Aviation analyst Sean Mendez has said that Ghana’s system for handling delayed airline baggage is not unique, noting that similar customs-controlled processes exist in several countries around the world, even though the passenger experience may differ.
His comments come amid renewed public discussion on social media about how delayed baggage is handled in Ghana, with some passengers questioning why they are required to return to airports to collect their luggage instead of receiving home delivery, as is common in some international destinations.
Speaking to The High Street Journal, Mendez explained that the handling of delayed or unaccompanied baggage is largely governed by customs procedures rather than airline discretion, a structure that exists in many jurisdictions globally.
He said Ghana Customs generally requires that baggage be cleared either by the passenger in person or by an authorised representative before it can be released, a process designed to maintain control over items entering the country.
According to him, this approach is not unique to Ghana, as several countries apply similar customs-based verification systems for unaccompanied baggage.
He pointed to countries such as India and the United Arab Emirates, where passengers are often required to declare the contents of their baggage or undergo inspection procedures before release. In such systems, customs authorities retain final control over whether baggage is cleared directly or subjected to further checks.
However, he noted that differences emerge in how flexible systems are in practice. In some jurisdictions, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, airlines or logistics partners may be permitted to handle final delivery under certain thresholds or declarations, allowing more streamlined recovery processes for passengers.
Despite these variations, he stressed that the underlying principle remains the same: customs authorities determine how unaccompanied baggage is handled, and airlines operate within those rules.
Mendez also explained that airlines may, in rare cases, be allowed to act as intermediaries in clearing baggage on behalf of passengers, particularly during large-scale disruptions involving many travellers. However, he noted that such exceptions require explicit approval from customs authorities and are not part of routine procedures.
He added that these limitations often shape how passengers experience baggage delays, even though the regulatory frameworks behind them are broadly consistent across countries.
The analyst further noted that most delayed baggage cases are resolved within a short period, with the majority cleared within 48 to 72 hours, making the system more about controlled release than long-term storage or delivery.
He urged passengers to better understand how customs and airline responsibilities interact, adding that perceptions of inefficiency are often shaped by differences in national procedures rather than entirely different systems.
While the passenger experience may vary, Ghana’s delayed baggage handling process reflects a broader global framework in which customs authorities remain central to the release of unaccompanied luggage.
