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:
You can also skip ahead to the table containing the list of
Commonly Required Documents.
Most documents can be shipped to Ethiopia duty-free as long as they
have no commercial value. The following items are accepted as document
shipments:
- Airline tickets
- Annual reports
- Bids
- Blueprints
- Business cards
- Charts, maps
- Computer print-outs
- Credit cards
- Diplomas, examination papers
- Drawings, including sepia drawings
- Driver's licence
- Greeting cards, invitations, and gift cards
- Manuscripts
- Negotiable bonds, drafts, and cash letters
- Passports
- Periodicals and publications
- Photographs
- Price lists
- Seismic data and specifications sheets
- Visa applications
The following items may also be shipped from Canada to Ethiopia as
document shipments if they meet the criteria as shown in the table
below:
| Item | Restriction |
|---|
| Brochures | Maximum weight of 5 kg |
| Catalogues | Maximum weight of 3 kg |
| Envelopes | Blank envelopes only |
| Event tickets for concerts, stage performances, and soccer
(football) matches | Only if the tickets are NOT shipped from a printing company or
the organiser of an event |
| Forms | Blank forms only |
| Newsletters | Only intercompany documents with no commercial value |
| Manuals | Only those of a technical nature |
Sources:
https://www.ups.com/ga/CountryRegs?loc=en_US
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: 28 May 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: 28 May 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 |
Sources:
https://www.indiapost.gov.in/MBE/DOP_PDFFiles/Client_Guide_en.pdf
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)
- A detailed description of each item is provided
Sources:
http://admin.theiguides.org/Media/Documents/Ethiopia_Customs_Guide.pdf
https://www.ifrc.org/Global/Publications/IDRL/Customs-ProclamationNo.%20859-2014%20ETH.pdf
https://www.pssremovals.com/pdfs/FIDI/M_Svcs_Customsregulation_Ethiopia.pdf
Sample Commercial Invoice for Personal Effects
| Ship To | Invoice |
|---|
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: 28 May 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 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
Sources:
https://www.commerce.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Import-Profile-2020-Ethiopia.pdf
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: 28 May 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 |
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
Sources:
https://www.commerce.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Import-Profile-2020-Ethiopia.pdf http://admin.theiguides.org/Media/Documents/Ethiopia_Customs_Guide.pdf
Sample Commercial Invoice for Commercial Sample
| Ship To | Invoice |
|---|
Tafari Makonnen
1941 Haile Selassie St.
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Phone: +251 92 359 0155 | Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Commercial Sample - Not for Resale
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS
Date: 28 May 2023 |
| QTY | Description of Goods | C/O | SubTotal |
|---|
| 1 Box | Commercial Sample - Advanced reading copy of Dan Brown's novel.
| CA | $20.00 |
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export: Commercial Sample
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 |
Advertising material may be shipped temporarily to Ethiopia from
Canada provided its value is under $1,000 USD (about $1,200 CAD).
Also, advertising material must be authorized by Ethiopian customs and
aimed for one of the following purposes:
- Displayed at an exhibition
- Shown as part of a sales promotion activity
NOTE: The material must NOT be for sale.
Advertising Material Checklist
- Commercial invoice must clearly indicate 'Promotional Material - Not for
Resale' (see sample)
- A detailed description of each item is provided
Sources:
https://www.commerce.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Import-Profile-2020-Ethiopia.pdf http://admin.theiguides.org/Media/Documents/Ethiopia_Customs_Guide.pdf
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: 28 May 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 |
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
Sources:
https://www.ifrc.org/Global/Publications/IDRL/Customs-ProclamationNo.%20859-2014%20ETH.pdf
https://www.commerce.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Import-Profile-2020-Ethiopia.pdf
Sample Commercial Invoice for Warranty Repair
| Ship To | Invoice |
|---|
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: 28 May 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 |
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
Sources:
https://www.commerce.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Import-Profile-2020-Ethiopia.pdf
http://admin.theiguides.org/Media/Documents/Ethiopia_Customs_Guide.pdf.pdf
Sample Commercial Invoice for Temporary Imports
| Ship To | Invoice |
|---|
Tafari Makonnen
1941 Haile Selassie St.
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Phone: +251 92 359 0155 | Carrier tracking number: 736534736
General Description:
Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment returning Jan 2020
Invoice number: 123456MGEP4916926
Customs Broker: UPS
Date: 28 May 2023 |
| QTY | Description of Goods | C/O | SubTotal |
|---|
| 1 box | Temporary Imports - Trade show booth and display equipment
| CA | $1032.00 |
Terms of Sale: None
Total number of packages: 1
Reason for export: Temporary Imports
Contact Name: James Smith
| Total Invoice Amount: $1032.00
Total Weight: 10.0 lbs
|
| Declaration Statement: I hereby certify that information provided
is true and complete to the best of my knowledge |
Anyone wishing to import goods into Ethiopia is required to obtain an
import licence, which is issued by the Ministry of Trade.
Occasional Shipper
If you ship occasionally to Ethiopia, be aware that the recipient must
first obtain an import licence issued by the Ministry of Trade.
Additional requirements may include the following:
- Include 3 copies of the commercial invoice with your shipment
- Provide a detailed description of the goods on the commercial
invoice (in order to avoid customs delays).
Regular Shipper
If you regularly sell and ship goods to Ethiopia, we suggest you seek
advice from a licenced customs broker in Ethiopia.
Sources:
https://www.commerce.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Import-Profile-2020-Ethiopia.pdf
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: 28 May 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 |
