Customs intercept three firearms, assault rifle, two pistols and 610 rounds of ammunition at Tema Port

Customs officials at the Golden Jubilee Terminal of the Tema Port have intercepted an assault rifle, two pistols and 610 rounds of ammunition concealed among personal effects imported from the United States.

The items were discovered during an intensified inspection of goods entering the country after two Customs officers subjected the consignment to further examination at about 5:15 p.m. on Friday, September 25, 2026.

The firearms, ammunition and related accessories had not been declared to Customs and were allegedly concealed in the consignment as personal effects.

The seizure has drawn attention to efforts to prevent restricted and prohibited items from being smuggled through Ghana’s ports. The Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) said it had intensified scanning and physical inspections of consignments to detect illegal imports.

Customs explains interception
Speaking to the media on Monday, September 28, the Deputy Commissioner in charge of Communications and Public Affairs at the GRA, Florence Asante, said the seizure resulted from enhanced examination procedures at the country’s entry and exit points.

She explained that the importer had not declared the firearms and ammunition among the contents of the consignment, with the items only discovered after Customs officers conducted a more detailed inspection.

Ms Asante said the seized items had been handed over to the Police for further action.

She stressed that importers were required to comply with laws governing restricted and prohibited goods and urged anyone seeking to import such items to obtain the necessary licences and permits.

She also advised importers to make complete and accurate declarations to Customs.

Ms Asante further cautioned people who accept consignments on behalf of others to establish the exact contents of such packages before bringing them into Ghana.

She urged them to ensure that any restricted items contained in consignments had the appropriate permits and were properly declared to Customs.

According to her, importers must exercise due diligence when accepting goods from third parties to avoid inadvertently becoming involved in the unlawful importation of restricted items.

“Make sure that you have a licence to import those items and make sure you declare them correctly so that you will not fall foul of the law,” she said.

She added that being unaware of what is contained in a consignment would not necessarily exempt an importer from liability for breaches of the law.

Ms Asante explained that Ghana’s customs regulations classify arms and ammunition as restricted goods, meaning importers must obtain the required permit from the Ministry of the Interior.

She further noted that the Arms and Ammunition Act, 1972 (NRCD 9), as amended, requires prior authorisation before firearms and ammunition can be imported into or exported from the country.