Travellers who arrive in Ghana with more than two mobile phones may have their additional devices treated as commercial import

Travellers arriving in Ghana with more than two mobile phones could be required to pay customs duty.

The Ghana Revenue Authority’s Customs Division says carrying several phones could cause the devices to be treated as commercial imports rather than personal belongings.

Customs Commissioner Aaron Kanor gave the warning while speaking at the Kotoka International Airport.

He advised travellers against accepting several phones from friends, relatives and other people to bring into Ghana.

Mr Kanor explained:

“If you are a carrier of seven phones, all the seven phones, they all give you phones. When you carry all those seven phones and you arrive, it will amount to what? Commercial.”

According to him, a traveller can carry a phone for personal use and possibly another phone for a spouse.

He said:

“One for yourself and maybe one for your wife. If they are beyond that, then it amounts to commercial because all these phones are expensive.”

Customs is particularly concerned about people travelling with several expensive smartphones, including iPhones and Samsung devices.

Mr Kanor said the high value of these phones means bringing several of them into Ghana could be considered commercial importation.

GRA’s official guidance says personal effects must be for the traveller’s own use and should not be intended for other people or for sale. It also says electrical goods generally need to have been in the traveller’s genuine personal use for at least six months to qualify for the passenger baggage concession.

Travellers carrying goods considered commercial are expected to use the Red Channel and declare them to Customs.

Customs has therefore advised travellers to declare additional phones rather than attempting to bring them into Ghana as personal belongings.

The warning comes as Customs increases checks on electronic devices entering Ghana through the airport.