Air Freight vs Sea Freight to Ghana: Which Should You Choose?
Speed or savings? We break down when to fly your cargo and when to send it by sea from the U.S. to Ghana and West Africa.
Read articleFor generations, families in the diaspora have sent love home in barrels. They're sturdy, sealable and priced simply — perfect for clothing, food items, toiletries and household goods.
Barrel or box?
Barrels are durable, water-resistant and harder to tamper with. Boxes suit lighter, irregular items and are easy to source. Both ship at predictable flat rates by sea freight.
How to pack a barrel like a pro
- Line the barrel with a heavy plastic bag.
- Put heavy items at the bottom, fragile items wrapped in clothing in the middle.
- Fill gaps — movement causes breakage.
- Seal liquids in zip bags and tape caps.
- Lock the lid with a metal ring and a seal; write the consignee's name and phone on two sides.
What not to pack
Flammables, aerosols, firearms, cash, perishable food and anything on our prohibited list.
Pickup and delivery
Drop off at our Irvington, NJ warehouse or book a pickup. In Ghana we offer door-to-door delivery to Accra, Tema, Kumasi, Takoradi and beyond, or pickup from our partner location.
Packing list template
Write a simple list per barrel: item, quantity, approximate value. It speeds up customs and protects you if anything is questioned.
Package Direct Team
Our logistics specialists in New Jersey and Ghana share practical, first-hand advice from thousands of shipments to West Africa.
