The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) has cautioned travellers against carrying multiple mobile phones into the country on behalf of other people, warning that bringing more than two phones may result in the items being treated as commercial goods and subjected to duty.

According to GRA Customs Commissioner Aaron Kanor, during a media engagement at the Accra International Airport on September 2, an individual is generally entitled to bring in up to two mobile phones for personal use, with any additional phones potentially considered commercial imports.

The warning is aimed at travellers who may agree to carry phones belonging to friends, relatives or other individuals when returning to Ghana.

Customs explained that while one person may receive a phone from one individual, another from a different person and continue accumulating several phones, carrying all the items together could change how the goods are classified.

“Ama gives you one phone, Kofi gives you another, Akua gives you another. All seven of them give you phones. When you carry all those seven phones, and you arrive, it will amount to what? Commercial”, he said.

Consequently, he urged that travellers should avoid carrying other people’s phones if doing so would take the number beyond the permitted personal-use allowance.

“As an individual, you are entitled to one. So, we implore you that when you are coming home, do not collect other people’s items,” the official said.

According to Customs, an individual may carry two phones, with one intended for personal use and another potentially for a spouse.

“If you collect them and they are more than two, it becomes commercial. One individual can only carry two: one for yourself and maybe one for your wife,” the official added.

Customs further explained that the value of modern smartphones, particularly high-end brands such as iPhones and Samsung devices, makes them significant sources of revenue when imported for commercial purposes.

“Anything beyond that amounts to commercial goods because all these phones are expensive. Look at iPhones, Samsung phones and the rest. They are very expensive, and that is where we can get our revenue,” the official said.

The GRA has therefore urged travellers to be mindful of the items they agree to carry for others when entering Ghana to avoid potential customs charges and other issues at the point of entry.