My Ghana Customs nightmare saga, birthday gift held ‘duty hostage’, and SOS to GRA (1)

The recent controversy over the number of non-dutiable mobile phones allowed arriving passengers at the airport, coupled with my own recent bewildering encounters with Ghana Customs Service (GCS) and Ghana Post (GP), make me wonder whether there is currently an unannounced ‘duty payment’ offensive in Ghana.

Or, is this the much-touted widening of the tax net?

Anyway, I have a challenge for GP!

Fortunately, regarding the phones issue, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) came out with a clarification:

“The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) clarified in September 2026 that there is no automatic rule or policy requiring travelers to pay customs duties simply for carrying more than two mobile phones into the country.

“This official clarification followed a public uproar sparked by statements from the Commissioner of the Customs Division, Aaron Kanor. During an airport inspection tour, he warned that travelers bringing more than two devices—especially high-value models like iPhones or Samsungs—would have the extras classified as commercial imports and subjected to standard duties.

“The announcement caused widespread panic and confusion among travelers and the Ghanaian diaspora, prompting the central revenue authority to step in and correct the narrative” (AI Overview).

And, from the GRA website:

“The Customs Division is a paramilitary organisation which belongs to the Operational Division of GRA.”

Background to my unbelievable GCS saga:

Earlier this year, when I received a birthday party invite from my cousin, ‘J’, slated for June 27, it immediately generated a major problem: what modest, but trendy ‘widow’s mite’ gift could I get him? Because to me one could not, or should not, attend a birthday party empty-handed. That idea had been drummed into me as a child, and I have been faithful to that teaching.

Then I remembered that last year I had bought as a novel, modest gift for some friends, a mobile phone pouch, also known as phone holster or phone wallet, which had been very appreciated. My daughter in the UK had done the research online, bought three of my choice and had them delivered by DHL without any hassle.

With that happy experience in mind, on May 3, 2026 I asked daughter (D) to help again. As requested, she bought two mobile phones holsters, priced at £13.99 each (about GHȼ436 for the two).

She took the items to the same DHL office on June 6, together with other small items: two boxes of address labels – priced at £3.99 each, smaller than half a sachet water, and two loose sheets of address labels. As required, she did the parcel there, using a DHL box, under their scrutiny. The package didn’t contain mobile phones.

On June 11, DHL Ghana, Accra International Airport office, sent me a WhatsApp message that my package had arrived. I was relieved! My gift would be ready for the June 27 celebration.

However, to my consternation, later, I received a call from DHL informing me that Ghana Customs now requires DUTY paid on every import! Therefore, I had to pay duty on the package!

I pointed out that the package contained only mobile phone holders, not phones; besides, I had not had to pay duty with the previous, similar package. But he was adamant; Customs was insisting, so could I come to the airport to explain to them what the package contains?!

Or, he added, DHL could “clear” it for me for a whopping fee of GHȼ300!

But why should I have to go and explain what the package contains when the DHL office in the UK had supervised the packing? Besides, why couldn’t Customs open it and check the contents?

I said there was no way I would spend money to go to the airport just to tell Customs what the package contained, when they had the right to open it and see the contents.

And as for the alternative, of paying DHL GHȼ300 to clear it, that was simply not acceptable! That had not been the arrangement!

The following are excerpts from the saga, the WhatsApp communication with my daughter:

June 11, 2026

D: The description of the items is 2 phone holsters and labels. Maybe they think it’s two sets of phones.

Me: Possibly. But I explained to the agent what the contents are. But didn’t DHL check the contents?

D: You put the stuff in the box in their presence and they seal the box.

June 12

D: I’ve spoken to DHL; they can’t see any outstanding Customs fee on their system. But it shows that a broker has been contacted. They are going to investigate and call back.

June 18

D: I’ve just spoken to them; they are not sure why it hasn’t been delivered. They have raised another case with Gh. DHL.

Me: Let’s wait and see the outcome.

June 19

D:I’ve spoken with DHL; package will only be delivered if duty is paid. Not much they can do.

I can request them to return it.

Me: Will there be a cost if returned?

D: There will be no charge for return.

Me: Okay. But didn’t they tell you initially that they were having the package released from Customs to DHL for delivery? Or I misunderstood?

D: Yes, that’s what I was told.

Me: Now same person with different stance?

D: Different person.

June 25

Me: Any update from DHL?

D: I’ve just managed to speak to them. Ghana Customs want us to write to them explaining why we want the items returned, and pay GHȼ1000. DHL has emailed them asking why I have to pay, and who to pay to.

I have explained that the items are not worth it. I will ask them to destroy it.

Me: So very tedious and annoying! They can destroy it!

July 8

D: I called them yesterday. They gave me the same reply, nothing new. I’ve opened an official complaint demanding the refund and the return of the package. I’ve explained to them that my contract is with the DHL and not Ghana Customs, and I have every right to demand the return of my consignment without having to explain myself to Ghana Customs.

July 16

July 22

From DHL:

“Firstly, I would like to apologise for the frustration this matter has caused.

“At present, the information provided by our colleagues in Ghana is that the shipment remains under the control of Ghana Customs and that any return request would require Customs approval, including cancellation of the customs valuation already raised.

“The fee previously advised (GHȼ1000) is a Customs-related charge and not a fee raised by DHL.

“As you have requested, I have contacted our colleagues in Ghana and requested:

• • A copy of the customs assessment.
  • An itemised breakdown of any charges and fees.
  • Confirmation of who any payment should be made to.
  • Clarification of the current customs status of the shipment.

“Once this information is received, I will provide it to you as soon as possible.

“Thank you for your continued patience while we obtain the information requested from Ghana.”

TO BE CONTINUED