Travellers can take up to GH¢500 in Ghanaian currency out of the country – Customs

The Ghana Revenue Authority's Customs Division has warned travelers to declare foreign currency before checking in their luggage at the airport. Comfort Dedaa Omari, a senior officer at the Accra International Airport Preventive Unit, explained that a currency declaration office is available at the departure area. Passengers can obtain and fill out the necessary declaration forms there.

Those carrying amounts up to US$10,000 or its equivalent in other currencies are within the prescribed threshold, while amounts exceeding this threshold must be declared. For amounts over US$50,000, passengers must provide additional supporting documents like bank receipts.

Customs emphasized that declaration forms must be completed before checking in luggage. Travelers should not place undeclared currency in checked bags, as all bags go through scanners and can be seized if undeclared money is detected. Similarly, passengers carrying undeclared currency on their person could face similar consequences if detected during screening. They may be asked to provide evidence of the currency being declared.

Failure to declare currency can lead to outright seizure and forfeiture. Customs reports declarations to the Bank of Ghana, and complex cases may require additional coordination with relevant authorities. Omari advised travelers arriving in Ghana with large amounts of foreign currency to retain declaration documents from the country they are departing from.

Upon arrival in Ghana, passengers must present the relevant declaration documents and complete the declaration process before checking in their luggage to avoid penalties.