Shipping to and from Ethiopia

Limark in Ethiopia

Connecting Ethiopia across Africa and beyond

For years, Limark has been a vital link in the Ethiopia trade corridor, ensuring seamless cargo movement. Our deep understanding of the local landscape, from complex regulations to infrastructure challenges, enables us to provide tailored logistics solutions that minimize delays and optimize costs for your Ethiopian operations.

Beyond our carrier services, Limark Ethiopia offers a full suite of freight forwarding solutions. This includes customs clearance expertise, door-to-door delivery, and project cargo handling. Backed by a vast network and a commitment to reliability, Limark is your trusted partner for conquering the complexities of Ethiopian trade.

Import regulations

Importing goods to Ethiopia requires navigating specific procedures and documentation. Here’s a breakdown of the essential requirements:

Regulations and restrictions

Product categories requiring import licenses/permits

Agricultural Products: Seeds, plants, plant products — Permit from Ministry of Agriculture
Livestock, animal products — Permit from Ministry of Agriculture
Pesticides, fertilizers — Permit from Ministry of Agriculture

Health/Pharmaceutical products

Medicines, medical equipment — Import permit from EFDA (Ethiopian FDA)
Narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances – Special import/export permit

Weapons, ammunition, explosives:

Import permit required from the Ministry of Defense

Chemical products

Certain chemicals, and solvents – License from Ministry of Trade and Industry
Precious Metals, Gemstones:
Import permit from the Ministry of Mines and Energy

Vehicles/Automotive

Used vehicles over 10 years old prohibited
Import permit required for new vehicles

Electronics/Telecom equipment

Permit from Ethiopian Telecom regulator (if wireless capability)

Food/Beverage

Many products like milk and meat require permits from health authorities
Alcoholic beverages — Special permit from taxation authority

Prohibited/Restricted imports

Narcotics like cocaine, heroin — Prohibited
Materials that violate copyrights or intellectual property are prohibited
Used clothing and shoes beyond personal amounts — Restricted
Weapons, ammunition, and explosives without permit — Prohibited
Pornographic and seditious materials — Prohibited
Hazardous waste and industrial contaminants — Restricted
Counterfeit goods and currency — Prohibited

Relevant agencies involved

Ethiopian Customs Commission (ECC)
Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA)
Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Trade and Industry
Ministry of Health
Ministry of Mines and Energy
National Bank of Ethiopia

Required import documents

Bill of Lading/Airway Bill
Commercial Invoice
Packing List
Import Permit (for regulated goods)
Certificate of Origin
Freight Insurance Certificate
Import License (for some products)
Customs Import Declaration

Product-specific documents

Phytosanitary Certificate (plants/agriculture)
Sanitary/Health Certificate (foods)
Radiation Permit (radioactive materials)
OBL Instructions (for vessels)
SOLAS Certificate (weights/container specifications)

Commercial invoice details

Detailed product descriptions, HS codes
Quantities, unit prices, total invoice value
Incoterms and payment terms
Final destination details

Packing list details

List of each item and package contents
Descriptions, quantities, weights, dimensions
Package markings/numbers

Demurrage and detention charges

Free time period

10 calendar days of free demurrage for import containers
Calculated from the container discharge date at the port terminal

Demurrage charges calculation

After 10 free days, charged by container size per day
- 20 ft container – $15/day
- 40 ft container – $30/day
No free time extensions granted

Detention charges

Separate detention fees charged by shipping lines
Rates vary, but typically $80-$120 per container per day
This applies if the container isn’t returned within the allowed period after pickup

Storage limitations

Containers must be cleared within 30 calendar days
After 30 days, moved to off-terminal depot storage
Depot storage fees apply ($5-$10 per TEU per day)

Hazardous cargo regulations

Import permits required for:

Explosives, ammunition, fireworks
Radioactive materials
Toxic industrial chemicals
Hazardous wastes

Permits from:

Radiation Protection Authority (for radioactive materials)
Ministry of Mines (for explosives)
EFDA and Environment Ministry (for chemicals/hazardous waste)

Requirements

Proper hazard labels and placarding
Safety Data Sheets
Secure packaging per IMDG Code
Special handling and storage instructions
May require inspections and testing

Import licenses and permits process

General process

Identify the regulating body/ministry for your product
Obtain the application form and submit it with the required documents
Pay applicable fees and charges
Wait for the review and approval process
Receive import permit/license

Some products require additional inspections/clearances

Food/Agricultural Products (from Ministry of Agriculture):

Submit application with product details, import contract, company license
Health/phytosanitary certificates required
Fees are around $100 for most permits
Validity is usually 6 months to 1 year
Renewal requires a new application

Pharmaceuticals/Medical devices (from EFDA)

Provide product dossiers, test reports, packaging details
Manufacturing facility inspection may be required
Fees $300-$500 based on product type
Validity 5 years and renewable
Variation approval is needed for any changes

Other regulated products

Chemicals from Ministry of Trade
Vehicles from the Transport Authority
Electronics/Telecom equipment from the regulator

Customs clearance process

Official customs clearing agent submits import declaration
Provide all required documents
Pay duties/taxes applicable to products
Customs inspects documents and cargo (scanning or physical)
If no issues, goods are cleared and released from the port/airport
Controlled delivery of some sensitive cargo

Duties and taxes

Import duty (0% to 35% based on HS code)
Value Added Tax 15% (some exemptions)
Excise taxes (10% to 100% on some goods)
Withholding tax 3% (can be higher source countries)
Additional taxes/fees for certain products

Inspections and testing

Document review is minimum
Scanning inspections common
Physical inspection for random shipments or risk-based
Sampling and testing of food/agro shipments
Voluntary compliance programs for trusted traders

Port/Terminal details

Sea ports

Port of Djibouti – Main seaport, 8 berths, max 9.5m draft

Cut-off 7 days prior to vessel arrival

Somali Port of Berbera – Backup port for Ethiopia

4 berths, max 10.5m draft

Air cargo hubs

Bole International Airport (Addis Ababa)
- Largest air gateway, cold storage facilities
- Documentation cut-off 4 hours before arrival

Container operations

24/7 gate operations at sea ports
Generally, 4 hours free for container pickup
Chassis/trucks must be returned on the same day
On-dock depots for temporary storage
Third-party off-dock container yards

Export regulations

Get a detailed guide that provides an in-depth look into every aspect of the export process to ensure your goods are shipped efficiently and in compliance with all legal standards.

Regulations and restrictions

Products requiring export licenses/permits

Agricultural/Food Products:

Coffee, cereals, oilseeds – Export permit from Ministry of Agriculture
Meat, dairy, animal products – Permit from Ministry of Agriculture
Plants, seeds, vegetables – Phytosanitary certificate required

Mining/mineral products:

Gold, precious metals/stones – Export permit from Ministry of Mines
Industrial minerals, salt – Permit may be required
Wildlife/Forestry products:
Live animals, skins/hides – CITES permit from Wildlife Authority
Timber, charcoal – Permit from Forestry Commission

Artworks/Antiquities:

Historical/cultural artifacts – Export permit required

Weapons/Ammunition:

Any arms/munitions – Strict export controls by the Ministry of Defense

Restricted/Prohibited exports

Narcotics and psychotropic substances – Prohibited
Counterfeit goods and currency – Prohibited
Hazardous waste and toxic materials – Heavily restricted
Unprocessed hides and skins – Export quota system

Customs and documentation requirements

Standard documents needed

Commercial Invoice
Packing List
Bill of Lading/Airway Bill
Export Permit (for regulated goods)
Certificate of Origin
Other certificates as required (see below)

Export declaration

Submitted by exporter or customs clearing agent
Provide HS codes, descriptions, quantities, values
Pay any applicable duties/taxes
May require physical inspection by customs

Certificates for export

Phytosanitary Certificate (plants, agriculture)
Veterinary Health Certificate (livestock, animal products)
CITES Permit (endangered wildlife products)
Kimberley Process Certificate (rough diamonds)
Radiation Permit (for any radioactive materials)
Halal/Kosher Certificates (for certain foods)
GSP Form A (preferential duties in some countries)

Terminal/Port operations

Major ports for exports

Port of Djibouti – Main maritime gateway for exports

8 berths, drafts up to 9.5m

Somaliland Port of Berbera – Backup port option

4 berths, drafts up to 10.5m

Air cargo hubs

Bole International Airport (Addis Ababa)

Handles perishables, flowers, and other air exports

Port cut-off times

Djibouti – 5 days before vessel arrival
Berbera – 7 days before vessel ETA
Air cargo – 4 hours prior to flight

Container operations

24/7 gate operations
Generally, 4 hours of free time for truck loading
On-dock container depots
Off-dock container yards are also available

Cargo handling and fees

Container return and charges

Shipping lines charge detention fees after free time

Typically, $80-$120 per box per day

Demurrage charged by port/terminal

$15-$30 per day after 10 free days

Export duties and taxes

Most goods are exempt from duties/VAT on exports
Some exceptions like raw hides/skins, minerals
- May pay up to 10% export duty
Withholding tax of 3% on export proceeds
Municipality taxes may apply at the terminal

Other fees

Terminal Handling Charges of $100-$200 per container
Freight Forwarding/Customs Clearance fees
Extra charges for reefer containers, hazardous cargo, etc.

Expertise You Can Trust

End-to-end cross-border shipping to and from Ethiopia

Navigating Ethiopia’s intricate import and export processes can be a daunting task. Stringent customs requirements and complex licensing procedures demand precision. At Limark, our team of Ethiopia logistics experts understands these complexities, ensuring seamless, compliant cross-border solutions.

With an unparalleled understanding of the region’s regulations and a proven track record of 95% on-time delivery, we expertly navigate these challenges. Let Limark guarantee your shipments arrive on schedule, safeguarding your business operations and preserving your bottom line.

Get Expert Guidance

Contact our regional experts

Partner with experienced freight forwarders and customs brokers for seamless shipping to and from Ethiopia. Ensure full documentation compliance with the guidance and logistics services of our team.