Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Commissioner Aaron Kanor has said travellers arriving in Ghana with more than two mobile phones may have the devices treated as a commercial importation and subjected to customs duty.
According to Customs Commissioner Aaron Kanor, travellers should avoid carrying phones belonging to other people that would take the number of handsets in their possession beyond the permitted threshold.
He explained that carrying several phones on behalf of other people could amount to a commercial importation because of the high value of devices such as the latest iPhones and Samsung models.
Speaking at the Kotoka International Airport, Mr Kanor explained, “If you are a carrier of seven phones, all the seven phones, they all give you phones. When you carry all those seven phones, and you arrive, it will amount to what? Commercial.”
“Because you, as an individual, you are entitled to one. So we implore that when you are coming home, you do not collect people’s things. If you collect them and they are beyond two, when you give it to a carrier, you can only carry two.”
He added that the allowance could cover a traveller’s own phone and another handset, maybe, for a spouse.
“One for yourself and maybe one for your wife. If they are beyond that, then it amounts to commercial because all these phones are expensive.”
Customs Commissioner Aaron Kanor highlighted that the increasing value of high-end smartphones makes them an important source of customs revenue when they are imported commercially.
The GRA warning forms part of intensified checks by Customs on electronic devices being brought into the country through the airport.
Some Ghanaians reacting to the GRA Commissioner’s remarks stated, “Unreasonable. Coming into Ghana, I have one each of personal and business phones. In Ghana I use a business line, plus MTN and Airtel (for contingency if service is unreliable). A total of 5. Per this directive, should I pay tax on them every time I’m in Ghana – 4 to 5 times/year?”
One X user added, “Doesn’t make sense coming from someone like him. What if I am using like 4-5 phones myself… all the duties you take from cars and other stuff yet still phones are the ones that’s going to bring revenue”.
A netizen added, “Bringing more than one phone will not attract duty if you are able to demonstrate that they are your personal effects, and you have used them for a reasonable amount of time”.
“This is too bad…taking extortion to another level. Which people sat down and came up with this stupid idea? His explanation is more annoying. Herh gyimi paaa nie. These people have failed us. Tweaa”, an X user added.
A netizen stated, “It’s fair that you pay for bringing in more phones for your family because if I go buy a phone at Franko Phones for my family members, I certainly will pay taxes too. So the rest of us who don’t travel should pay taxes on phones we buy but not those who travel from abroad? Ei”.
One last X user added, “What he’s saying doesn’t make sense at all. Sika, how many phones do you use? Be honest. Imagine travelling outside and coming back with the same phone, and they have to charge you for that? Like how? We have people who use 3-5 phones for business purposes. What he’s saying doesn’t add up at all. They should come again abeg”.
Additionally, a netizen added, “All due respect, those who took this decision are fools. So if I have kids here in Ghana and returning from abroad, I can’t bring them phones or any electronic gadgets. Most of them are using 3 phones in Ghana. So they are going to open people’s bags at the airport”.
Watch the video below:
“Bringing more than two phones into the country will amount to commercial custom charges”
— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) September 2, 2026
—Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Customs Commissioner Aaron Kanor has cautioned travelers against bringing more than one mobile phone into the country, warning that any additional phones may… pic.twitter.com/I2Onea4Roi
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