5.4 Forms and Preparation of Goods Declaration The declaration can either be made in writing, electronically,
orally, or by bodily action (the latter two are usually reserved for
travelers). Bodily action is when a traveler passes either through the
green or red channel, whereby the former denotes that no taxable
good is carried. A traveler’s verbal declaration to a customs officer
is accepted as an oral declaration. However, when the good has
a commercial nature, a written or electronic declaration must be
made.
Traders can complete and register electronic declarations into
ERCA’s customs management system either from their own
computers (remote Direct Trader Input, DTI) or at the ERCA offices
(bureau DTI). The process for preparing goods declarations is as
follows:
a) Collect the necessary documents (invoice, packing list,
certificate of origin, transportation document, bank permit, etc.;
see next section);
b) Complete and register electronic declaration into ERCA’s
customs management system (either through remote DTI or
bureau DTI);
c) Review the registered declaration data and produce assessment
notice;
ETHIOPIAN CUSTOMS GUIDE -
MARCH 2017
38
31 The forms can be found at the authority’s website at: http://www.erca.gov.et/images/Doc-
uments/Declaration_Forms/Other_Forms/im4.pdf, http://www.erca.gov.et/images/Documents/
Declaration_Forms/Other_Forms/ex1.pdf. Please note the authorization of the Authority
is necessary to possess and distribute customs forms as per Article 178(2) of the Customs
Proclamation.
d) Prepare Cash Payment Order, if tax is payable;
e) Pay duties and taxes; and
f) Submit the declaration to customs to accomplish the customs
procedures.
Additionally, the submission of a hard copy of the original
declaration and supporting documents is at present still required.
There are nine types of written and electronic declaration forms that
can be produced from ERCA’s customs management system. These
are:
• EX-1 for outright export of goods; EX-2 for temporary export of
goods; EX-3 for re-exportation of goods;
• IM-4 for home consumption of goods;
• IM-5 for temporary importation of goods;
• IM-6 for re-importation of goods;
• IM-7/EX-7 for import warehouse/for partial exportation of
domestic products from ideal export warehouse;
• IM-8/EX-8 for transit of import or export of goods; and
• IM-9/EX-9 for other import and export goods.
Annex 1 shows a sample of a declaration form (IM-4). Please note
the boxes to be completed by the declarant.
Blank declaration forms can be downloaded from ERCA’s website.
31
They are also included in customs management system and can be
obtained from customs offices.