Single window valuation system cargo tracking

4 How to export goods from Ethiopia – 
step by step
The procedure for exporting commercial goods from Ethiopia 
mirrors the one for importing, and this section provides an overview 
(a summary of steps is shown in Figure 2). Further details are 
provided in Part II of this customs guide. Exporters can also obtain 
additional information from ERCA (contacts given above) and/or use 
the services of a clearing agent to facilitate exports.

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1. Obtain an export license
4. Obtain export permit (for goods restricted for export only)
5. Prepare customs declaration
6. Submit customs declaration
9. Submit clearance declaration to NBE
7. Obtain export customs clearance and ship goods
8. Pay service charges and receive final export customs decla-
ration
2. Arrange payment issues
3. Collect documents
Figure 2: How to export goods from Ethiopia – 
summary of steps

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1. Obtain export license
The first step to export a good is to obtain an export license. For 
example, a manufacturing license can also serve as an export 
license for output (finished goods) of a manufacturing company.
25
Licenses are issued by the concerned government offices against 
the submission of a completed application form
26
along with the 
following documents:
• A copy of the Tax Identification Number (TIN);
• A copy of the Memorandum of Association and Articles of 
Association for the company;
• A contractual agreement of office rent or office building plan;
• A document evidencing the capital allocated for the 
commercial activity;
• Two passport size photographs taken within the last six 
months;
• If the applicant is a foreign investor, the investment and 
residence
• permits; and
• A valid business registration certificate.
Currently, export licenses are issued through a manual process 
which requires the applicant to visit the government offices in 
person.
25 According to Articles 21-23 of the Commercial Registration and Business Licensing Proc- la-
mation No. 980/2016, any person wanting to export goods into Ethiopia for commercial pur-
poses must obtain an export license from the Ministry of Trade. In addition, a person engaged 
in importing does not need a wholesaler license and might do retail but needs permission in 
accordance with the grounds to be provided in a future Council of Ministers regulation. The 
Proclamation is available online from the MoT website: http://www.mot. gov.et/trade-procla-
mations. In addition, some other licenses also entail the authorization to export.
26 Application forms can be found on the MoT website, http://www.mot.gov.et/forms, and are 
available from MoT offices.

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27 See step 5 below and section 5 of this guide for details on how to complete and submit a 
declaration