Most demurrage bills are self-inflicted. Here is the document pack that clears fast, and the five errors that hold containers.
Key takeaways
- Start clearance while the vessel is still at sea — not on arrival day.
- Invoice, packing list and bill of lading must agree exactly on quantity, weight and description.
- Free time is short. Every extra day is demurrage from the line plus rent from the terminal.
Tema handles the majority of Ghana's containerised trade, and the port itself is rarely the reason a container sits. In our experience the overwhelming majority of delays trace back to paperwork that was incomplete, inconsistent or submitted too late.
The document pack that clears cleanly
- Commercial invoice with the correct HS code per line item
- Packing list matching the invoice exactly (cartons, weight, dimensions)
- Bill of lading (sea) or air waybill (air), correctly consigned
- Import Declaration Form and Tax Identification Number details
- Certificate of origin where a preferential rate is claimed
- Product permits: FDA for food, cosmetics and medical items; Ghana Standards Authority conformity; Energy Commission for regulated appliances
- Insurance certificate if the shipment is covered
The five errors that hold containers
- 1Vague descriptions — "general goods" or "assorted items" invites physical examination and reclassification.
- 2Undervaluation — a suspiciously low invoice triggers uplift, penalties and a much slower route through valuation.
- 3Mismatch between invoice and packing list quantities or weights.
- 4Consignee name on the bill of lading that does not match the TIN holder clearing the cargo.
- 5Missing permits for regulated products, discovered only after arrival.
Understanding demurrage vs rent
Two different clocks run against you. Demurrage is charged by the shipping line for holding their container beyond the agreed free days. Terminal rent (storage) is charged by the port for occupying yard space. Both escalate in tiers, so a container that sits two weeks costs far more than twice a container that sits one week.
What good clearance looks like
Our customs team pre-classifies your goods, checks the pack for internal consistency, lodges the declaration ahead of arrival, and keeps you updated at each stage — arrival, examination, duty payment, release and delivery. Typical clearance for a clean, correctly documented consignment at Tema is 3 – 7 working days from discharge.
Next step
Need this handled by specialists?
Talk to our procurement, freight and customs team for a shipment-specific answer — not a generic quote.
