8.4.1 Unaccompanied Baggage
Unaccompanied baggage, i.e. baggage arriving or leaving before or
after the traveler, can be cleared under the procedure applicable
to accompanied baggage or under another simplified customs
procedure. Thus, according to Article 32(2) of the Customs
Proclamation, any authorized person
59
may present unaccompanied
baggage for clearance on behalf of the traveler.
8.4.2 Non-commercial Goods and Personal Effects
Non-commercial goods are goods intended for the personal or
family use of the consignee or persons carrying them or that are
clearly intended as gifts. Personal effects are articles that a traveler
may require for personal use. The aggregate value or quantity of
non-commercial goods or personal effects may not exceed the
amounts laid down in Ministry directives.
Flat-rate duties and taxes are applied to non-commercial goods
imported or exported by travelers.
60
The flat rate is applied on the
goods in excess of the aggregate value or quantity prescribed by
directive.
8.4.3 Transit Travelers
Transit travelers not leaving the transit area are not required to pass
through any customs control. However, ERCA may maintain general
surveillance of transit areas and take any action necessary when a
customs offence is suspected.
ETHIOPIAN CUSTOMS GUIDE -
MARCH 2017
79
61 RKC, Specific Annex J, Chapter 2.
62 WCO, Glossary of International Customs Terms, 2011.
63 Regulatory agencies and regulated import and export items are listed in section 1.3 of this
guide.
8.5 Postal parcels
The movement of goods by post has been one of the most widely
used methods to import or export small items like sample, gifts, etc.
According to the Customs Proclamation, postal parcels imported
and exported thus are subject to customs control. The RKC provides
for specific customs procedures in respect of postal items.
61
According to the Acts of the Universal Postal Union certain letter-
post items are required to be accompanied by a customs declaration
form CN22/CN23 as appropriate.
62
Any authorized postal services provider must report to the customs
office by means of a manifest or in any other approved manner all
goods arriving or departing through the postal system and to present
such goods to a customs officer for clearance.
Any form completed by the sender, label affixed or supporting
documents produced in respect of goods imported or to be
exported through the postal system are considered as an acceptable
declaration for the purpose of customs formalities provided that:
a) the goods have a value not exceeding the value determined
by ERCA;
b) import or export does not require certification by a
regulatory agency;
63
and
c) the imported goods need not be placed under a different
procedure other than the customs procedure applicable to
goods for home use
If goods imported or to be exported through the postal system do
not meet all of these three conditions, a separate goods declaration
is required.
ETHIOPIAN CUSTOMS GUIDE -
MARCH 2017
80
The collection of duties and taxes for goods imported and exported
through the postal system may be delegated by ERCA to postal
service providers.
|