for breakbulk vessels. Cargo that fits a container but is too tall or wide can go on flat racks or open tops through Terminal 3, where the 16 m draught takes large container ships. Our article on flat rack, open top and breakbulk options explains the choice.
When you ship project cargo to Tema with us, we plan it in this order:
- Collect drawings, dimensions, weights and centre of gravity for each piece.
- Choose the vessel type and check its LOA and draft against the berth limits.
- Agree lifting and lashing with the carrier, and confirm discharge gear with the destination agent.
- Check the road route from Tema, including permits, with the consignee's agent.
- Get customs documents ready so the cargo leaves the quay without storage charges.
Dry bulk such as wheat, clinker and coal goes over the four-berth bulk jetty. It has an 8.6 m draft, so bulk vessel size has to match. See our break bulk and project cargo service for what we cover from the UAE.
Dangerous goods at Tema: free days and permits
MPS charges DG containers separately and gives them much shorter free storage. Under the MPS tariff effective 1 August 2023, DG containers fall into two categories.
| DG category | Classes listed by MPS | Free days, import and export | Free days, transit and transhipment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Category I | Explosives; flammable and poisonous gases; oxidizing substances and organic peroxides; radioactive substances | None | None |
| Category II | Flammable liquids; flammable gases; toxic and infectious substances; corrosives; miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles | 5 | 10 |
For Category I, storage is charged from the first day, so the declaration must be filed and paid before the vessel berths. On the regulatory side, explosives need a licence from the Ministry of the Interior, and the Ghana Standards Authority treats chemicals, petroleum products, pyrotechnics, batteries and LPG cylinders as high-risk goods that need conformity documents.
What we need for any DG booking to Tema:
- UN number, proper shipping name, class and packing group.
- A Safety Data Sheet for each product.
- A signed Dangerous Goods Declaration.
- UN-approved packaging, labels and container placards under the IMDG Code.
- The consignee's Ghana permits, ready before sailing.
Our dangerous goods shipping team checks this and gets carrier acceptance first. Our guide to dangerous goods classes helps you find the right class.
Customs clearance at Tema port
The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) clears all imports at Tema through ICUMS, its single window for customs documents and payments. Ghana Customs states that clearance at the ports requires a licensed clearing agent by law, so the consignee appoints one.
Documents for clearance at Tema
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Original bill of lading or waybill | Consignee name must match the TIN holder |
| Attested invoice | Full description and HS code per line |
| Packing list | Matches marks and piece count |
| Import Declaration Form (IDF) | From the Ministry of Trade |
| TIN or Ghana Card PIN | Of the importer |
| Regulatory permits | FDA for food, drugs and cosmetics; Ghana Standards Authority for high-risk goods; others for restricted items |
The clearance process step by step
- The clearing agent files the declaration in ICUMS with the documents, before or after the vessel arrives.
- ICUMS runs classification, valuation and approval and issues a tax bill.
- Duties and taxes are paid at a participating bank.
- ICUMS assigns a channel: red for physical examination, yellow for a scan, green for release at the gate with an automatic exit scan.
- The importer pays port fees and the shipping line releases the delivery order.
- The truck collects the cargo, and documents are checked at the exit gate.
Ghana Customs has warned that general goods not cleared within 21 days, and vehicles within 60 days, can be forfeited to the state under Section 53 of the Customs Act, 2015 (Act 891).
Duty and taxes at Tema
Import duty follows the ECOWAS Common External Tariff, at 0%, 5%, 10%, 20% or 35% of CIF value. From 1 January 2026, the Value Added Tax Act, 2025 (Act 1151) applies VAT at 15% plus NHIL and GETFund levies of 2.5% each on the same base, a 20% combined rate, and the 1% COVID-19 levy is gone. Smaller levies, such as the ECOWAS and African Union levies, and an ICUMS charge of 0.75% of FOB value are added on the customs bill.
Vehicles through Tema: the 2026 rules
Vehicles arrive on Ro-Ro ships or in containers, and the Safebond Car Terminal handles receipt and delivery of unpacked vehicles. Check these rules before you ship a car to Tema:
- Right-hand drive vehicles are not allowed unless the Minister of Trade grants a dispensation.
- Salvaged (accident-damaged) vehicles cannot be imported.
- From 1 October 2026, the Ghana Standards Authority bans used vehicles more than 15 years old, and vehicles damaged by flood or fire or with a bent or twisted chassis.
- Vehicles shipped before 1 October 2026 are exempt from the new rules.
- Pre-shipment inspection for used vehicles was suspended on 5 October 2026, but the age ban still applies at Tema.
- Vehicles have 60 days to clear before forfeiture.
Transit cargo through Tema to inland countries
Tema is a gateway for landlocked neighbours. Maersk gives 28 free days on dry boxes going to inland countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, and MPS gives 21 free storage days for transit containers. Maersk asks for a higher refundable container deposit on boxes in transit than on boxes delivered in Ghana. Agree the transit agent, the transit declaration and the onward route before the cargo sails.
How to ship from Dubai to Tema port, step by step
We book space, prepare documents, arrange trucking and export clearance in the UAE, and work with your consignee's clearing agent at Tema.
- Send us the cargo details. Commodity, HS code, weight, dimensions, delivery city in Ghana and the Incoterm.
- Check Ghana's rules. We flag FDA, Ghana Standards Authority and restricted-goods permits, and DG categories with short free storage.
- Book the service. We confirm the routing to Tema, any transshipment port, the terminal and the free time.
- Load at Jebel Ali. We collect the empty, stuff and seal it, and deliver it before the cut-off. See our Jebel Ali port shipping guide for the export side.
- Send documents early. Invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and bill of lading go to the consignee so the agent can file in ICUMS before arrival.
- Clearance and delivery. The agent pays duties, takes the delivery order, books the truck slot and delivers.
- Empty return. The consignee returns the empty within free time to recover the deposit.
[AMIR-FACT: Our real experience at Tema: typical days from berthing to release on our shipments, or one real case, and which carrier or service we normally use from Jebel Ali]
How to ship from Tema to Dubai
We also handle the other direction: shipping from Tema to Dubai, with arrival at Jebel Ali, Khalifa Port or Sharjah port. We book the space with the carrier and run the UAE side. The Ghana export papers stay with the shipper or its Ghana agent.
The Ghana export side
- Declaration. Ghana Customs requires every export to be covered by a declaration, made electronically in ICUMS with the supporting certificates and permits attached. The shipper or its licensed clearing agent files it.
- Exporter registration. The exporter must be registered with the Ghana Export Promotion Council and hold its number.
- Traditional exports. For goods such as cocoa, logs, fresh fish and mineral ore, the exporter first gets a Bank of Ghana Form A2 from its bank.
- Permits by cargo. Cocoa needs a COCOBOD export permit, and timber a permit from the Timber Industry Development Division of the Forestry Commission.
- Examination. After Customs validates the declaration, the goods are presented at the export seat at the port for inspection and released if all is in order.
The UAE import side
On arrival, the declaration goes to Dubai Customs with the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin and any permit for restricted goods. The importer needs a Dubai Customs business code, or a licensed clearing agent with the owner's authorisation files for it. Customs duty in Dubai is 5% of the CIF value for most goods, with 50% on alcohol and 100% on cigarettes. Import VAT is 5%, charged on the customs value including freight and insurance. A VAT-registered importer that has linked its customs registration number with the Federal Tax Authority accounts for it on its VAT return instead of paying at the border.
- Send us the shipper's details in Ghana, the cargo, the HS code and the UAE delivery address.
- We book space from Tema and send the booking and cut-off to the shipper.
- The shipper or its trucker collects the empty, stuffs it and delivers it to the terminal on a truck slot.
- The shipper or its Ghana agent files the export declaration in ICUMS with the permits.
- We check the draft bill of lading against the invoice and the certificate of origin.
- We file the UAE declaration before the vessel arrives.
- We arrange payment of the duty and VAT and collect the delivery order.
- We truck the cargo to your site in the UAE.
- We return the empty container inside the carrier's free time.
[AMIR-FACT: the carriers we actually use from Tema to Jebel Ali/Khalifa/Sharjah and our real transit days in this direction]
Checklist before you ship to Tema
- HS code and duty band confirmed.
- Importer's TIN or Ghana Card PIN matches the consignee on the bill of lading.
- Import Declaration Form ready.
- FDA, Ghana Standards Authority or other permits approved before sailing.
- Container payload within the carrier's Ghana limit.
- For DG: category checked against MPS free days, and the declaration ready to file before berthing.
- For vehicles: left-hand drive, within the age limit, no salvage damage.
- For breakbulk: vessel LOA and draft checked against the berth.
- Clearing agent appointed and documents sent before arrival.
- Free time and storage days noted, and delivery planned inside them.
Common mistakes at Tema port
- Filing after the vessel berths. Pre-arrival filing in ICUMS is allowed and saves storage days.
- Forgetting that DG has its own clock. Category I containers get no free storage at Terminal 3.
- Mixing up the two GSAs. The Ghana Standards Authority handles product conformity; the Ghana Shippers' Authority handles shipper matters such as the postponed Smart Port Note.
- Booking a truck before release. Without customs release and the delivery order the truck cannot collect.
- Overweight or aluminium boxes. Carriers can refuse them on this trade.
- Letting cargo sit. After 21 days general cargo risks forfeiture.
Frequently asked questions
Who operates Tema port?
The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority manages the port. Terminal 3, the main container terminal, is run by Meridian Port Services, a joint venture of GPHA, Africa Global Logistics and APM Terminals.
What is the port code for Tema?
The UN/LOCODE for Tema is GHTEM. It appears on bookings, bills of lading and tracking systems.
How deep is Tema port?
Terminal 3 has a 16 m draught across its four berths. The multipurpose and bulk berths are shallower, with drafts of about 8 to 10 m depending on the berth.
How many free days do containers get at Tema?
Under the MPS tariff, import containers get 7 free storage days and transit containers 21. Line free time is separate; Maersk gives 7 days for dry boxes delivered in Ghana.
Can I ship dangerous goods to Tema?
Yes. Terminal 3 handles DG containers, but Category I classes such as explosives and flammable gases get no free storage, and Category II gets 5 days on import, so clear them quickly.
How long does shipping from Dubai to Tema take?
It depends on the carrier's routing and any transshipment stop. Ask for the routing and estimated arrival of the actual service at booking.
Do I need a clearing agent at Tema?
Yes. Ghana Customs says clearance at the ports requires a licensed clearing agent by law. The agent files the declaration in ICUMS.
Can Tema port handle breakbulk and project cargo?
Yes. GPHA's multipurpose berths take breakbulk vessels up to 200 m LOA and 10.0 m draft, and flat racks and open tops can go through Terminal 3.
Can you handle shipping from Tema to Dubai?
Yes. We book the space with the carrier, the shipper or its Ghana agent files the export declaration in ICUMS, and we clear the cargo through Dubai Customs and deliver it in the UAE. Most goods pay 5% duty on the CIF value plus 5% import VAT.
Is Tema port the same as the port of Accra?
No. Tema is its own city and port, 14 nautical miles east-northeast of Accra, and it is where sea cargo for Accra is usually discharged. Air cargo for Accra lands at Kotoka International Airport instead.
Get a quote for Tema port shipping
Send us your cargo details and we will come back with a routing to Tema and a price. Use our freight rate inquiry form, or contact our team to talk through a breakbulk, vehicle or DG shipment first. You can also read more about our Dubai freight forwarding team.
Sources
- Meridian Port Services: Terminal 3 capacity (2024 figures)
- Meridian Port Services: New equipment and expansion to 3 million TEU (March 2026)
- Meridian Port Services: MPS surpasses 2 million TEU (November 2025)
- Meridian Port Services: Company overview (shareholders, incorporation)
- Meridian Port Services: Terminal and gate procedures (Truck Appointment System)
- Meridian Port Services: Tariff effective 1 August 2023 (free storage, DG free days)
- GPHA: Port highlights (shipping lines, bulk jetty, security)
- GPHA: Services (storage, ICDs, shipyard, ISPS)
- GPHA: Golden Jubilee Terminal and reefer points
- GPHA: Customs advises importers to clear goods on time
- Citi Newsroom: GPHA container traffic figures for 2024
- Graphic Online: Tema port bulk cargo jetty (2016)
- Find a Port: Port of Tema (location, vessel size limits)
- Wikipedia: Tema Harbour (commissioning year, UN/LOCODE)
- Ghana Revenue Authority: Export procedures (ICUMS, Form A2, COCOBOD and timber permits)
- Dubai Customs: Submit customs declaration (documents)
- Dubai Customs: FAQ (5% of CIF, business code, clearing agents)
- UAE Government portal: Customs duty (5% of CIF, alcohol 50%, cigarettes 100%)
- Federal Tax Authority: VAT guide (import VAT at 5%, deferral for registered importers)
- Ghana Revenue Authority: Import procedures
- Ghana Revenue Authority: Customs FAQs (clearing agents)
- Ghana Revenue Authority: Vehicle importation
- Ghana Revenue Authority: Import prohibitions and restrictions
- trade.gov: Ghana import tariffs
- trade.gov: Ghana customs regulations (ICUMS charge)
- trade.gov: Ghana VAT changes, February 2026
- Ghana Standards Authority: Import inspection of high-risk goods
- Citi Newsroom: GSA used vehicle rules from 1 October 2026
- Citi Newsroom: GSA suspends pre-shipment inspection (5 October 2026)
- EY: Ghana Customs (Amendment) Act 2020
- Maersk: Ghana import information
- Kuehne+Nagel: Ghana Shippers' Authority postpones Smart Port Note
Reviewed: 10 November 2026