Ethiopia Import Procedure

Total Steps: 8
Documents (Approx): 14
Bodies / Agencies:
  • Ministry of Agriculture
  • Ministry of Trade and Industry
  • Phytosanitary Service
  • Customs Department

  1. Obtain Certificate of Competency (CoC)

    Body in charge: Ministry of Agriculture, Plant Variety Release, Protection and Seed Quality Control Directorate (www.moa.gov.et)
    Documents: Application form, Seed expert, Storage facilities, Store map/contract, Expert CV, Clerk, Working Capital
    Cost: ETB 100 annually | Time: 3–5 days

  2. Obtain Trade License for Importing Seed

    Body in charge: Ministry of Trade and Industry (fdremoti@gmail.com, www.moti.gov.et)
    Documents: Based on CoC given by the MoA
    Cost: Nil | Time: 2 days

  3. Complete the Importer Application Form

    Body in charge: Ministry of Agriculture, Plant Health and Product Quality Control Directorate
    Documents: Application Form, Proforma Invoice, Valid License, Certificate of Competency, Registered variety in national list, ISTA certificate (optional)
    Cost: Nil | Time: 1 hour

  4. Contact Clearing Agent

    Body in charge: Ethiopia Revenue Authority (ERA)
    Documents: ERA registered clearing agent list
    Cost: Nil | Time: N/A

  5. Scan Pre-Clearance Documents to Agent

    Body in charge: Importing Company
    Documents: CoC, Trade License, Importer Application form, Import permit

  6. Application for Inspection of Imported Seed

    Body in charge: Ministry of Agriculture, Plant Variety Release, Protection and Seed Quality Control Directorate
    Documents: Application form, Import permit, Phytosanitary Certificate, Invoice, Bill of lading, Certificate of origin, Sample collection
    Cost: ETB 100 (application), ETB 20 (germination), ETB 20 (sample), ETB 20 (purity)
    Time: 1 hour for lab test | Results: ~7 days (crop-dependent)

  7. Document & Integrity Inspection and Import Authorisation

    Body in charge: Ministry of Agriculture, Plant Health and Product Quality Control Directorate
    Documents: Application form, Import permit, Phytosanitary Certificate, Invoice, Bill of lading, Certificate of origin, Physical inspection
    Cost: Max ETB 119 | Time: 2 hours

  8. Physical Release of Consignment for Customs

    Body in charge: Customs Commission (hocrecordopr@gmail.com, www.ecc.gov.et)
    Documents: Release import authorisation letter
    Cost: Nil | Time: 1 day