Ethiopia is one of the oldest countries in Africa, and home to some of the most ancient hominid remains ever found. Not surprising then that modern Ethiopia is an assemblage of 80-plus ethnic groups. And it produces more coffee than any other African nation - that may explain why Ethiopians are some of the world's fastest long-distance runners.
Ethiopia's population - 112 million - is Africa's second largest, and boasts one of the continent's fastest growing economies. However, e-commerce is still in its early stages there, but the Ethiopian government is drafting legislation to govern the country's e-commerce just as Ethiopia's banks are launching e-banking services. And like the hominids of old, today's Ethiopians are evolving to the new commercial world.
Easily compare the best and cheapest shipping options to Ethiopia through a variety of carriers using Secureship
Secureship provides safe and affordable shipping from Canada to Ethiopia. In case you are an everyday shopper or a business,
you can easily save up to 50% on your international shipping costs by way of accessing our group buying power.
Shipments through Secureship come with full, easy to read tracking information to Ethiopia
Tracking #:780123123123
Tel: 1-800-463-3339
Signed By: Pikwalia @ Residence
Feb 8, 2023
8:49 am
Gondar, GO, ET
Delivered
Feb 7, 2023
7:18 am
Bahir Dar , BD, ET
In transit
Feb 6, 2023
9:03 pm
Nazret, NA, ET
International Clearance
Feb 6, 2023
8:14 am
Addis Ababa, AA, ET
In transit
Feb 6, 2023
12:17 am
Toronto, ON, CA
In transit
Feb 5, 2023
4:30 pm
Ottawa, ON, CA
Pickup Scan
Disclaimer!
While we have made every effort to ensure that the information on this page is accurate, Customs laws and procedures change regularly so it is
important to consult a licensed broker in Ethiopia before shipping any goods.
Types of Shipments
Not all types of shipments are created equal. Shipping a television will require different
paperwork, duties, and taxes than shipping an accounting statement, for example.
Here is a list of the most common types of shipments:
Shipping gifts from Canada to Ethiopia with a value up to 250 ETB (about $7 CAD) or less will be exempt from duty. Gifts must be for personal use and have no commercial value.
Shipments from Individual-to-Individual
If you ship a gift to someone in Ethiopia from Canada with a value up to 250 ETB (about $7 CAD) or less it will be exempt from duty. Gifts must be intended for personal use of the addressee or his/her family and they are not meant to be sold.
Shipments from Business-to-Business
All gift shipments from a business in Canada to a business in Ethiopia will incur duty and taxes.
Shipments from Business-to-Individual
A gift shipment from a business in Canada to an individual in Ethiopia will be charged duty and taxes regardless of the value of the gift.
Gift Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
The words 'Gift Shipment' or 'Unsolicited Gift' are included on the commercial invoice, even if the shipment is sent at Christmas time
(see sample)
List the items in the parcel and write the value of each
Sending more than one gift in the parcel? Wrap and tag each one individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Tafari Makonnen 1941 Haile Selassie St. Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Phone: +251 92 359 0155
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal Shipment / Gift Shipment
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 5 Feb 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift Shipment: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$79.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $79.99
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Multiple Gifts in One Shipment
If you are sending more than one gift in one parcel, ensure that you wrap and tag each one individually.
Sample Commercial Invoice for Gifts
Ship To
Invoice
Tafari Makonnen 1941 Haile Selassie St. Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Phone: +251 92 359 0155
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Unsolicited Gift: Consolidated Gift Package
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 5 Feb 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Gift - Roger: LEGO Star Wars Rebel UWing Fighter, 659 piece set
CA
$39.99
1 Each
Gift - Erica: Handwoven French Canadian Catalogne Blanket
CA
$49.99
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Gifts Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $89.98
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Shipping personal effects to Ethiopia may incur duty depending on the nature and quantity of items being imported, and on who is the shipper of the goods.
Moving Temporarily
Students
There is no information at this time regarding students moving temporarily from Canada to Ethiopia for their studies.
Non-Students
If you are moving for the first time to Ethiopia, you are allowed to import your personal belongings duty-free if:
The shipment value is no more than $5,000 USD (about $6,065 CAD)
There is no more than 1 unit of each type of electronic device
The documents arrive in Ethiopia 15 days before the goods are shipped
Moving permanently
Ethiopian nationals returning to live permanently in Ethiopia may import their personal effects duty-free under the following conditions:
Items are shipped to Ethiopia within 3 months of the owner's arrival
The goods are same as when they left the country
Items are allowed entry by the Ethiopian Revenue & Customs Authority
Items shipped are for personal use only, i.e. they have no commercial value
Personal effects are for the use of its owner and his or her family. They include:
Furniture, carpets, pictures, linen, dishes, glassware, and cutlery
Sewing machines
Binoculars, cameras (including movie cameras up to 16 mm)
No more than 1 unit of each type of electronic device
Sports equipment
Toys for personal use of family members and approved by customs
2 L of beverages with or without alcohol
Instruments and tools required for the profession or trade of the shipper
Tobacco products up to 100 Cigars, 20 packs of Cigarettes, and 500gm of Tobacco
Personal Effects Checklist
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Personal Effects'
(see sample)
Tafari Makonnen 1941 Haile Selassie St. Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Phone: +251 92 359 0155
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Personal effects being delivered to my new address.
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 5 Feb 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
5 Pairs
Personal Effects: 5 pairs of various types of shoes
IN
$40.00
1 Each
Personal Effects: Arc'terix Winter Jacket
CA
$478.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Personal Effects Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $678.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Food, Chocolate, Candies
Food products and vitamin supplements may be imported into Ethiopia, but are restricted to certain items listed in the Ethiopian Revenue & Customs Authority and require a specific licence from the Ministry of Public Health.
You May Ship
Food products
Baby food
Vitamin supplements
Chocolate
Candy
Do Not Ship
Soft drinks
Alcoholic beverages
Food, Chocolate, Candies Checklist
Clearly indicate 'Food' on the commercial invoice in the General Description or Remarks section (see sample)
Ensure that your food, chocolate, or candies may be imported into the country
You are not shipping commercial quantities (for any duty & tax exemption)
Check with your carrier that they will accept food shipments
Sample Commercial Invoice for Food, Chocolate, Candies
Ship To
Invoice
Tafari Makonnen 1941 Haile Selassie St. Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Phone: +251 92 359 0155
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Food Shipment - Assorted chocolate bars in their original manufacturer's packaging
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 5 Feb 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Box
Nestle Chocolate Bars in original packaging expiring May 2021 (shelf life of 6 months or longer)
CA
$20.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent / Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $20.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Samples
Commercial samples are those shipped for display and demonstration purposes at exhibitions or sales promotion events.
The objective is to encourage future purchases of the samples, not to sell them.
Samples shipped from Canada to Ethiopia may be exempt from duty if the shipment is valued under $1,000 USD (about $ 1,200 CAD), and the:
Items are displayed at an exhibition
Items are shown at a sales promotional event
Items are not prohibited goods
Commercial Sample Checklist
A Commercial Invoice must be included with your shipment
Clearly indicate 'Commercial Samples' on the commercial invoice in the General Description & Detailed Description of Goods (see sample)
The item shipped has tearing, perforation, slashing, defacing, or has permanent marking clearing indicating the item as commercial sample
Sample Commercial Invoice for Promotional Material
Ship To
Invoice
Tafari Makonnen 1941 Haile Selassie St. Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Phone: +251 92 359 0155
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Promotional Material - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 5 Feb 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Promotional Material: Not for Resale. Product pamphlets to hand out at trade show.
CA
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Promotional Material Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Repairs
Equipment sent to Ethiopia from Canada for repair will incur duty on the cost of the repair or value added to the product. The equipment must be returned to Canada within 6 months of its arrival in Ethiopia.
Items Under Warranty
If a piece of equipment under warranty is shipped to Canada from Ethiopia for repairs, duty and taxes will be incurred only on the shipping and insurance charges.
Equipment must re-enter Ethiopia no longer than 12 months after it left the country for Canada.
Items No Longer Under Warranty
Equipment that is no longer under warranty and is returning to Canada from Ethiopia after repairs, will be charged GST on the value of the repair and on any new parts required to complete the repair.
Sending Product for Repair to Ethiopia
Equipment sent to Ethiopia from Canada for repair will incur duty on the cost of the repair or the value added to the equipment. Repaired equipment must be re-exported within 6 months from the date of importation in Ethiopia.
Returning Repaired Product to Ethiopia
Equipment repaired in Canada and returned to Ethiopia may be exempt from duty and taxes if it meets the following criteria:
Repaired equipment is returned to Ethiopia within a maximum period of 1 year from its departure from Ethiopia.
Shipper provides proof to the Ethiopian Revenue & Customs Authority that equipment cannot be repaired in Ethiopia.
Repair Checklist
Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'REPAIR & RETURN' under the General Description or Remarks, and include the estimated time of return
(see sample)
Include repair contract with shipment
Serial or product number and the cost of repairs should be indicated under the Detailed Description of Goods section
Include the original shipping documents or tracking number from when the item was first exported to Ethiopia or exported to Canada (depending on which case applies)
A commercial invoice must be included with your shipment
Tafari Makonnen 1941 Haile Selassie St. Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Phone: +251 92 359 0155
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Repair and Return - Watch being sent for repair
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 5 Feb 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
1 Each
Fossil Watch being sent for repair - Model E5, serial # 789456FG7E2 - Repair Cost $76.00
US
$163.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Warranty Repair Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $163.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Temporary Imports
Importing items temporarily into Ethiopia may be exempt from duties and taxes when they are shipped for specific purposes.
A deposit equivalent to the import duties and taxes is required.
Temporary imports into Ethiopia cannot be prohibited goods, but may include the following:
Items for display at exhibitions
Items that have no commercial value and are not intended for sale
Commercial samples displayed at sales promotional activities
Items must be returned within one year from date of arrival in Ethiopia.
ATA Carnets
Ethiopia does not recognise ATA Carnets for the importation of temporary goods to the country.
Temporary Imports Checklist
Commercial Invoice clearly stating 'Temporary Import'. This must be written in the General Description section and the Detailed Description of Goods.
(see sample)
The goods arrive and leave in the same condition, i.e. they undergo no repairs nor are they used in manufacturing
Stay no longer than the period listed above
Include your ATA Carnet with your shipment (if applicable)
Include the expected return date or the date that it was originally received within the country (whichever applies)
Any above listed items not listed in this checklist
Sample Commercial Invoice for Permanent/Sold Goods
Ship To
Invoice
Tafari Makonnen 1941 Haile Selassie St. Addis Ababa Ethiopia
Phone: +251 92 359 0155
Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Permanent/Sold: Parts and accessories for Canon B78n camera
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926 Customs Broker: UPS Date: 5 Feb 2023
QTY
Description of Goods
C/O
SubTotal
15 Each
Camera Lenses: Canon EF 50mm, Canon EF 85mm & wide-angle lenses.
CA
$132.00
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export:Permanent/Sold Contact Name: James Smith
Total Invoice Amount: $1980.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided is true and complete to the best of my knowledge
Required Documents
Shipping packages internationally requires a lot of documentation. This process alone can be confusing and time-consuming.
So we’ve narrowed down what documents you might need and ranked them based on likeliness of being needed.
Document Type
When?
Details
Shipping Label / Bill of Lading
Always required
This is a label provided by the carrier (UPS, FedEx, DHL, etc.). Always required because the carrier needs to know the parcel's destination.
Commercial Invoice
Required for all non-document shipments
For all non-document shipments, you will require 3 copies of the commercial invoice (to be included with your shipping labels).
These are for customs purposes and need to be included inside a document pouch outside of the box.
When creating a shipment through the Secureship website, the system will help you create this document automatically.
B13a
Required if value exceeds $2,000 per shipment or is a controlled good
A B13a is required if your shipment exceeds $2000 CAD or is a controlled good
and is destined to a country other than the US, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands
Canada has a preferential trade agreement with Ethiopia. A COO proves that an item has been produced, manufactured or processed in Canada.
When an item with a COO is imported into Ethiopia, it will incur a reduced or zero-rated import duty.
Certificate of Insurance (COI)
Infrequently required
Shows that the shipment has been insured.
Banks may request a certificate of insurance when providing letters of credit for the goods. Otherwise,
it is generally your choice whether to purchase insurance for the shipment.
ATA Carnet
Infrequently required
Used to avoid duties and taxes on shipments of temporary nature.
If you ship goods of temporary nature to and from a country, you can obtain an ATA Carnet to expedite the customs clearance process and
ensure that anything of temporary nature is not charged duties and taxes.
No specific form is required, but generally includes information regarding:
The exporter, importer and transport company
Date of issue
Number of freight invoice
Type and number of packages
Contents of each package
Marks and numbers
Net weight, gross weight and measurements of each package
Prohibited & Restricted Imports
Prohibited items are not allowed to be shipped to Ethiopia while restricted items may enter the country but must abide by rules like quantity limits or who may send them.
Prohibited Items
Used clothing
Goods of a commercial nature not imported officially
Bank notes
Any material that is offensive or contrary to the public order of Ethiopia
Shipments to Ethiopia have VAT and duty charges calculated using the CIF method, i.e. the sum of the customs value plus insurance fees plus freight costs.
CIF Value = Customs Value + Insurance Amount + Freight Costs
By knowing the CIF value of a shipment, you will be able to predict the duty and taxes owed by the recipient.
Thresholds
There are no threshold values (also known as the de minimis value) below which no duty or taxes are incurred. This means all imports, regardless of value, will incur duty and VAT.
Currency
Ethiopian Birr ETB
Duty Exemption (De minimis Value)
N/A
Duty Calculation Method
CIF
TAX (VAT)
15%
Tax Exemption
(De minimis Value)
N/A
Tax Calculation Method
CIF
Duties on Imports
Excise Taxes
Excise taxes are imposed on a selection of imported goods such as alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, and luxury items. The tax rate ranges from 5% to 500%.
You can purchase
insurance
through Secureship and it is provided by the carrier that will be transporting your shipment.
Each carrier will charge a different amount per $100 of declared insurance. If you indicate that you need insurance for your shipment our system will automatically include the insurance costs for your shipment.
Insurance is great to have in case your package is accidentally lost or damaged by the carrier. But be careful, not everything you ship is insurable. Worse - even if your package contains items that are insurable, if it doesn’t meet the ISTA 3A packaging standard, the insurance purchased through the carrier would not be available to you.
Here are some items that cannot be insured by the carrier:
Personal belongings
Antiques
Artwork
Liquids (including alcohol)
Televisions
Jewellery in excess of $500
Perishable goods
Glass or Ceramic
And many more items
For more information, please see the carrier's terms and conditions.
Shipping to Ethiopia from Canada can take between 3-5 business days through the fastest carriers available on the Secureship platform.
More economical services, such as Canada Post, can take up to 1-2 months to complete the delivery.
