As of Saturday, April 19, 2025, here's an update on tariffs related to Ghana, encompassing both general import duties within Ghana and specific impacts from recent global tariff changes: General Import Tariffs in Ghana: ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET): Ghana, as a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), applies the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET). The CET has five tariff bands: 0%: Essential social goods (e.g., medicine, publications).   5%: Essential commodities, raw materials, and capital goods. 10%: Intermediate goods. 20%: Finished goods. 35%: Certain goods in sectors the government seeks to protect (e.g., poultry).   Exceptions to CET: Ghana historically maintained some exceptions to the CET. In the past, this number was around 190, with the highest applied tariff being 20% in those exceptional cases. The current number of exceptions isn't specified in the immediate search results, but it's important to note they exist. Other Duties and Charges: In addition to import duties based on the CET, Ghana levies several other fees and charges on imports. These can significantly increase the overall cost of imported goods and include: Value Added Tax (VAT): 15% (increased in 2022) applied to the CIF value plus import duty and other charges. National Health Insurance Levy: 2.5% on the duty-inclusive value.   GETFund Levy: 2.5% on the duty-inclusive value.   ECOWAS Levy: 0.5% on goods from non-ECOWAS countries.   African Union Levy: 0.2%   COVID Recovery Levy: Introduced in 2021. Education Fund Levy: Introduced in 2018. Sanitation and Pollution Levy: Introduced in 2021. Energy Sector Recovery Levy: Introduced in 2021. Energy Debt Recovery Levy: Introduced in 2021. Energy Fund Levy: Introduced in 2021. Processing Fee: 1% (applied even to duty-free imports). Destination Inspection Fee & ICUMS charge. EXIM Levy: 0.75%. Examination Fee: 1% (on used vehicles). Special Import Levy: For certain goods. Environmental Tax: Introduced in 2013. Overall Impact: The cumulative effect of these tariffs, VAT, and other charges can result in a total import cost significantly higher than just the stated CET rate, often exceeding 23% in many cases.   Impact of Recent Global Tariff Changes (Specifically the US): US Universal Tariff: As of April 5, 2025, the United States imposed a 10% universal tariff on imports from most countries, including Ghana. Goods already in transit before this date were exempt.   Ghana's Response: The Ghanaian government stated it would take swift action following the U.S. tariff imposition and would seek tariff relief for key export sectors through bilateral talks with the U.S. Exemptions: Certain product categories were exempted from the U.S. tariffs, such as copper, pharmaceuticals, and critical minerals. However, Ghana's priority exports were reportedly not included in these initial exemptions. Potential for Reciprocal Tariffs: While the U.S. announced reciprocal tariffs ranging from 11% to 50% for over 50 countries effective April 9, 2025, there's no specific mention in the provided snippets whether Ghana was subject to rates higher than the initial 10% universal tariff during the 90-day pause (excluding China, Hong Kong, and Macau). Recent Utility Tariff Increases within Ghana: It's important to note that while the main focus here is on import/export tariffs, Ghana has also recently seen increases in domestic utility tariffs: Effective May 3, 2025, electricity tariffs will increase by an average of 14.75%, and water tariffs will rise by 4.02%.   These increases are part of a quarterly review process under Ghana's IMF program and are attributed to factors like changes in the exchange rate, inflation, and the cost of natural gas. Key Takeaway: Ghana applies the ECOWAS Common External Tariff with five bands, but the total cost of imports is often much higher due to VAT and numerous other levies and fees. Recent U.S. tariffs have added a 10% levy on Ghanaian exports to the U.S., prompting the Ghanaian government to seek relief. Additionally, domestic utility tariffs within Ghana are set to increase in May 2025. For specific tariff rates on particular goods, it's recommended to consult the Harmonized System (HS) Customs Code and the official tariff schedule of Ghana's Revenue Authority. The U.S. Commercial Service in Ghana may also provide assistance.