This man has criticised the tax on multiple phones brought in by travellers
A Ghanaian man based in Italy has questioned the rationale behind taxing mobile phones brought into Ghana by travellers, arguing that the country has failed to fully harness its abundant natural resources to drive national development.
According to him, Ghana is endowed with resources including gold, diamond, lithium, manganese and petroleum, yet the country continues to seek additional revenue from ordinary items travellers carry into the country for their relatives and friends.
“If you are outside the country and you buy a mobile phone for your relatives, you have to pay tax on it. After all the gold and diamond, lithium and manganese, the country is still underdeveloped,” he said.
He questioned how much revenue the government could generate from taxing one or two mobile phones brought into the country by travellers as gifts for family members.
“How much money are you going to get from one or two mobile phones people are bringing in for relatives at the airport?” he asked in a viral video sighted by GhanaWeb on September 10, 2026.
He further questioned why Ghana, despite its natural resource wealth, would need to rely on taxes on personal items brought into the country.
Travellers carrying multiple new phones may pay customs duties-
“We have gold, diamond, lithium, manganese, petroleum and all these natural resources. What are we doing with them?” he asked.
He also compared Ghana to Italy, arguing that countries with significant natural resources should be able to use those resources to develop their economies rather than placing additional financial burdens on citizens.
His comments follow remarks by the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority suggesting that any travellers carrying more than one mobile phone could have the devices treated as commercial imports and subjected to duties and taxes.
Meanwhile, GRA has clarified that travellers carrying more than two mobile phones into Ghana will not automatically be required to pay Customs duty.
In a press release issued on September 3, 2026, the GRA said the number of mobile phones carried by a passenger does not, on its own, determine whether Customs duty is payable.
The Authority explained that Customs officers assess each case based on the circumstances, particularly whether the phones are genuinely for personal use or are being brought into the country for another person, sale, distribution or other commercial purposes.
Factors that may be considered include the quantity and nature of the devices, whether they are already in use, whether they are new and commercially packaged, the number of similar items being carried and any indication that the goods are intended for sale or distribution.
“The number of phones carried does not, on its own, determine whether duty is payable,” the GRA stated.
The Authority said a traveller could legitimately carry more than one phone for personal reasons, including having a work device or a replacement handset, without the phones necessarily being classified as commercial imports.
However, where a passenger carries several new or similarly packaged devices, particularly on behalf of other people, Customs may assess whether the items qualify as personal effects or should instead be treated as imports.
The GRA noted that Ghana’s Customs laws distinguish between personal effects and goods imported for sale, supply or other commercial purposes.
Where goods are determined to be commercial imports and are subject to duty, the applicable taxes and duties will be assessed in accordance with Customs laws and procedures.
The Authority has advised travellers carrying goods genuinely intended for personal use to use the green channel at the point of entry.
Passengers carrying goods whose quantity or nature goes beyond personal effects have been encouraged to use the red channel to declare the items and pay any applicable duties.
Travellers who are uncertain about the status of items they are carrying have also been advised to declare them and seek guidance from Customs officers at the point of entry.
The GRA said the purpose of Customs controls is not to inconvenience legitimate travellers, including Ghanaians returning home with personal belongings or reasonable gifts for family members.
It said the objective is to facilitate legitimate travel while ensuring that goods imported for commercial purposes are properly declared and treated in accordance with the law.
The Authority added that the approach is consistent with Ghana’s Customs framework and passenger concessions provided under the Exemptions Act, 2022 (Act 1083).
The GRA reaffirmed its commitment to applying Customs procedures fairly, consistently and professionally while providing clearer information to help travellers understand their rights and obligations.
See the video below:
View on Threads
JKB/BAI
“I’m a Single Mother, I Sell Pure Water to Care for Him” – Woman Cries Over Son’s School Placement
Copyright © 1994 - 2026 GhanaWeb. All rights reserved.
