Export guide · Ethiopia

Exporting fresh produce from Ethiopia

Checked October 2026. Procedures and fees change - always confirm with the agency before you rely on them.

All countries · Open the app · Free pesticide check

In Ethiopia the Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA) is the plant health regulator. It moved phytosanitary certificates online (ePhyto) in late 2025.

1. One-time registrations (do these first)

Business licence and TIN
Hold a valid business licence for export and a TIN.
Customs enrolment
Enrol with the Ethiopian Customs Commission, and on the electronic single window where it applies to your goods. www.ecc.gov.et
Ethiopian Agricultural Authority
Contact the EAA before your first export to set up your ePhyto applications and inspections.
REX number for the EU
For the EU, register as a REX exporter with your customs authority so you can write the statement on origin on your invoice. Below EUR 6,000 per shipment, any exporter can make the statement without REX registration.
EHPEA membership (optional)
The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association represents flower, fruit and vegetable exporters and runs its own code of practice. ehpea.org

2. For every shipment

Inspection and phytosanitary certificate
Apply to the EAA with your export documents (invoice, packing list, contract), pay the fee, and present the consignment for inspection. The ePhyto system launched in October 2025 cuts certification from days to hours.
Customs declaration
Lodge the export declaration with the Customs Commission with the invoice, packing list, contract, permits and phytosanitary certificate.
Origin and commercial documents
Statement on origin (REX) for the EU, plus the air waybill or bill of lading.

3. Crop rules

Bananas

From 2026 the Ministry of Agriculture is tightening export quality and plant-health rules for bananas: production clusters get pre-production checks, disease control and phytosanitary inspection.

Peppers, citrus, peaches, pomegranates to the EU

Peppers (Capsicum), citrus other than lemons and limes, peaches and pomegranates going to the EU must meet special rules for false codling moth: a pest-free area or place of production, or a registered production site with an approved systems approach or treatment. The details go on the phytosanitary certificate - agree the option with your plant health agency before the season.

Buyer certifications

Not required by government, but most buyers ask for them.

GLOBALG.A.P. is what most EU supermarket buyers ask for; flower exporters also use the EHPEA code of practice.

We could not confirm from an official Ethiopian source whether exporters must register with the EAA first, or the current fees and forms. Ask the EAA before you apply.

Who does what

For	Agency	What they do
Phytosanitary certificate	Ethiopian Agricultural Authority (EAA)	Plant health regulator. Ethiopia launched electronic phytosanitary certificates (ePhyto) for exports in November 2025.
Pesticide registration	Ethiopian Agricultural Authority / Ministry of Agriculture	Pesticides are registered under the Pesticide Registration and Control Proclamation No. 674/2010. Check a product is registered before use.
Exporter licence / support	Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA)	Industry association for flower, fruit and vegetable exporters; runs its own code of practice.
Customs and origin	Ethiopian Customs Commission	Customs clearance.

Selling to the EU

Ethiopia sells to the EU duty-free under Everything But Arms (EBA). Proof of origin is a statement on origin made by an exporter registered in the REX system.

Pesticides: a product registered in Ethiopia can still be banned or limited in your export market. Check every product in the free checker before you spray, and confirm residues with an accredited lab before shipping.

Sources

Something wrong or out of date? Tell us.