Prohibited and Restricted Imports
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[ Prohibited Imports ] [ Restricted Imports ] [ Labelling Information ]

Prohibited Imports

The following goods are prohibited for importation into Ghana.

1. Banned drugs:
Phenylbutazone,
Zomiperac sodium,
Oxyphenbutazone,
Methaqualone,
Amidopyrine derivatives,
Secobarbitone,
Oxyquinollne derivatives,
Mercury-based soaps.
2. Animals and carcasses infected with disease and/or parts thereof (as Disease of Animals Act 1961 [Act 83])
3. Beads composed of inflammable celluloid or other similar substances.
4. Raw coffee, imported overland or by inland waterways.
5. Food declared by a Health Officer as unfit for human consumption.
6. Knuckle dusters and life preservers.
7. Literature (books, newspaper & printed matter) which are defamatory, scandalous or demoralising
8. Base or counterfeit coin & notes of any country; coins not being of the established standard in weight and fineness.
9.Obscene articles (prints, paintings, photographs, books, cards, lithographies or other engravings) or any other obscene article.
10.Knives such as flick knives and paper knives which in the opinion of the Inspector of Police are considered dangerous weapons.
11. Counterfeit products.
12. Toxic wastes.
13. Second hand / used: Handkerchiefs, mens', womens' and childrens' underpants, mattresses, and sanitary ware.
14. Meat with fat content by weight higher than the percentages listed in brackets for Beef (25%), Pork (42%), Mutton (35%).
15. Turkey if the oil glands have not been removed.
16. Condensed or evaporated milk with less than 8% milk fat by weight, or dried milk/milk powder below 26% milk fat by weight with the exception of skim milk imported in containers clearly marked to distinguish them from containers of full cream milk.
17. Pharmaceuticals

18. Beef originating from the United Kingdom (temporary prohibition)
19. Fish imports, except canned fish (temporary prohibition)

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Restricted Imports

The following goods require a special authorisation or a licence for importation into Ghana.

All meat/meat by-products must be accompanied by a certificate issued by the veterinary department of the country of origin and should indicate that:
1. The animal(s) from which the meat/meat by-products is derived was/were free from infectious and contagious diseases;
2. The meat/meat by-products has been inspected by the veterinary authority and has been passed as wholesome and fit for human consumption;
3. The animals were slaughtered in an approved slaughter house;
4. The meat/meat by-products must be free from radioactive contaminants;
5. In the case of turkey tails, the oil glands must not accompany the product.

Labelling Information

(See Ghana Standards Board General Labelling Rules, 1992, for complete details)

All food, drugs and other consumer goods imported into Ghana must be labelled with:

Name indicating the nature or kind of goods:

• Ingredients for food (active ingredients with amount of each for chugs)
• Code marks or number indicating production batches
• Net contents by net mass or net volume (number of doses for drugs)
• Country of origin
• Manufacture date and expiry or "best before" date, where applicable
• All necessary storage conditions or handling precautions
• Electrotechnical or chemical characteristics, where applicable
• Producer, manufacturer, importer, distributor or seller's name and address
• All instructions or directions for use, warnings, and precautions that may be necessary to make appropriate use of the goods.

The term "other consumer goods" refers to the following items:

• Gas cookers and appliances
• Refrigerators and food freezers
• Electric lamps
• Electric fans and regulators
• Radio receivers and cassette players
• Television sets
• Room air-conditioners
• Electrical fittings and accessories
• Office equipment (electrical only; i.e. computers, fax machines, typewriters etc.)
• Electric motors
• General household electrical appliances and accessories -
  i) immersion electric heaters,
  ii) electric pressing irons,
  iii) water heater,
  iv) electric kettles
• Cement for the building industry
• Electric cables
• Dry cell batteries
• Lead-acid starter batteries
• Paints
• Pesticides
• Body creams
• Hair products
• Soap
• Detergents
• Body powders
• Toothpaste
• Poultry feed, including pre-mixes

Labeling requirements do not apply to goods in SKD and/or CKD condition.

All labeling should be in English language, in print or embossment and legible. Stamped or hand-written marks and labels are not acceptable.

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