Quick info guide

CHECKLIST FOR IMPORT LICENSE

🗸 Application form
🗸 Clearance from Inland Revenue Department
🗸 Clearance  from city administration
🗸 Property title (rental contract) for office and store 
🗸 Approval of Zoning of the respective local municipality

Tariffs and Duties

☑ Based on HS (Harmonized System) Code 2012.

☑ Eritrea has reduced the tariffs for goods originating from COMESA Member States and all imports from these countries enjoy the privilege based on the principles of reciprocity.

☑ Certificate of Origin is required.  

☑ Import and export licenses can be obtained from the Department of Foreign Trade (no online services are available).

CONTACT INFORMATION

Ministry of Trade and Industry – Department of  Foreign Trade
Semaetat Avenue No. 45
P.O. Box 1844 Asmara
Tel: +291-1-117103
Email: ericomesa2@gmail.com

Importing into Eritrea

The Economic Macro Policy of Eritrea clearly spells out the national emphasis on export promotion as the only choice toward a sustainable growth and a viable economic development in Eritrea. Based on these objectives, the import policy gives priority to goods which contribute greatly in facilitating the development of the country’s economy such as capital goods, raw materials, intermediate goods and essential consumer goods.

The Ministry of Trade and Industry – Department of Foreign Trade is the major government body which regulates all import and export of goods and foreign trade licenses.

For every consignment of imports, an import permit is required, while the National Bank of Eritrea regulates the foreign currency aspect of import-export.
angle-left Requirements for import business

Requirements for import business

A supporting letter from relevant regulatory bodies (e.g. Ministry of Health for import of medicines and medical supplies, Ministry of Agriculture for agricultural imports, Eritrean Standards Institution for imports of industrial products etc) is required where applicable. Import quality and standards are assured by the relevant ministry or authority for certain imported products such as the Eritrean Standards Institution.

Specific requirements

- Import and Export License
- Permit from Department of Foreign Trade
- Approval from relevant sector
- Pro-forma invoice from supplier
- Deposit from bank of the exporter

Assessment of Import Business

- Well-defined import strategy
- Management commitment to importing
- Dealing with foreign suppliers
- Travel abroad
- Conducting market research
- Participation in special import fairs

Tips that can help importers to succeed

- Importing skills and resources
- Building good relationship with reputable suppliers
- Conducting market research 
- Participation in international trade fairs

Events related to import business

Trade fairs organized by the Ministry of Trade and Industry Department of Foreign Trade in collaboration with relevant stakeholders. Egypt, Sudan and Iran are some of the countries which have conducted trade fairs in Eritrea.

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