After arriving in Ethiopia, we ran into an interesting but disappointing setback at the Ethiopian Customs Office at Bole Addis Ababa International Airport.
A Customs Mess In Addis Ababa Airport
Ethiopia is still a developing nation and while the country has enviably advanced in many ways, including with its flag carrier Ethiopian Airlines (100% government-owned and the most profitable carrier in Africa), its customs policies strike me as very third-world.
Customs in Ethiopia are managed by the Ethiopian Revenues and Customs Authority (ERCA), which oversees the movement of goods and collects duties. In theory, you must declare all electronic items, including computers, tablets, and cell phones.
Here, we were trying to bring in a professional video camera, tripod, and projector for a church we were visiting as part of the trip.
We had the necessary paperwork…the original commercial invoice, packing list, and certificate of origin. We also had a letter from our organization stating the products would be used for non-profit church work and also an accompanying translation in Amharic. We also had our local contact on speed dial, ready to assist with any translation issues.
But ERCA wanted to collect a customs duty and excise tax on the goods that exceeded their value!
As we stood in the customs area, we noticed customs officers opening suitcases and a lot of arguing going on. Some cases appeared more blatant than others: one person had about a dozen sealed iPhone boxes under their clothes. Another had about 60 Nike shirts, each individually wrapped. Yeah, those are probably not for personal consumption…
But then there were other cases, like a guy who had a portable ultrasound machine.
They were giving him a hard time about it…I mean, whatever the context, isn’t a good thing to be bringing this sort of medical equipment into a country in which a majority of people in Ethiopia are uninsured when it comes to health insurance?
I’d say this whole incident is another reason why I hate tariffs…whether they be imposed by the United States or any other nation.
It is what it is…we don’t bribe and we don’t fudge invoices, but it seems highly punitive to pocket thousands of USD so that a church can have equipment to livestream its services and conferences…
We left the product in customs and let our local partner deal with. Yes, I get that sometimes the cost of doing business means paying these big duties…but it seems like criminal robbery and helps to explain (without attacking Trump) why I am an advocate for free trade.
This is part of my Ethiopia trip report.
@ Matthew — Sadly, you should have provided a “tip”.
I ran into the same issue there and tried that. Much to my suprise they wouldn’t take it. 95% of the time I have no issue. But the other 5% is a real bitch. They tax it at 100% or more of it’s new value. They’ll look it up on the Internet. They have you by the short hairs and it’s either their way or you lose the equipment. VERY frustrating.
Yup, sadly, this is what Egypt tried to do to me at CAI. Unfortunately, such corruption can happen anywhere. It is a scourge, everywhere.
As trump would say, please bring a small *grift*.
And as long as you call it a mere ‘gratuity,’ the Supreme Court will literally allow it (as long as the money or in-kind is going to Republicans). Paying off non-Trump supporters/politicians is still a huge no-no. See, Snyder v. United States (2024). ‘Be there, will be wild.’
And yet people here in the comments…yes, you 1990…continue to defend African/third world culture.
This is the reason that they will always be “developing” and will never actually develop.
But it’s much easier to scream RACISM than it is to hold people/cultures accountable for their corruption and dysfunction.
Gee Andrew, trump said without his tariffs we are a third world nation! No racism here just relating our new truths.
@Andrew H: And now my company is paying a 95% tariff on steel imports from China right here in the USA…it’s just as bad.
Buy American steel, problem solved, but I know you are anti American in many ways so probably not an option you’d prefer.
I don’t prefer to pay double for the same thing. You know, capitalism? You know, comparative advantage?
As more folks get poorer and poorer under this dotard regime, I hope you will finally wake up one day and see there is nothing conservative and nothing patriotic about Trump or his self-serving maggots.
Ask the farmers and the auto workers…but you don’t give a crap about them. You only care about number one and your artificially inflated stock portfolio. Just wait. You’ll see.
You don’t care about the American worker or have to think about managing a company that is now fighting to survive becuase of tariffs that the POTUS should not even have the authority to impose…you’re a selfish, horrible person basking in your ignorance about other people and lands and I hold you in utter contempt.
Imagine comparing the slave labor practices of the Chinese to those in the US.
Do you even hear yourself?
Have you been to manufacturing facilities in China? I have…and this “slave labor” does not exist.
Stop drinking the KoolAid: your ignorance is alarming.
Free trade makes Americans wealthier.
Damn, I’d say someone pissed in your Cheerios this morning but I believe you are in some 3rd world sh#thole and I doubt they have milk or cereal.
And yes, money is important to everyone, it allows you to fly around the world for fun. But as I said yesterday, thanks for showing your true colors and the hatred you have in your heart for those who you disagree with politically.
Kind of strange for a guy who’s supposed to be “religious”, whatever that means. But I like this side of you, shows the phrase lunatic liberals makes sense.
Buy American!
@Dave, don’t mistake hatred for disdain. There’s a difference. I don’t think you’re able to defend any of your positions, hence the lack of respect. You bloviate nonsense, but really don’t ever address what I challenge you with. Doesn’t mean I hate you…you’re an image bearer of God too…
I couldn’t agree more.
But Trump supporters do not understand that, nor do they want the world to change. That would require them to evolve and educate themselves which requires effort and work (neither of which they excel at).
What I find so amusing is the idea that the USA can ‘tariff’ it’s way into returning jobs and industries back to the USA. Like these MAGA faithful are going to take a job from a robot, at $9 an hour. It’s hysterical. You can’t make this stuff up….it just goes to show how stupid most Americans truly are.
I think the Supreme Court is getting ready to reverse this. The level of power this administration is trying to harness in the executive branch is stunning. If you like Trump and think this is good, just imagine when we have a President Ocasio Cortez or Omar. They will use the same powers to turn this country into something we won’t recognize.
I voted for Trump all 3 times. Harris was worse. This guy had the chance to be one of the best presidents in my lifetime. But his narcissism and reflexive behavior is out of control. The guy has zero self control or discipline. And as Matthew said his right hand people are worse. DOGE was a scam. What happened to all that money and savings?
What country are you buying the steel from?
What reciprocal tariffs do they impose on US made goods?
Can you buy US steel?
And trying to equate tariffs with shakedowns at customs makes for a foolish argument.
Yes, I am equating tarrifs with shakedowns at customs. They are the same thing.
“ “People that are against tariffs are FOOLS! We are now the richest, most respected country in the world, with almost no inflation and a record stock market price,” Trump wrote in a Truth Social post. “A dividend of at least $2000 a person (not including high-income people!) will be paid to everyone,” he added.”
Since Trump announced his “Liberation Day” tariffs in April, tariff revenues have climbed sharply from $23.9 billion in May to $28 billion in June and $29 billion in July. Total duty revenue reached $215.2 billion in fiscal year 2025, which ended Sept. 30, according to the Treasury Department’s “Customs and Certain Excise Taxes” report.
So far in fiscal year 2026, which began on Oct. 1, the U.S. has collected $35.9 billion.
WINNING, day after day, week after week while TDS is destroying you.
Just wait until the (conservative) Supreme Court properly rules that the POTUS does not have the power to levy tariffs and everything has to be refunded. It’s shameful Trump is trying to influence their impending ruling by floating this dividend he also has no authority to offer.
And did we not learn anything from the pandemic? Giving people money like that fuels inflation. US debt has climbed to an all-time high under Trump. Why not use tariff revenue to pay down the national debt? There were already tax cuts that we cannot afford…
And to be clear, you’re a low-IQ sycophant…spare me the TDS drivel. I praise Trump for putting an end to several conflicts around the globe and if the peace holds in Gaza, he should get a Nobel Peace Prize. But he’s a pedophile too…and a liar…and a cheat. I don’t like those people and it’s hardly some sort of derangement syndrome for a conservative not to like wolves like Trump and his inner circle.
So now you are accusing the President of the United States of being a pedo, wow. TDS has destroyed your brain.
As for calling me a low IQ individual, you want to put $100,000 on that? Let’s figure out your definition of that number, do the test and see how wrong you are. I’m definitely up for the challenge and we both have lawyers that can hash out the details.
You just keep getting angrier and angrier towards those who disagree with you. When you get home from whatever sh#thole you are in, relax, get the wife to blow you and think about how hateful you have become lately. I doubt whatever “church” you help would be proud of your recent words.
Trump OWNS you!
The files will come out, just like the birthday card did. The economy will tank, as it is already doing. Then you’ll see the light, hopefully. Then you’ll ask for forgiveness for supporting such a cancer on the Republican party and I will forgive you.
The “low IQ” statement stems from your perplexing, almost exuberant ignorance of East Asia. Why don’t you get your butt out of mommy’s basement and actually see the world that you derisively call a sh*thole?
Honestly, I’m around people who disagree with me all day. That’s not the problem and that is not what bothers me about you. The problem is making up lies.
It’s not me who Trump owns…it’s just a shame he owns you.
Andrew, you’ve shared your feelings on “Afircan/third world culture,” now enlighten us on Western U.S. culture…the wealthiest country on the planet with 45 million in need food stamps to survive. I’ve lost count of how many senior Veterans I’ve interviewed who’ve to choose between food and their prescription medication.
Yep, was just thinking about this.
I won’t even argue against the “s-hole” description, but talk about throwing stones from a glass house…
There is a reason why the department of interior lets you know when you visit a national park not to feed the animals – they will become accustomed to it and will not learn how to feed themselves
Let’s start with the government handout programs that keep people beholden to the government for multiple generations.
I’ve seen several morbidly obese young women crying on TV about not having enough food.
She also probably gets a housing allowance (Section 8) and probably even gets child care assistance.
Then we can move on to the billions spent on the 10+M economic migrants that entered into the country and diverted funds from American citizens.
Fortunately that problem is being aggressively corrected.
But the bigger of generational government dependence remains.
LBJ knew what he was doing when he started the “Great Society.”
“Keep your government hands off my Medicare”
Apparently, I live ‘rent free’ in Andrew H.’s head. Check the receipts. You brought me up before I said anything. Thank you for the free attention. Attention is currency in this economy.
Corruption is not an Africa-problem; it’s a human problem. Sadly, it’s becoming normalized in the USA, these days, namely because we have a criminal President, and a lack of accountability.
Those of you who attempt overt or thinly-veiled racism, xenophobia, or supremacist bigotry on here are wrong, and you will be called out by folks like myself. Say what you wanna say, lie if you must, but you will not censor the rest of us sane-folk.
You called the Egyptians corrupt.
Sounds Islamophobic to me.
Not Islamophobic. Copts can be corrupt too.
Fella, its not just African countries. A lot of people have their hand out in some form or another. But if you need to say, Black, Black, Black, by all means do so.
Oh by the way, that big blue ink blotch on the bag’s luggage tag is a signal from the people xraying bags, before they go on the belt, to customs that your bag’s contents need additional screening.
great comment, unfortunately this comments section is only for political commentary! lol
I’ve delt with this issue before and advise against giving a “tip” or “gift” in the open at the airport. Ethiopian culture (never colonized) is big on saving face and the wrong person can turn your entire trip upside down. The local handler should make sure that airport customs are given documents in advance before the equipment arrives.
That cultural aspect you mention is a fascinating one and will be the subject of a future blog post in this series.
These F’s are still scamming Americans saying their kids are “starving” like Starvin Marvin in South Park, way back in season 1.
Meanwhile Chuckles Schumer is starving poor black kids here at home. Play 3rd world games, get 3rd world prizes, you’ll live.
Time for Phase 2! Introducing the South Park Sucks Now Cryptocurrency Coin… this used to be a great town until all the politics ruined everything… get this new digital meme token, today!
No @ Dave Edwards, its Trump and the Senate Republicans who are starving those children. Lay blame where it actually belongs; with those in charge of the Executive and Legislative branches.
Welcome to the 3rd world. No bribe, no luck. Unfortunately, that’s how most countries work.
Kudos to you for working with a church. Am I understanding that this was equipment you planned to leave? How did the local partner resolve it?
I tend to agree with you re: tariffs and free trade. But isn’t the reality that there are many countries that want products in the US, but not vice versa? How do you resolve that issue? Also, as I know first hand, being a public safety official for a county bordering DC, how dependent the US was on many goods manufactured in other countries; countries that do not want US goods imported.
Correct, we planned to leave it.
Our local partners eventually got hte product out after dickering over the value of it and paying a lower, but still substantial, duty.
The problem with tariffs is that they are not reciprocal…look at Brazil and Switzerland as two examples.
We haven’t no ideas that Ethiopia’s custom still carries African poor mindset, no matter how Ethiopia developed it images or despite Ethiopia’s airline dominant East Africa air travel, yet Ethiopia’s custom will still robbery your possessions and whatever the custom collected from travelers will remain in custom’s pockets not transparent to country’s infrastructure. It’s African poor mindset, African false narrative, acts uncivilized and we will not run own affairs efficiently. Our continent needs 400 years more from western nations.
Now they are charging local business according to the ” market study ” and charging extra tax. For example if a pen costs x and if the market study shows x + 5, you are taxed on the extra 5 times the amount sold. There is no free market,competition. Who did the study ? God knows. They are even taxing business that are in loss. And the revenue authority is very corrupt and filled with political stooges. So beware.
Hello All,
Seeing the comments, makes me wonder if any one visiting should first familiarize her/himself first with the law of the land/customs regarding clearance or hire a customs clearance agent with a small fee, when bringing equipment. Matthew, you could have declared and cleared your equipment to ERCA as “temporarily import” with reasonable deposit amount as a guarantee, for 3 months long usually, and you’ll be refunded the amount at the time of your exit by presenting the equipment to the ERCA at the point of exit.
But it wasn’t a temporary import.