Commonwealth Trade MSME Exporter Portal

馃嚞馃嚟 Ghana 路 Category 3 of 9

Authorisation and permits for controlled exports

Verified 路 27 Apr 2026

Certain goods (minerals, some agricultural commodities, wildlife, cultural items) need a specific export permit or licence in addition to general exporter registration.

Overview

Beyond registering as an exporter, some product categories in Ghana are controlled and need a dedicated permit before they can leave the country. Gold and other minerals require authorisation and, in most cases, sale through channels licensed by the Minerals Commission and the Precious Minerals Marketing Company. Certain unprocessed agricultural commodities (for example raw cashew, shea and grains) have historically been subject to seasonal export controls or registration through the relevant commodity board or ministry, so check the current-season rules before buying stock to export. Wildlife and forest products fall under the Wildlife Division / CITES permitting, and antiquities need clearance from the museums authority. The practical rule for an MSME: identify which regulator owns your product and secure its written authorisation before you commit to a buyer's delivery date.

Key requirements

  1. 1

    Identify the controlling regulator

    Match your product to its regulator (Minerals Commission for minerals, Forestry/Wildlife for timber and wildlife, MoTI/COCOBOD for cocoa).

  2. 2

    Mineral export authorisation

    Gold and precious minerals require licensing and assaying through the Minerals Commission and PMMC before export.

  3. 3

    Seasonal commodity controls

    Check whether raw commodities such as cashew, shea or grains face current-season export restrictions or registration requirements.

  4. 4

    CITES / wildlife permit

    Species and forest products listed under CITES need a permit from the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission.

  5. 5

    Cocoa export licensing

    Cocoa beans and products are regulated through COCOBOD and the Ministry of Trade and Industry licensing framework.

Documents you will need

  • Product-specific export permit or licence
  • Minerals Commission authorisation / PMMC assay certificate (minerals)
  • CITES export permit (listed species / forest products)
  • Commodity board registration (e.g. cocoa, cashew)
  • Proof of exporter registration with GEPA
  • Company registration and TIN