Single window valuation system cargo tracking

19.4 Other Obligations Related to Customs Operations
19.4.1 Obligation to Provide Information
Any person who has information about untaxed or under taxed 
goods in contravention of customs law or about prohibited, 
restricted, or contraband goods is required to immediately inform 
the nearest customs office or law enforcement body. ERCA will 
not disclose information supplied or the identity of the informant. 
Persons who provide information and support to ERCA or other law 
enforcement bodies will be rewarded in accordance with directives 
issued by the Ministry, if it leads to seizure of the goods.

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ETHIOPIAN CUSTOMS GUIDE -
MARCH 2017
154
19.4.2 Retaining Information
A person responsible to pay duties and taxes and, thus, possessing 
any documents or information necessary for customs formalities 
is required to retain them for a period of five years. The period is 
counted from the day on which:
• Goods imported for home use are released for free circulation 
upon the completion of customs formalities;
• A goods declaration is accepted for export goods; or
• Customs formalities are completed in case of goods imported 
temporarily on duty free basis.

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Glossary of terms
Abandoned goods: Goods that are not collected by their 
owner within the period prescribed by law completing customs 
procedures.
Ad-valorem duties and taxes: Duties and taxes which are calculated 
on the basis of value.
Authorized Economic Operator: an operator involved in 
international trade that has been pre-approved by a national 
customs administration as complying with supply chain security 
standards and customs requirements. A model program that many 
customs administrations are pursuing as a means to both secure and 
facilitate global trade, while at the same time providing incentives 
that benefit both Customs and traders that have decided to work 
in partnership. In Ethiopia, currently more than 30 companies are 
authorized economic operators.