Updated 28 September 2026 · Travo.ng
Quick answer
You can ship goods from Nigeria to Ghana by road, air or sea. Road is the most common option for traders. The Lagos–Accra route is about 460 km (288 miles) and crosses Benin and Togo. Air is fastest, with Lagos–Accra flights taking about 2 hours. Sea freight to Tema suits containers and heavy cargo. Costs are quoted per shipment and depend on weight, volume, the type of goods and customs clearance. You will need an invoice, a packing list and a waybill, plus the regulatory permits your goods require on the Ghana side. Travo can help arrange road, air or sea shipment and quote for your route.
Goods move between Nigeria and Ghana every day: foodstuffs, fashion, cosmetics, spare parts, e-commerce orders and personal effects. The challenge is not finding a truck or a flight. It is getting the paperwork, border crossings and delivery right so your goods arrive intact and on time. This guide explains the options, the documents on both sides, realistic transit times, and what drives the price.
Modes of transport we offer
Road freight: Lagos to Accra and beyond
Road freight follows the coastal corridor from Lagos through Benin and Togo into Ghana. By car, the drive is about 288 miles, roughly 460 km, and takes about 7 hours of driving time. Buses on the route take about 10 hours or more. Freight trucks usually take longer because of loading, border formalities and customs checks at each crossing.
- Best for: traders’ consignments, bulky goods, household items and regular restocking
- Options: shared (consolidated) space on a truck or bus for smaller loads, or a dedicated van or truck for full loads
- Watch out for: items restricted in transit countries, and delays at the borders during peak periods
If you are travelling yourself, see our bus to Ghana from Lagos guide and Lagos to Ghana by road.
Air freight
Lagos (LOS) to Accra Kotoka (ACC) flights take about 1 hour 55 minutes. United Nigeria Airlines and Air Peace are among the carriers on the route. Air cargo is the fastest option for documents, samples, high-value items and urgent restocking. It is priced per kilogram of actual or volumetric weight, whichever is higher, so light but bulky items can cost more than you expect.
Sea freight
Sea freight from Lagos ports to Tema suits full containers (FCL), shared containers (LCL), vehicles and heavy machinery. It usually has the lowest cost per tonne for large volumes, but it takes longer and involves port charges and clearing at both ends. For bigger import and export jobs, see our international shipping service.
Estimated transit times
| Mode | Travel or flight time | Typical door-to-door planning time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Road | About 7 hours of driving for about 460 km, Lagos to Accra | About 3 days | Trade goods, bulky parcels |
| Air | About 1 hour 55 minutes, LOS to ACC | 3–7 business days | Urgent, light, high-value items |
| Sea | Depends on the vessel’s routing | 9–30 days | Containers, vehicles, machinery |
Sources: Rome2Rio, Lagos to Accra (checked 28 September 2026) for distance, drive and flight times. The planning times are Travo’s own estimates and include collection, clearance and delivery. They are not guaranteed and depend on customs, the borders and routing.
Documentation and customs support
On the Nigerian side (export)
The Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) lists the main export documents. Which ones you need depends on what you ship and whether it is commercial:
- NEPC exporter’s registration certificate, for commercial exporters
- Proforma invoice, commercial invoice and packing list
- Nigeria Export Proceeds (NXP) form, issued through a commercial bank
- Certificate of origin, issued through the National Association of Chambers of Commerce
- Quality documents where relevant: a phytosanitary certificate (NAQS) for agricultural goods, a health certificate (NAFDAC) for processed foods, a veterinary certificate for animal products, and a fumigation certificate for some commodities
- Transport document: a road transport bill, an air waybill or a bill of lading
On the Ghana side (import)
Ghana’s import process runs through its customs system, ICUMS. According to the US government’s Ghana trade guide, the importer or their agent usually needs:
- A Tax Clearance Certificate from the Ghana Revenue Authority, in the importer’s name
- An Import Declaration Form (IDF)
- A Bill of Entry and customs declaration, submitted electronically through ICUMS
- Regulatory permits where applicable: Ghana FDA for food, drugs and cosmetics, PPRSD for agricultural products, and Ghana Standards Authority registration for other regulated goods
ECOWAS trade rules
Both countries are ECOWAS members. Goods that originate in ECOWAS and are approved under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) can qualify for preferential treatment when they cross borders. The list of approved products and the origin rules are published on the ETLS portal (etls.ecowas.int). Ask your freight agent to check whether your goods qualify before you ship.
Travo can help coordinate the paperwork with licensed clearing agents. We do not act as a customs authority, so duties and taxes are set by the Nigerian and Ghanaian customs services.
Common cargo types
- Personal effects and gifts: clothing, household items, foodstuffs (subject to permits)
- Retail stock: fashion, fabrics, beauty products, phones and accessories
- E-commerce orders: consolidated parcels for online sellers. We also help with 1688 orders shipped to Ghana.
- Industrial goods: spare parts, equipment and building materials
- Vehicles: by road or roll-on/roll-off sea freight
Some items are restricted or banned in Nigeria, Ghana or the transit countries, such as certain foods, drugs, currency and weapons. Tell us exactly what you are sending so we can confirm what is allowed.
Why Travo stands out
- Road, air and sea options. Ask for quotes on the modes available for your shipment.
- Pickup in Nigeria. We can arrange collection from your shop, warehouse or home to the export point; confirm coverage for your area.
- Updates. Ask how your consignment will be tracked when you book.
- Secure payment. Use SecurePay escrow when you buy from or sell to someone you have not traded with before.
- Human support. Talk to us on WhatsApp at +234 916 335 2137.
Competitive pricing options
Cross-border freight is quoted per shipment. There is no fixed public tariff, so be cautious of anyone giving a price without asking what you are sending. What affects the price:
- Weight and volume. Carriers charge on actual weight or volumetric weight, whichever is higher.
- Mode. Air costs the most per kilogram. Sea usually costs the least per tonne for large volumes. Road sits in between and is flexible for mid-size loads.
- Type of goods. Regulated goods (food, cosmetics, drugs) need permits, which add cost and time.
- Customs duties and taxes. These are set by the authorities, and your agent should show them separately.
- Door-to-door or depot-to-depot. Collection and final delivery in Ghana add to the cost.
- Consolidation. Sharing truck or container space is cheaper than booking a whole vehicle for small loads.
For road cost comparisons, see transport costs from Nigeria to Ghana.
How to book with Travo
- Tell us what you are shipping: a description, weight, dimensions, value, and the pickup and delivery addresses.
- Get a quote for road, air or sea, with duties and extras shown separately.
- Prepare the documents on the checklist we send you.
- We collect, pack if needed, and dispatch.
- Track your shipment through clearance and delivery in Ghana.
Shipping goods to Ghana?
Request a Nigeria to Ghana quote for road, air or sea on Travo, or send us the details on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from Nigeria to Ghana take?
Plan for about 3 days by road, 3–7 business days by air door to door, and 9–30 days by sea. These are planning estimates, and clearance or border delays can extend them.
What is the cheapest way to send goods from Nigeria to Ghana?
For small and mid-size loads, shared road freight is usually the cheapest. For full containers or very heavy cargo, sea freight usually has the lowest cost per tonne.
Which countries does road cargo pass through from Lagos to Accra?
Nigeria, Benin, Togo and then Ghana, along the coastal corridor. Goods may be checked at each border.
What documents do I need to export goods from Nigeria to Ghana?
Usually a commercial invoice, a packing list, a transport document and, for commercial exports, NEPC registration, an NXP form and a certificate of origin. Regulated goods also need the right quality certificates. The Ghana importer needs clearance through ICUMS.
Do I pay duty on goods from Nigeria to Ghana?
It depends on the goods. Items approved under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme may qualify for preferential treatment. Other goods pay Ghana’s normal duties and taxes. Ask a clearing agent to confirm before you ship.
Can Travo deliver to cities outside Accra?
Yes. Tell us the delivery address in Ghana, for example Kumasi, Tema or Takoradi, and we will include onward delivery in the quote where it is available.
Related guides
- How much is Nigeria to Ghana by road
- Nigeria to Ivory Coast by road
- List of logistics companies in Nigeria
- Live traffic news for the Accra–Tema Motorway
Sources: NEPC, Export documents and procedures (nepc.gov.ng); US International Trade Administration, Ghana import requirements and trade agreements (updated 6 August 2025); ECOWAS ETLS portal (etls.ecowas.int); Rome2Rio, Lagos to Accra (checked 28 September 2026). Fares and prices change often — confirm before you travel or pay.
