Frequently Asked Questions

QWhat items can I ship with VoltaHaul?

We ship a wide range of personal and commercial cargo including general goods, barrels, boxes, electronics, household items, and vehicles. We cannot ship prohibited items such as firearms, illegal drugs, hazardous materials, or goods on Ghana's import prohibition list. See our Prohibited Items page for the full list.

QHow do I get an instant price estimate?

Use the Get an Estimate tool at voltahaul.com/get-estimate — no account needed. Select air or ocean freight, add your items from the catalog, and see prices immediately. The whole process takes under 3 minutes and gives you a real price before you commit to anything.

QMy item isn't in the catalog, or I'm shipping commercial cargo. How do I get a custom quote?

For bulk shipments, recurring orders, oversized items, or commercial cargo not listed in our standard catalog, contact us directly via our Custom Freight Quote form at voltahaul.com/contact. Our team responds within 4 business hours with a tailored quote for your shipment.

QWhat are the transit times?

Transit times depend on the service you choose. Air freight to Kotoka International Airport in Accra takes 7–10 business days — the fastest option. Ocean freight to Tema Port takes 28–35 days, about 6 weeks door to door. Ro/Ro vehicle shipping takes 14–21 days. All timelines are estimates and may be affected by customs processing.

QHow long does it take to ship from the USA to Ghana by sea?

Ocean freight takes 28–35 days from our Atlanta warehouse to Tema Port. Plan on about 6 weeks door to door, which covers customs clearance and delivery in Ghana. A container closes every Saturday and the vessel sails the following Thursday, so the date that matters is the Saturday cutoff your cargo makes.

QHow long does air freight to Ghana take?

7–10 business days from Atlanta to Kotoka International Airport in Accra. That includes 1–3 business days for customs clearance at the airport.

QHow long does it take to ship a car from the USA to Ghana?

Ro/Ro (roll-on/roll-off) takes 14–21 days from port departure to Tema Port. A car shipped in a container takes about 30 days. Add 3–5 days for customs clearance at Tema before the car is released. See our Vehicle Shipping page for rates and documents.

QCan I buy from US online stores and ship to Ghana?

Yes. Have your online orders delivered to our Atlanta warehouse, addressed to Volta Haul Shipping Co., c/o your name, at 4125 Arcadia Industrial Circle SW, Lilburn, GA 30047. We receive them and ship them to Ghana by air or ocean. This works for any US store that delivers by UPS, FedEx or USPS.

QWhere can I buy a barrel for shipping?

Standard 55-gallon blue plastic drums are sold by Africa-focused shipping stores and online (Amazon, Walmart). Look for an HDPE drum with a removable lid and locking ring. We don't sell barrels yet (we're setting that up with a supplier), so message us on WhatsApp if you want a supplier near you. We ship regular 55-gallon barrels from $250 and long 65-gallon barrels from $300.

QWhich US cities do you pick up from?

Pickup is available in metro Atlanta only for now. Savannah is a drop-off warehouse (no pickup). From anywhere else in the US, ship boxes to our Atlanta warehouse by UPS, FedEx or USPS, addressed to Volta Haul Shipping Co., c/o your name, and send barrels or heavy goods by freight carrier or drop them off in Atlanta (or in Savannah by appointment). Want pickup in your city? Tell us on WhatsApp so we know where to expand next.

QDo you ship from Ghana to the USA?

Not at this time. VoltaHaul ships from the US to Ghana only, by air, ocean and vehicle shipping.

QDo you offer pickup on the West Coast?

Not at this time — our warehouses are on the East Coast (Atlanta and Savannah). West Coast customers can still ship to Ghana with us: send boxes to our Atlanta warehouse by UPS, FedEx or USPS, and barrels or heavy goods by freight carrier. Contact us and we'll help you arrange it.

QHow is pricing calculated?

Pricing is based on several factors: the weight and volume (dimensional weight) of your cargo, the service type you choose (ocean, air, or Ro/Ro), and the destination within Ghana. Our instant estimate tool calculates all applicable charges transparently before you commit.

QHow much does it cost to ship a barrel to Ghana?

A regular 55-gallon barrel (80–120 lbs) ships by ocean for $250. A long 65-gallon barrel (120–200 lbs) is $300. Customs handling at Tema Port is included; any import duty is assessed by Ghana Customs on arrival.

QHow much does it cost to ship a TV to Ghana?

By ocean, TVs ship at a flat price by screen size: 49-inch $120, 50-inch $150, 65-inch $250, 75-inch $300 and 87-inch $400. By air, a 50–55-inch TV is $600 and a 75–77-inch TV is $1,200. Ship it in its original box or a TV box. Duty on a new TV is assessed by Ghana Customs and paid by your recipient.

QHow much does it cost to ship a phone to Ghana?

Phones fly at a flat price per device: an iPhone 11–13 is $40, an iPhone 16 is $110, an iPhone 17 Pro Max is $150 and an Android phone is $100. Duty on new phones is assessed by Ghana Customs and paid by your recipient.

QHow much does air freight to Ghana cost per pound?

Air freight is $9 per pound, so a 50 lb box costs $450. That rate covers Ghana import duty on everyday personal effects. For heavy loads, ocean freight is much cheaper: a barrel holding 80–120 lbs ships from $250.

QWhat payment methods do you accept?

We accept all major credit and debit cards processed securely through Stripe, as well as Zelle for direct bank transfers. Payment details are shown at checkout and in your booking confirmation.

QDo I pay the full amount upfront?

No. A deposit is required at the time of booking to confirm and reserve your shipment slot. The remaining balance is due before your cargo departs from our US hub. You will receive a payment reminder with the exact amount and due date.

QDo you offer door-to-door shipping to Ghana?

Yes. We pick up from your home or office anywhere in metro Atlanta, ship by air or ocean, clear Ghana customs and deliver to your recipient's door in Ghana. If you live elsewhere in the US, ship your cargo to our Lilburn, GA warehouse and we still deliver door to door on the Ghana side.

QDo you handle Ghana customs clearance?

Yes — customs clearance is fully managed by VoltaHaul. We handle all required documentation and clearance procedures at Tema Port (for ocean and vehicle shipments) or Kotoka International Airport (for air freight). You do not need to engage a separate clearing agent.

QWhat duties and taxes will I pay?

Import duties and taxes are set by the Ghana Customs Authority (GCA) based on the type of goods and their declared value. Air freight is all-in for everyday personal effects: your $9/lb rate already covers Ghana import duty on used clothing, shoes, food, documents, personal care and baby items. Duty on new or high-value electronics by air, and on all ocean and vehicle shipments, is assessed by the GCA on arrival and paid by your consignee — used household goods typically attract lower duties than new electronics or vehicles. We provide a customs estimate when you book, and our team guides you through the process.

QHow long does customs clearance take in Ghana?

Air freight usually clears at Kotoka International Airport in 1–3 business days. Ocean cargo can take up to a week to clear at Tema Port, and vehicles typically take 3–5 days. Missing paperwork or a customs inspection can add time, so respond quickly if we ask you for documents.

QIs VoltaHaul a legitimate company?

Yes. VoltaHaul LLC runs its own warehouses at 4125 Arcadia Industrial Circle SW, Lilburn, GA (Atlanta headquarters) and 210 Carolan Street, Savannah, GA. Every shipment gets a tracking number, you get a price before you pay, and you can call, WhatsApp or visit us during business hours.

QHow do I track my shipment?

After booking, you receive a unique VoltaHaul tracking number. Use this number on the Track page of our website or in the VoltaHaul mobile app to see your cargo's real-time status, including departure, transit, arrival, and customs clearance milestones. SMS notifications are sent automatically at each stage.

QWhat happens if my items are damaged in transit?

We take great care in handling all cargo. However, we strongly recommend purchasing insurance for high-value or fragile items. If damage occurs, contact us immediately and provide photos of the damage and original packaging. Our team will guide you through the claims process.

QHow do I contact support?

You can reach us via WhatsApp (fastest — typically under an hour), by email at info@voltahaul.com, or through the Contact page on our website. Our support team is available Monday–Friday 8am–5pm and Saturday 9am–3pm EST.