Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Report - Addis Ababa - Ethiopia - 3-22-2019
Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards Report - Addis Ababa - Ethiopia - 3-22-2019
Date: 3/22/2019
GAIN Report Number: ET1830
Ethiopia
Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards
Report
FAIRS Export Certificate Report
Approved By:
Rachel Bickford
Prepared By:
FAS Addis Ababa
Report Highlights:
This report summarizes the list of major export certificates, documentations and other regulatory
requirements to export food and agricultural products to Ethiopia. The report is organized using
information obtained from publicly available sources published online as well as from industry contacts.
Post strongly suggests this report be read with the FAIRS Country Report for a complete insight on
Ethiopia’s import requirements, regulations, and standards.
Introduction
The list of major export certificates required to export food and agricultural products into Ethiopia
comprise: certificate of conformity, health certificate, phytosanitary certificate, veterinary certificate,
certificate of origin, certificate of free sale, and certificate of irradiation. Likewise, a registration
certificate is required for food products including infant formula (milk) and food supplements.
Furthermore, documents such as packing list, customs declaration, commercial invoice, and bill of
lading should always accompany the export consignment. Other certification and documentation
requirements depend on the type, nature of the food product and vulnerability of end users of the
product.
Ethiopia’s food and agricultural products import regulatory authorities have a redundant mandate and
often times lack synchronization resulting in bureaucratic hurdles and delays in inspection and customs
clearance of goods. Ethiopian Food and Drug Authority (EFDA), under the Ministry of Health, is the
key regulatory agency for food products. While, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Resources
(MoALR) as well as EFDA regulates import products of plant and plant materials as well as livestock
and livestock genetic products. On the other hand, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) has also a
regulatory oversight on food and agricultural products subjected to mandatory Ethiopian standards
through a pre-shipment verification of conformity program. The overall purpose of Ethiopia’s regulatory
requirements on import products is to ensure food safety, quality, public health, plant/animal health,
traceability and environmental protection.
Disclaimer
This report is prepared by the USDA/ Foreign Agricultural Service, Office of Agricultural Affairs Addis
Ababa for U.S. exporters of food and agricultural commodities. While every possible care was taken in
the preparation of this report, information provided may not be completely accurate either because
policies/regulations/directives have changed since its preparation, or because clear and consistent
information was not available. Post highly recommends that U.S. exporters verify the full set of import
requirements with their foreign customers, who are usually best equipped to research such matters with
local authorities, before any products are shipped.
2
Requ
estin
g
Minis
Title of Purp try
Products Attestation Required on Certificate
Certificate ose (Reg
ulato
ry
Agen
cy)
Min
istry
of
Tra
Quali de
ty, and
Food and food Indu
agricultur safet stry
al y, (Mo
products publi TI)
subjected Certificate of Inspected product is found to be in compliance c Ethi
to Conformity with the requirements of the applicable Ethiopian healt opia
Compulso (COC) standards or equivalent. h, n
ry and Foo
Ethiopian envir d
Standards onme and
(CES) ntal Dru
prote g
ction. Aut
hori
ty
(EF
DA)
3
Requ
estin
g
Minis
Title of Purp try
Products Attestation Required on Certificate
Certificate ose (Reg
ulato
ry
Agen
cy)
Minis
try of
Plant materials are free from diseases and pests; Agric
and plant parts are free from soil. ulture
Plant and Specific attestation for seeds may include Plant and
Phytosanitary
plant certification that the seeds are heat-treated using Healt Lives
Certificate
products appropriate procedures/standards and found free h tock
from seed borne/seed transmitted diseases and Reso
other pests as well free from natural soil. urces
(MoA
LR)
Oilseeds
and Plant
MoA
grains, Phytosanitary See attestation for plant and plant products above. Healt
LR
including Certificate h
rice
Unprocess
ed
Plant
vegetables Phytosanitary MoA
Healt
, fruits, Certificate See attestation for plant and plant products above. LR
h
and nuts
4
Requ
estin
g
Minis
Title of Purp try
Products Attestation Required on Certificate
Certificate ose (Reg
ulato
ry
Agen
cy)
5
Requ
estin
g
Minis
Title of Purp try
Products Attestation Required on Certificate
Certificate ose (Reg
ulato
ry
Agen
cy)
y
Food
Safet
y and
Certificate of Certifying that the amount of radiation remaining Publi
Irradiation in the food is not harmful to human consumption, c
if the food is irradiated. Healt
The residual level of radiation should be h
indicated.
Products in the shipment comply with U.S. Food
requirements and are sold freely in the market of Safet
Free Sale
the country of origin. y and
Certificate
qualit
y
Products are wholly obtained, produced, Quali
Certificate of manufactured or processed in the country of ty
Origin origin. and EFD
safet A
y
Alcoholic
Beverages
7
Requ
estin
g
Minis
Title of Purp try
Products Attestation Required on Certificate
Certificate ose (Reg
ulato
ry
Agen
cy)
negative results for diseases.
Date of pre-export quarantine (if applicable, kind
of vaccines administered, and dates of
vaccination).
Parent, grandparent flocks for the eggs are free
from clinical/infection evidences of any
communicable diseases in the previous year;
Anim
Free from H5 and H7 subtype avian influenza and
al
other infectious diseases in the past six months.
Fertile or Healt
Veterinary The source flocks for DOCs and adult birds were MoA
Hatching h and
Certificate not vaccinated against avian influenza, LR
Eggs Trace
coccidiosis, live Newcastle vaccine.
abilit
The source of flock is subject to disease y
surveillance program.
Proper biosecurity measures were applied to the
source poultry farm and hatchery facility.
Certify the seed and seed cocoons conform to the Anim
Veterinary characters of the notified variety and are free from al
Certificate perbine and muscardine diseases. Healt
MoA
Silkworm h and
Attesting that the silkworm seed was inspected by Trace
LR
Quarantine
a veterinarian within 24 hours preceding the date abilit
Certificate
of exportation. y
The animal was inspected by a veterinarian within
30 days preceding the date of exportation and
were subjected with a negative result to the Anim
Live diagnostic tests recommended by the OIE. al
Sheep and The animal was vaccinated and free from any Healt
Veterinary MoA
Goat communicable disease within 60 days prior to h and
Certificate LR
date of inspection. Trace
The animal passed through pre-export quarantine abilit
for 21 days in the country of origin. y
The animal was treated for internal and external
parasites within 30 days of export.
8
Requ
estin
g
Minis
Title of Purp try
Products Attestation Required on Certificate
Certificate ose (Reg
ulato
ry
Agen
cy)
Pedigree Records Showing the pedigree records of the animals
Certificate
Attesting the semen production center is approved
by vet services of the exporting country and
fulfills inspection and health requirements of the
competent authority.
Anim
Collection of the semen for the consignment was
al
sixty days or less.
Sheep and Healt
Veterinary Flocks of origin of the donor animals were free MoA
Goat h and
Certificate from any quarantine restrictions from at least 90 LR
Semen Trace
days before the commencement of semen
abilit
collection for this consignment until completion
y
of the collected period.
Donor animals remain clinically healthy and free
of disease for at least 30 days prior to export of
the semen consignment.
Anim
The animals were inspected by a veterinarian
al
within 30 days preceding the date of exportation.
Sheep and Healt
Veterinary The herd of the origin was found to be free from MoA
Goat h and
Certificate diseases. LR
Embryo Trace
Embryo collection and processing techniques abilit
adhere to the OIE Animal Health Code. y
Cattle Veterinary Refer to attestations for sheep and goat embryo. Anim MoA
9
Requ
estin
g
Minis
Title of Purp try
Products Attestation Required on Certificate
Certificate ose (Reg
ulato
ry
Agen
cy)
Embryo Certificate al LR
and Healt
Semen h and
Trace
abilit
y
Anim
al
Healt
Live Veterinary MoA
See required attestation for live cattle h and
Buffalo Certificate LR
Trace
abilit
y
The certification should indicate:
o Import permit number
o Exporting country Anim
o Name of certifying institution al
o Date of pre-entry isolation Healt
Buffalo Veterinary MoA
o Date of entry into collection center/resident h and
Semen Certificate LR
herd Trace
o Dates of sampling for any tests required abilit
o Type of test used and test results y
o Dates of reproductive material transfer, if any
and reason for transfer.
Refer to attestations for cattle embryo Anim
al
Healt
Buffalo Veterinary MoA
h and
Embryo Certificate LR
Trace
abilit
y
Country of origin officially declared from Anim
notifiable diseases. al
Veterinary MoA
Live Pigs
Certificate The source farm or area of origin is officially Healt
LR
recognized as free of vesicular stomatitis by the h and
OIE. Trace
10
Requ
estin
g
Minis
Title of Purp try
Products Attestation Required on Certificate
Certificate ose (Reg
ulato
ry
Agen
cy)
The farm origin is officially free from Brucellosis abilit
and Aujeszky’s diseases without vaccination. y
At the farm of origin, no cases of diseases were
officially reported six months prior to export
At the farm of origin, no clinical cases occurred
of diseases such as SIRS or PRRS, TGE, PRCV
or TB in the past two years.
Anim
al
Pig
Healt
Semen Veterinary MoA
h and
and Certificate LR
Trace
Embryo
abilit
Refer to attestations for sheep and goat embryo. y
Certifying that the export fish is free from Anim
Veterinary
diseases and parasites and was subjected to al
Certificate
disinfection prior to shipment. Healt
MoA
Live Fish h and
LR
Certificate of Indicating its history regarding its exposure to Trace
Clearance diseases and/or pathogens and its genetic makeup. abilit
y
Anim
al
Fish Healt
Veterinary MoA
Semen or See attestations for live fish h and
Certificate LR
Embryo Trace
abilit
y
Attesting that country of origin is officially
Anim
declared free of notifiable diseases according to
Live al
OIE guideline.
Equine ( Healt
Veterinary None of the diseases were detected at the farm of MoA
Horse, h and
Certificate origin or adjacent land within 90 days prior to LR
Donkey, Trace
shipment.
and Mule) abilit
No cases of contagious Vesicular Stomatitis y
reported in country of origin within 60 days prior
11
Requ
estin
g
Minis
Title of Purp try
Products Attestation Required on Certificate
Certificate ose (Reg
ulato
ry
Agen
cy)
to export.
Equines were born and bred in the exporting
country and at the farm of origin for not less than
six months prior to export.
Equines passed through pre-export quarantine for
not less than 30 days prior to shipment in the
country of origin.
The equines were subjected with negative test
results for diseases. Inoculation applied between
six months and 30 days prior to shipment.
Anim
al
Country of origin for donor stallion and jackass is
Equine Healt
Veterinary declared officially free from notifiable diseases. MoA
Semen or h and
Certificate Production center and the health of donor stallion LR
Embryo Trace
or jack ass fulfills the OIE guideline.
abilit
y
The animal was inspected by a veterinarian within
30 days preceding the date of exportation and free
from camel disease as per OIE. Anim
Free from any communicable disease within 60 al
days prior to date of inspection. Healt
Live Veterinary MoA
Camel Certificate The farm where the animal was reared is: h and
LR
o Officially approved and supervised by a Trace
competent authority. abilit
o Not subject to any prohibition for notifiable y
disease reasons on the day of collection of the
said animal.
Anim
al
Camel Healt
Veterinary Refer attestations for sheep and goat MoA
Semen or h and
Certificate embryo/semen. LR
Embryo Trace
abilit
y
12
Section II: Purpose of Specific Export Certificate(s)
Certificate of Conformity (COC):
EFDA and the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MoTI) require a Certificate of Conformity (COC) for
food and agricultural products subjected to Compulsory Ethiopian Standards (CES). The main purpose
of the COC is to ensure quality, food safety, and to expedite customs clearances at entry ports. The
subjected import products under CES must be accompanied by a pre-export certificate of conformity.
Agro-food products under the list of mandatory standards include: fresh and canned fruits and
vegetables, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, edible oil, oilseeds, food additives, and prepackaged
foods. The certificate of conformity can be issued from authorized third party inspection companies
accredited to ISO/IEC 17025. International third party inspection companies that may handle pre-
shipment Verification of Conformity (VoC) program for Ethiopia may include SGS, Bureau Veritas,
Intertek, and Cotecna. U.S. exporters are advised to approach the respective local branch office of the
third party inspection companies and submit their inquiries.
Health Certificate:
For imports of processed food and non-alcoholic beverage products, the Ethiopian Food and Drug
Authority (EFDA) requires a valid health certificate issued by a competent body. The certification
should attest that the imported food product complies with the appropriate quality and safety standards
of the country of origin. Original and copy of health certificate should be submitted for food and
beverages, excluding alcoholic drinks. In addition, the health certificate must be authenticated by
Chambers of Commerce in the country of origin. According to EFDA directive for food importers, a
health certificate serves only for a single consignment.
Phytosanitary Certificate:
Ethiopia’s Plant Health and Regulatory Directorate at the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
Resources (MoALR) requires imported plant and plant materials must be certified free from diseases
and the plants and plant parts free from soil. Generally, a phystosanitary certificate is mandatory for
unprocessed vegetables and fruits, grains, and oilseeds products. Incoming shipment of these products
must be accompanied by the phytosanitary certificate, which shall be issued by a duly authorized Plant
Quarantine Officer in the country of origin. Please refer Ethiopia’s Plant Quarantine Regulation for list
of plants and plant materials described under Schedule I for which a phytosaniaty certificate and an
import permit is required. Also, under Schedule II the regulation has separately listed plants and other
articles prohibited from entry into the country.
Veterinary Certificate:
For imports of livestock, livestock by-products and livestock genetic materials, Ethiopia’s Animal
Health Regulatory Directorate at MoALR requires a veterinary certificate issued by a competent
13
authority of the exporting country. The certificate should clearly attest the products and by- products of
animal origin meant for human food or animal feed or other purposes conform to recognized
international standards or the importing country’s animal health and food safety requirements.
Certificate of Origin:
This certificate is also a required document that must accompany each shipment confirming the country
of origin of the export product. The GOE regulatory authorities accept a certificate of origin which must
be dully authenticated by authorized Chambers of Commerce in the exporting country.
Certificate of Irradiation:
This certificate is required for all food products which have been irradiated during the production
process. The certificate should show evidence of the residual level of radiation and attest that it is not
harmful to human consumption. According to EFDA proclamation irradiation is defined as” a deliberate
exposure of food to ionizing radiation.” Also, EFDA requires labeling of irradiated foods must contain
the phrase “irradiated” or the internationally accepted radura symbol may be placed besides the labeling.
Registration Certificate:
EFDA has a mandatory list of food products that must be registered and approved prior to importation
for the first time. Infant formula (milk) and food supplements are strictly prohibited from entering the
market without prior registration and approval. Besides these products, EFDA has a broader list of food
products requiring prior registrations. These include: milk and milk products, meat and meat products,
poultry products, sea foods, processed vegetables, sliced fruits, nuts and their products, therapeutic
foods, cereal based complementary foods, confectioneries, fats and oils, processed fruits, packed water,
soft drinks, beer, iodized salt and noodles. Also, EFDA entails a pre-notification of import for products
which are not found in the list of compulsory registration.
14
Can the
Title of certificate
Certificate Is the be applied
certificate How long is the on
required certificate multiple
at entry? valid? shipments?
Certificate of
ltural products with Compulsory Ethiopian Standards Conformity Yes Three months No
Phytosanitary
Certificate Yes Three months No
Import
products Permit Yes Shipment period
Veterinary
Certificate Yes Three months No
Import
Permit Yes 21 days No
Quarantine
Certificate Yes Shipment period No
Pedigree
imal products and animal genetic materials. Records
Certificate Yes Shipment period No
Health
Certificate Yes Three months No
Certificate of Yes
Conformity Shipment period No
Free Sale Yes Shipment period
Certificate No
Origin Yes Shipment period
Certificate No
Certificate of Yes
Irradiation Shipment period No
and non-alcoholic beverages Registration Yes
Certificate Four years Yes
Import Yes
Permit Shipment period No
Certificate of
Age Yes Shipment period No
Origin
ages Certificate Yes Shipment Period No
15
Import
Permit
Yes Shipment period No
dified Organisms (GMOs) or Foods containing GMOs
In addition to the list of major export certificates discussed above, the following documents must
accompany each export shipment:
Customs declaration
Bill of loading, airway bill or track bill
Commercial Invoice
Packing List
Registration certificate
The required documentations for new registration of imported food products include:
Application form for registration
Free Sale Certificate
Food manufacturing or products registration certificate or approval
Authenticated copy of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Hazard Analysis Critical Control
Point (HACCP), or ISO 22000.2005 certificates. In appropriate circumstances, internationally
accepted certification or certificate of quality management system may be accepted in lieu of
GMP and HACCP. 3
Certificate of analysis of sample product for registration from accredited lab
Documents showing quality and safety of rawmaterails and food additives used in
manufacturing.
Study evidences for determining shelf life of the product.
Veterinary certificate attesting free of diseases that can be transmitted from animals to human.
Product sample
Technical documents such as:
o Formulation, and manufacturing and packaging procedure
o Data on method of analysis and specification of the finished product
o Stability study report and shelf life assignment
o Packaging and labeling requirements for finished product
o Quality analysis result
16
The Pesticide Registration and Control Proclamation 647/2010 of Ethiopia stipulates pesticides be
registered before use. The efficacy, safety and quality of each pesticide shall be tested under the field or
laboratory conditions and approved by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Resources (MoALR).
To make this effective, the Ministry controls and regulates the registration of agrochemicals in Ethiopia.
The registration is usually required for original and new molecules with valid patent or identical
products that are manufactured after the expiry of the patent of an original/proprietary registered
product.
Applicants for new registration of pesticides are expected to submit application of support letter to
research institute for undertaking efficacy trial and get research result to be attached in the dossier. Also
applicants are expected to submit their service request, pay the amount of service fee and submit
required documents such as:
Stamped application for registration of a pesticide
Material Safety Data Sheet
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Research Centre
Product Detail
Invoice of Manufacturer
Dossier with Efficacy Trial Result (Hard Copy) to the Ministry.
The Ministry evaluates the submitted dossier and Efficacy Trial Result Report and provides the
Certificate of New Registration of Pesticides if documentations and technical requirements are fulfilled.
17
APPENDIX
Ear
tag Identification No. of Date of Blood
S/N No. the Establishment Birth Breed Level % Sex LWT(Kg)
1
2
3
18
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
IV Health information
1. The undersigned official veterinarian, certify that the animals or germplasm described in the
accompanying passports meet the following requirements:
1.1 In accordance with the standards of the International Animal Health Code of the International Office
of Epizootics (OIE), the country is recognized as a country free of ---------------------------, -----------------
-------,--------------------------, -----------------------, -------------------------disease
1.2 In accordance with the legislation of the International Animal Health Code of the International
Office of Epizootics (OIE), the country is officially free from ---
----------------------, ----------------, ------------------------, -------------------------, -------------------
---------diseases. Hence, the exported animals/ the donor of germplasm have not been vaccinated against
these diseases.
1.3 The feeding of ruminants with proteins obtained from mammals is prohibited (except those proteins
determined to be safe, such as milk and milk products) in accordance with ------------------------
legislation and this prohibition is effectively implemented since ……………………..…...
1.4 The animals come from herds of origin, which have been for the past 12 months
officially free from ------------------,------------------,------------------,----------------,and-------
-----------diseases.
Official Seal
(Signature of the competent official veterinarian)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name and position of the official veterinarian in block letters)
19