The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has cautioned travellers returning to the country against carrying several mobile phones for other people, warning that such items could be treated as commercial imports and subjected to customs duties.
Customs Commissioner of the GRA, Aaron Kanor, said passengers should be mindful of the number of phones they bring into Ghana, particularly when the devices belong to different individuals.
Speaking to the media at the Accra International Airport, Kanor explained that while a traveller may bring in up to two phones without attracting duty under the applicable personal concession, carrying additional devices on behalf of others could change the classification of the goods.
He used an example of a traveller who agrees to transport phones for several people. According to him, if different individuals give the traveller phones to bring into Ghana, the number of devices could indicate that they are being imported for commercial purposes.
Kanor therefore advised passengers to avoid accepting large quantities of phones from friends, relatives or acquaintances when travelling back to Ghana.
He said the measure is particularly important because mobile phones, including popular brands such as Apple’s iPhone and Samsung, are high-value items and can generate significant revenue through import duties.
The warning follows a case in December 2025 involving a traveller who arrived at Kotoka International Airport with 18 mobile phones and various accessories.
The GRA said the items had not been declared and exceeded the personal concession provided under the Exemptions Act, 2022 (Act 1083).
The traveller was subsequently issued a Bill of Entry and required to pay the applicable duties through the normal Customs process.
The traveller reportedly paid GH¢12,690.63 in import duty on the phones and accessories and later alleged that he had been subjected to extortion.
The GRA, however, rejected the allegation, explaining that Customs officers had followed the established procedures for goods exceeding the allowable personal concession.
