In 2021, vehicles worth 1.19 billion US dollars were imported into Ethiopia. With a recent ban on the import of engine vehicles, you can now only import electric vehicles into Ethiopia.

The import of EVs into Ethiopia will be exempt from value-added tax, consumption tax, and surplus tax, and import tariffs will also be reduced.

So, it is a great opportunity for Ethiopians to import an electric car from abroad.

This blog post will cover the entire process to import an electric car to Ethiopia. We’ll cover everything from obtaining a vehicle import permit to the safe shipping of imported cars in Ethiopia.

So, without any further ado, let’s get started!

Top Countries From Where You Can Import an Electric Vehicle to Ethiopia

Before we get down to the procedures for electric car import to Ethiopia, let’s evaluate our options and see the top 4 countries where you can import an EV while living in Ethiopia.

1. China

If you’re looking to import a car in Ethiopia, China should be at the top of your list. Chinese cars in Ethiopia are becoming popular due to their affordable price and innovative technology. The recent EV revolution in China is another reason to consider electric cars from there.

2. United Arab Emirates

In 2022, Ethiopia imported cars worth over $84.7 million from the UAE. UAE has become the new auto hub, and many Japanese and Chinese companies have set up their manufacturing plants and dealerships there. You can import several EVs out of the UAE.

3. Japan

Japanese cars are undoubtedly the most reliable ones out there. Japanese brands like Nissan, Toyota, and Suzuki offer many plug-hybrid and purely electric vehicles. These EVs and PHEVs can become your best road buddies.

4. India

India offers a variety of car models to suit different budgets and preferences, from entry-level to mid-range and luxury vehicles. With many EV brands setting up their shops in India, it is a great opportunity for Ethiopians to import a car from India.

7 Easy Steps to Import an Electric Car to Ethiopia

Let’s break down the entire process of importing an electric car to Ethiopia in 7 easy steps.

1. Finding an EV Supplier and Choosing the Vehicle

The first step will be to choose your dream electric car and find a trustworthy car supplier in the country of origin. Always research the market before settling on a car and its supplier. Your dream EV is just a few clicks away with the right partner.

If you want to import an electric car from China to Ethiopia, GuangcaiAuto can help! We are a trusted and reliable Chinese auto import partner. We offer EVs from 60+ worldwide car brands at affordable prices with fast and low-cost shipping. Get in touch with our sales team now, and let us do all the heavy lifting on your behalf!

2. Preparation of Import Documents

The next step is to prepare and get a hold of a few documents before you begin the import process. Some documents required during pre-import procedures include:

• Commercial purchase invoice
• Bill of landing
• Certificate of title and registration
• Driver’s license of the purchaser
• International insurance policy certificate
• Letter of support (Optional)
• Vehicle import permit (Issued to the importer)
• Road Authority Transport and Communication Ministry permit (issued to the shipper)

Don’t worry! We’ll shortly shed light on these documents and how to obtain them in Ethiopia.

3. Regulatory Compliance in the Country of Origin

Each country has specific rules when it comes to EV import. Sometimes, vehicles must be registered with local authorities; at other times, your vehicle might need to be inspected.

For exact information, you can visit the official import and export ministry websites of your vehicle’s country of origin. If you’re looking to import a car from China, we’ve outlined the rules for car import from China in this blog post: How to Import Cars From China? 

4. Pre-Import Regulations in Ethiopia

You must comply with the following pre-import regulations in Ethiopia before importing a car:

• Obtain a Vehicle Import Permit: Only professional companies are allowed to import a car into Ethiopia. You would need the following things to get a vehicle import permit in Ethiopia:
  • Applicant ID
  • Name of your organization’s owner or manager
  • Proof of company ownership
• Vehicle Age Restriction: There is no vehicle age restriction in Ethiopia. However, you can only import left-hand vehicles into Ethiopia. See that you’ve modified your car accordingly.
• Inspection: Ethiopian authorities don’t require your car to pass any inspection.
• Ban on Conventional Cars Import: The Ethiopian Ministry of Transport and Logistics banned imports of non-electric vehicles, including cars with internal combustion engines.

5. Shipping and Logistics

Here are a few key details you need to know about shipping an electric car to Ethiopia:

• Best shipping method: The best method to ship a car to Ethiopia is via sea because air shipping might cost you more than the cost of the car itself.
• Cost of shipping: Usually, it costs between $1,000 and $2,500 to ship a car to Ethiopia via sea. It can differ based on country of origin, destination port, and shipping method.
• Best port to import a car to Ethiopia: Shipping a car to Djibouti port in Ethiopia will cost you the least. But you can also check out Mojo dry port or other ports based on your residence.
• Choosing the shipping partner: Choosing the right logistics company is crucial for car import. A quality partner ensures that your EV arrives safely within the given timeframe.
• Shipping time: Usually, it takes 20-35 days for your car to arrive in Ethiopia.

6. Paying Import duty in Ethiopia

You’ll need to pay import duties and other taxes in Ethiopia before receiving your car. The Ethiopian Ministry of Finance has slashed import duties on electric cars, buses, and trucks.

Import duties and taxes like VAT and consumption tax will be removed for imported EVs. The import tariff on EV parts is reduced to 5%, and the tariff on complete EV imports is just 15%.

Here’s the summary of the new tax structure to import an EV into Ethiopia:

• Import tariff: 15%
• Surplus tax: 0%
• Value Added Tax: 0%
• Withholding tax: 3%

Here’s a summary of old tax rates to import a car to Ethiopia:

• Custom duty: 35%
• Excise tax: Up to 100%
• Surplus tax: 10%
• Value Added Tax: 15%
• Withholding tax: 3%

If you’re importing a car from China, read our detailed blog post to know all the costs associated with importing a car from China: How Much Does it Cost to Import a Car From China?

7. Imported Car Registration in Ethiopia

The last step in importing a car to Ethiopia is registering it with the local authorities. Here’s how the registration process goes:

• Submit a request: Initiate the registration process by submitting a formal request to the Ethiopian Revenue and Customs Authority (ERCA).
• Turn in the paperwork: Provide the necessary documentation, including the import permit, customs clearance certificate, bill of lading, and other relevant papers.
• Documents verification: Allow ERCA to verify the authenticity and completeness of the submitted documents.
• Pay registration fees: Settle the required registration fees. You might also have to pay for the vehicle insurance at this stage.
• Issuance of plates: Upon completing the previous steps, obtain the vehicle’s license plates and registration certificate.

Final Word: How to Import an electric Car to Ethiopia?

So, there you have it. How to import an electric car to Ethiopia in 2024 in 7 easy steps! All you need to do is choose an EV, find a shipping partner, comply with regulations, ship your vehicle, pay reduced duties, and register it with local authorities, and you’re good to go.

If you’re looking towards China to import your next EV, you can choose GuangcaiAuto. We supply high-quality, thoroughly inspected new and used EVs from 60+ worldwide brands to Ethiopia.

We’re here to help you as we have helped thousands of clients globally import cars from China. All you have to do is visit our website and choose your favorite car.

And that’s it. Our team will take care of the rest for you.

Still confused about the process of importing EVs to Ethiopia?

Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered. Reach out to us with your queries, and we’ll try to respond to each and every one of them.

For more advice on importing EVs from China to Ethiopia, please explore our blog or contact our customer support team.