NDL Ghana
NDL GHANA

The hidden charges in Ghana freight quotes — and how to read one properly

Updated 15 July 20266 min readWhat freight actually costs
Container vessel berthed at Tema Port with cargo handling equipment

A freight quote is a comparison tool only if two quotes cover the same scope. Most do not. These are the items to ask about explicitly.

Origin-side charges

  • Pickup from supplier and inland trucking to the consolidation warehouse.
  • Storage beyond the free period while you wait for other orders.
  • Re-packing, palletising or reinforcing weak cartons.
  • Export documentation at origin.

Destination-side charges

  • Terminal handling charge and delivery order fee.
  • Devanning or unstuffing of a groupage container.
  • Scanning, inspection and ICUMS processing charges.
  • Demurrage and terminal rent if clearance runs past the free days.
  • Last-mile delivery, which varies sharply between Accra and northern regions.

Four questions that expose a thin quote

A forwarder who answers all four in writing is quoting a landed cost. One who answers only the first is quoting a headline.

  • Is this rate all-in to my door, or to the port only?
  • What is the minimum billable volume or weight?
  • How many free days do I get before demurrage?
  • Is duty included, estimated, or excluded entirely?

Frequently asked questions

Why is my final invoice higher than the quote?

Usually because the quoted volume was estimated from supplier dimensions rather than measured cartons, or because local charges and duty were excluded. NDL invoices show the measured packing list per carton, so you can reconcile every line.

What is devanning?

Unloading a shared (groupage) container at the destination so each importer's cargo can be separated and released. It is a real cost on every LCL shipment and should appear on your quote.

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