Commissioner of Customs at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), Aaron Kanor, has warned that travellers bringing several new mobile phones and other electronic devices into Ghana could be required to pay customs duties if the items are classified as commercial imports.
Speaking in an interview with TV3 on September 2, 2026, Aaron Kanor said passengers who arrive with more than two mobile phones may be required to pay duties on the additional devices, particularly if they are new and brought in significant quantities.
He explained that while a traveller may be allowed to bring a phone for personal use and another for a spouse, carrying several additional phones for relatives and friends could result in the items being treated as commercial goods.
“In Ghana, because of our culture, when one is travelling, Amma gives you one phone, Kofi gives you another and all the days born phones; they all give you phones. When you carry all those seven phones, and you arrive, it will amount to what? Commercial,” he said.
According to Kanor, Customs may treat multiple electronic devices as commercial goods when the quantity goes beyond what can reasonably be considered personal effects.
He therefore advised travellers to be cautious about accepting several phones and other electronic devices from friends and relatives to transport into Ghana, as the items could be subjected to customs assessment and duties upon arrival.
He noted that high-value devices, particularly iPhones and Samsung phones, are of interest to Customs because of the revenue that can be generated from their importation.
“If you look at iPhone, Samsung, they are very expensive. That is where we can get our revenue,” he said.
Kanor further revealed that the Customs Division is working to automate the profiling of passengers arriving at Ghanaian airports as part of efforts to improve revenue collection and reduce delays.