- Import guide
- Africa
How to Import a Chinese EV to Ethiopia (2026)
What you need to know before importing a new or used Chinese EV to Ethiopia: import rules, duties and taxes, homologation, ports, shipping from China and the documents to prepare.
At a glance
- Import of new cars
- Allowed with restrictions
- Import of used cars
- Allowed with restrictions
- Age limit for used cars
- No official age limit could be confirmed, and importer sources disagree: one 2026 guide gives 8 years from manufacture for passenger cars, others report no age limit. Check the current rule and its latest updates locally, with Ethiopian customs or a licensed clearing agent, before buying a used car.
- Duties and taxes
- A fully built electric car pays 20% customs duty on its CIF value, up from 15% in late 2024. Electric cars pay no VAT, excise or surtax; a 3% withholding tax still applies.
- Homologation and standards
- The car is registered with the Ministry of Transport and Logistics after a mandatory safety and battery inspection; importers also list a certificate of conformity and a type approval certificate.
- Driving side
- Right-hand traffic (left-hand drive cars)
- Ports of entry
- Djibouti (sea port), Modjo (dry port)
- Shipping from China
- 35–50 days at sea
- Documents required
- 7 main documents
- Dealers listed
- 0
Dealers in Ethiopia
No Zeekr dealership in Ethiopia is listed in our directory yet. Importing may be the only way to buy some models.
Import of new cars to Ethiopia
Since January 2024, Ethiopia has banned imports of petrol and diesel cars: only electric cars can be imported. Importer guides from 2026 say hybrids and plug-in hybrids are banned too, so plan on a fully electric car. Check the current rule locally before importing a hybrid.
Import of used cars to Ethiopia
Used electric cars can be imported; used petrol, diesel and hybrid cars cannot. Importers advise asking for a battery health report before buying a used electric car.
Sources · verified November 7, 2026
Age limit for used cars to Ethiopia
No official age limit could be confirmed, and importer sources disagree: one 2026 guide gives 8 years from manufacture for passenger cars, others report no age limit. Check the current rule and its latest updates locally, with Ethiopian customs or a licensed clearing agent, before buying a used car.
Import duties and taxes in Ethiopia
A fully built electric car pays 20% customs duty on its CIF value, up from 15% in late 2024. Electric cars pay no VAT, excise or surtax; a 3% withholding tax still applies.
| Tax | Rate or amount |
|---|---|
| Customs duty – fully built electric car | 20% of CIF |
| VAT, excise and surtax | Exempt for electric cars |
| Withholding tax | 3% of CIF |
- Ethiopian customs officials have said more tariff revisions will follow: check the rate before shipping.
Sources · verified November 7, 2026
- Addis Insight – Ethiopian government raises customs duty on imported electric vehicles (November 2024)
- CleanTechnica – Ethiopia's Ministry of Finance exempts EVs from VAT, surtax and excise
- Addis Fortune – Customs revises EV import tariffs
- EV24.africa (EV importer) – How to import an electric car to Ethiopia in 2026
Homologation and standards
The car is registered with the Ministry of Transport and Logistics after a mandatory safety and battery inspection; importers also list a certificate of conformity and a type approval certificate.
Sources · verified November 7, 2026
Left-hand or right-hand drive?
Ethiopia drives on the right, and importers report that right-hand-drive cars are not allowed.
Sources · verified November 7, 2026
Ports of entry in Ethiopia
Ethiopia has no sea port: cars land at the Port of Djibouti, then go by road or rail to the Modjo dry port, about 70 km from Addis Ababa.
- Djibouti (sea port)
- Modjo (dry port)
Documents required
- Commercial invoice
- Bill of lading
- Technical documents of the battery and motor
- Importer ID and Tax Identification Number (TIN)
- Insurance documents
- Customs clearance certificate, needed for registration
- Battery health report, recommended for a used car
Sources · verified November 7, 2026
Shipping a car from China to Ethiopia
22 to 30 days by sea from China to Djibouti, then 3 to 10 days inland to Modjo. Forwarders quote a 20 ft container through to Modjo, Djibouti transit included.
- Indicative transit time35–50 days
- Indicative freight cost3,200–4,800 (20 ft container to Modjo)
Sources · verified November 7, 2026
Buy locally or import?
| Criteria | Local dealer | Import from China |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | No dealer listed yet | Models sold in China, if they meet local rules |
| Taxes | Included in the dealer price | Paid at customs (see above) |
| Delivery time | Depends on dealer stock | About 35–50 days at sea, plus clearance |
| Paperwork | Handled by the dealer | Customs, homologation and registration |
Zeekr prices in China
| Model | China price |
|---|---|
| Zeekr X | $24,000 – $27,100 |
| Zeekr 7X | $35,400 – $41,500 |
| Zeekr 7GT | $31,400 – $37,500 |
| Zeekr 001 | $41,500 – $56,200 |
| Zeekr 007 | $31,400 – $37,500 |
| Zeekr 009 | $67,700 – $72,300 |
China prices are ranges from the cheapest to the dearest version, based on China prices and exporter quotes (November 2026), with a small margin. Freight, insurance, duties and taxes are extra. Compare Zeekr prices by region.
Xiaomi prices in China
| Model | China price |
|---|---|
| Xiaomi SU7 | $33,900 – $46,800 |
| Xiaomi SU7 Ultra | $81,500 |
| Xiaomi YU7 | $35,900 – $50,800 |
| Xiaomi YU7 GT | $60,000 |
China prices are ranges from the cheapest to the dearest version, based on China prices and exporter quotes (November 2026), with a small margin. Freight, insurance, duties and taxes are extra. Compare Xiaomi prices by region.
How to import a Chinese EV to Ethiopia, step by step
- 1
Check that your car can be imported
New cars: Allowed with restrictions. Used cars: Allowed with restrictions. No official age limit could be confirmed, and importer sources disagree: one 2026 guide gives 8 years from manufacture for passenger cars, others report no age limit. Check the current rule and its latest updates locally, with Ethiopian customs or a licensed clearing agent, before buying a used car.
- 2
Choose the model and the right steering side
Right-hand traffic (left-hand drive cars). Make sure the car you buy matches it.
- 3
Estimate the landed cost
Add the purchase price, export fees, sea freight, insurance, import duty, taxes and registration costs before you commit.
- 4
Ship the car
Main ports of entry: Djibouti (sea port), Modjo (dry port). Expect about 35–50 days at sea from China.
- 5
Clear customs
Prepare the documents listed above and pay the duties and taxes at clearance.
- 6
Homologate and register
The car is registered with the Ministry of Transport and Logistics after a mandatory safety and battery inspection; importers also list a certificate of conformity and a type approval certificate.
FAQ: importing an electric car to Ethiopia
Can I import a Chinese EV plug-in hybrid (DM-i) to Ethiopia?
Plan on a fully Chinese EV. Petrol and diesel car imports have been banned since January 2024, and importer guides from 2026 say hybrids and plug-in hybrids are banned too.
What taxes does a Chinese EV pay in Ethiopia?
20% customs duty on the CIF value for a fully built car, up from 15% in late 2024, plus a 3% withholding tax. Electric cars are exempt from VAT, excise and surtax.
Which port do cars for Ethiopia arrive at?
The Port of Djibouti. Cars then go by road or rail to the Modjo dry port, near Addis Ababa, for customs clearance.
How long does shipping from China to Ethiopia take?
About 35 to 50 days in total: 22 to 30 days by sea to Djibouti, then 3 to 10 days inland to Modjo.
Is there an age limit for a used electric car imported to Ethiopia?
No official limit could be confirmed: one importer guide gives 8 years from manufacture for passenger cars, others report none. Check the current rule locally with Ethiopian customs or a licensed clearing agent before buying.