What to bring
Normal personal belongings, phones, laptops and cameras are fine. Drones, binoculars and satellite phones need prior permission and are often held at the airport if you arrive without it. Antiques and religious objects need an export permit to leave the country.
Bring freely
Clothes, personal items, one phone, laptop and camera for personal use
What to knowNo declaration needed for normal travel quantities
Bring freely (duty-free, adults)
Up to 200 cigarettes (or 100 cigars or 250 g tobacco), 2 L of alcohol, 0.5 L of perfume
What to knowAmounts reported by travel sources; confirm with customs
Declare
Foreign cash above USD 10,000
What to knowKeep the form to take money back out
Declare
Multiple new devices, gifts or goods that look commercial
What to knowCustoms may charge duty; personal vs commercial use is the officer's judgement
Bring with care
Prescription medicines
What to knowOriginal packaging, a copy of the prescription and a doctor's letter for controlled medicines
Permission needed
Drones
What to knowNeed an import permit from the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority before arrival; otherwise held at customs
Permission needed
Binoculars, satellite phones, professional radio equipment
What to knowCan be held without prior permission; leave at home if not essential
Permission needed
Professional film or broadcast kit
What to knowNeeds a filming permit (see Photography, filming and local rules)
Export permit
Antiques, old crosses, manuscripts, religious paintings, old Bibles
What to knowNeed a certificate from the Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage
Export limits
Animal skins, hides, ivory, wildlife products
What to knowRestricted or banned; don't buy them
Export limits
Coffee over 2 kg
What to knowNeeds authorisation; buy sealed retail packs and keep receipts
| Item | Category | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes, personal items, one phone, laptop and camera for personal use | Bring freely | No declaration needed for normal travel quantities |
| Up to 200 cigarettes (or 100 cigars or 250 g tobacco), 2 L of alcohol, 0.5 L of perfume | Bring freely (duty-free, adults) | Amounts reported by travel sources; confirm with customs |
| Foreign cash above USD 10,000 | Declare | Keep the form to take money back out |
| Multiple new devices, gifts or goods that look commercial | Declare | Customs may charge duty; personal vs commercial use is the officer's judgement |
| Prescription medicines | Bring with care | Original packaging, a copy of the prescription and a doctor's letter for controlled medicines |
| Drones | Permission needed | Need an import permit from the Ethiopian Civil Aviation Authority before arrival; otherwise held at customs |
| Binoculars, satellite phones, professional radio equipment | Permission needed | Can be held without prior permission; leave at home if not essential |
| Professional film or broadcast kit | Permission needed | Needs a filming permit (see Photography, filming and local rules) |
| Antiques, old crosses, manuscripts, religious paintings, old Bibles | Export permit | Need a certificate from the Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage |
| Animal skins, hides, ivory, wildlife products | Export limits | Restricted or banned; don't buy them |
| Coffee over 2 kg | Export limits | Needs authorisation; buy sealed retail packs and keep receipts |
Good to know
- Buy from established shops and ask for a receipt that describes the item as new or a replica.
- For anything that looks old, ask the shop whether it needs an export certificate before you pay.
- Also check what your home country allows: many countries restrict meat, seeds, plants and animal products.