The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Division has warned travellers arriving in Ghana that carrying more than two mobile phones could result in the devices being treated as commercial imports and subjected to customs duty.
The warning was issued by the Commissioner of Customs, Aaron Kanor, during a briefing with journalists at the Kotoka International Airport on September 2, 2026.
According to the Commissioner, travellers are expected to limit the number of mobile phones they carry to those reasonably intended for personal use.
He particularly cautioned travellers against accepting phones from relatives, friends or acquaintances abroad and transporting several handsets on their behalf.
Mr Kanor explained that where a traveller arrives with multiple devices, particularly newer and high-value phones, Customs may consider the quantity to indicate commercial activity rather than ordinary personal baggage.
“Travellers should not bring more than two phones into the country; anything beyond that will be considered commercial importation at the Airport,” Mr Kanor said, according to reports from the briefing.
He gave an example of travellers returning with several phones collected from different people, saying such quantities could move the items beyond what Customs would regard as personal effects.
What travellers need to know
The warning does not necessarily mean Ghana has introduced a new standalone tax on every second or third phone.
Rather, the issue concerns the classification of multiple devices as commercial imports. Once goods are regarded as commercial, applicable customs duties and taxes can arise.
The GRA’s existing passenger guidance states that personal effects must be for the traveller’s own use and not for sale or intended for other people. It also directs passengers carrying commercial goods to use the Red Channel for declaration.
The GRA’s customs procedures further provide that duties and taxes on imported goods are determined through the customs declaration, classification and valuation process.
Mr Kanor also disclosed plans for greater automation of passenger profiling at Ghana’s airports as part of efforts to improve customs controls.
The development is likely to affect travellers who routinely return from overseas with several phones purchased or received on behalf of family members and friends.
Travellers are therefore being advised to declare items where required and avoid carrying multiple devices for other people without first understanding the applicable Customs requirements.
