Getting your COCOBOD cocoa export licence
Last reviewed 29 July 2026
Cocoa export from Ghana runs through the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) framework. Whether you’re a Licensed Buying Company or an exporter, the licensing and registration steps are the gateway to shipping.
Register your farms in the GCFRS
The Ghana Cocoa Farm Registration System (GCFRS) captures farm-level data, including the geolocation now required for EUDR. Registering plots (minimum four GPS points each) is foundational — it feeds both your licence and your EU due-diligence evidence.
Phytosanitary and quality inspection
Cocoa shipments need a phytosanitary certificate from Ghana’s Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate (PPRSD), plus quality checks (moisture, defects). Build in at least a week before shipment.
Fit it into your market access
Your COCOBOD documentation is one layer; the destination market adds its own. See the full cocoa → EU requirements or check your own compliance. Confirm current fees and steps with COCOBOD directly.
Put this into practice
Run a free compliance check for your product and market.