Shipping from Dubai
to Ethiopia.
We ship from Dubai and from anywhere in the UAE to Ethiopia every week. Ethiopia has no coast, so sea cargo lands at Djibouti and travels inland by road or rail. We also fly into Addis Ababa. We ship business and personal cargo, we handle the paperwork at both ends, and we deliver to your address in Ethiopia.
Overview
Sea, road and air freight
to Ethiopia.
Ethiopia has no sea port of its own, so shipping from Dubai goes one of two ways. By sea, your goods sail to Djibouti in about 4 to 12 days and then travel inland to the Modjo dry port near Addis Ababa, which usually adds one to three weeks. By air into Addis Ababa it is 1 to 4 days, and Addis is one of the best connected cargo airports in Africa. We deliver everywhere, including Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Mekelle, Hawassa, Bahir Dar, Jimma and Adama. We move machinery, spare parts, building materials, medical supplies, electronics and household goods. Navo Shipping handles the sea freight, air freight and customs clearance on the Dubai to Ethiopia route, door to door. Tell us what you are sending, how heavy it is, and where it is going, and we will tell you which way is cheaper.
Ports and gateways
Ports and airports
we ship to from Dubai.
Every bill of lading carries two ports: where the cargo loads, and where it discharges. We load at Jebel Ali or another UAE port. Ethiopia is landlocked, so sea cargo discharges at Doraleh, Djibouti and travels inland from there. That inland leg is a shipment in its own right, so we plan and price it separately.
POLPort of loading
We collect anywhere in the UAE, free zones included, and load at whichever of these eight suits the cargo.
- Jebel AliAEJEA
- Port RashidAEPRA
- Khalifa PortAEKHL
- Zayed PortAEAUH
- Port KhalidAESHJ
- Khor FakkanAEKLF
- Port of FujairahAEFJR
- Ajman PortAEAJM
PODPort of discharge
The right one is whichever leaves the shortest inland leg to your delivery address. On a long lane that leg is a shipment in its own right, so it is planned rather than assumed.
- Bole International, Addis AbabaADDAirportAddis Ababa and the whole country. One of the best connected cargo airports in Africa
How cargo reaches Bole International, Addis Ababa
Air freight from Dubai to Bole International, Addis Ababa can use accepted nonstop or connecting belly and freighter capacity into the main Addis Ababa cargo hub. Times vary from flight to flight, so we confirm the days when we quote. Dire Dawa is the eastern alternative, while Bole provides the broadest national and international cargo network. The quote combines air freight, security screening, handling, clearance and final delivery. Get a rate for Bole International, Addis Ababa - Dire DawaAirportThe east, and the corridor city closest to Djibouti
How cargo reaches Dire Dawa
Air freight from Dubai to Dire Dawa can use a connection through Addis Ababa or another approved hub, with local cargo handling confirmed. Times vary from flight to flight, so we confirm the days when we quote. Bole is the alternative for broader uplift, while Dire Dawa is closer to the Djibouti corridor and eastern Ethiopia. The quote combines air freight, security screening, handling, clearance and final delivery. Get a rate for Dire Dawa - MekelleAirportTigray and the north
How cargo reaches Mekelle
Air freight from Dubai to Mekelle can use a connection through Addis Ababa only when the current flight, cargo acceptance and safe road handover are confirmed. Times vary from flight to flight, so we confirm the days when we quote. Bole is the alternative for broader uplift, while Mekelle reduces the road leg to Tigray when conditions permit. The quote combines air freight, security screening, handling, clearance and final delivery. Get a rate for Mekelle - Modjo dry portDry portAddis Ababa, Adama and most of the country. The main place cargo clears customs
How cargo reaches Modjo dry port
Shipping from Dubai to Modjo dry port can enter through Doraleh, then continue under Ethiopian customs transit by rail or road to Modjo for inland clearance. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Direct road transit from Doraleh is the alternative when the rail slot or cargo type does not suit the shipment. The quote combines ocean freight, port and inland terminal handling, rail or road transfer, clearance and final delivery. Get a rate for Modjo dry port - Dire Dawa dry portDry portThe east, on the Djibouti corridor
How cargo reaches Dire Dawa dry port
Shipping from Dubai to the Dire Dawa dry port can enter through Doraleh, then continue under Ethiopian customs transit by rail or road to Dire Dawa. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Modjo is the alternative for Addis Ababa cargo, while Dire Dawa is closer to eastern Ethiopia. The quote combines ocean freight, port and inland terminal handling, rail or road transfer, clearance and final delivery. Get a rate for Dire Dawa dry port - Doraleh, DjiboutiTranshipment portThe great majority of Ethiopian seaborne cargo, under customs transit
How cargo reaches Doraleh, Djibouti
Shipping from Dubai to Doraleh can use an accepted Gulf of Aden container booking, then continue under Ethiopian customs transit by rail or road. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Berbera is the alternative for eastern Ethiopia, while Doraleh provides the established rail link to Modjo. The quote combines ocean freight, any relay, port handling, customs transit, security checks and inland delivery. Get a rate for Doraleh, Djibouti - Berbera, SomalilandTranshipment portThe alternative corridor for eastern Ethiopia
How cargo reaches Berbera, Somaliland
Shipping from Dubai to Berbera can use an accepted Gulf of Aden booking, then continue by approved road transit through Wajaale into Ethiopia. Times vary from ship to ship, so we confirm the days when we quote. Doraleh is the established alternative with direct railway access, while Berbera may suit eastern Ethiopia. The quote combines ocean freight, any relay, port handling, customs transit, security checks and inland delivery. Get a rate for Berbera, Somaliland - Galafi land portLand borderThe main road corridor from Djibouti
How cargo reaches Galafi land port
Shipping from Dubai to Galafi land port can enter Djibouti through Doraleh, then continue under Ethiopian customs transit through Galafi. Border and convoy times vary, so we confirm the days when we quote. Rail through Dewele is the alternative when the cargo and wagon plan suit the shipment. The quote combines the international leg, trucking, transit guarantees, border handling, clearance, insurance and final delivery. Get a rate for Galafi land port - Wajaale land portLand borderThe Somaliland border on the Berbera corridor
How cargo reaches Wajaale land port
Shipping from Dubai to Wajaale land port can enter Somaliland through Berbera, then continue under Ethiopian customs transit through Wajaale. Border and convoy times vary, so we confirm the days when we quote. Doraleh through Galafi is the established alternative for cargo better suited to the Djibouti corridor. The quote combines the international leg, trucking, transit guarantees, border handling, clearance, insurance and final delivery. Get a rate for Wajaale land port
- Bole International, Addis AbabaADDAirportAddis Ababa and the whole country. One of the best connected cargo airports in Africa
Before you ship
Import rules
for Ethiopia.
Ethiopia has one step that decides when your shipment can start, and it is about money rather than goods. Your Ethiopian buyer has to get a permit from their bank covering the value of the order before anything ships. Foreign currency is limited, so this can take time, and it is outside your control and theirs. Nothing moves until it is granted. On top of that, regulated products need a conformity certificate, which is arranged here in Dubai and includes checking the labels, not just the product. Tell us what you are sending and confirm the bank permit is in hand, and we will handle the rest.
Documentation
Documents you need
for Ethiopia.
These 8 cover most shipments to Ethiopia. The exact list depends on the commodity and its HS code, so send us both and we confirm what applies before the cargo is booked.
- 01Invoice showing what you paid for the goods
- 02Packing list showing what is inside
- 03Certificate of origin showing where the goods were made
- 04Bill of lading or air waybill, which is the shipping ticket
- 05Dubai export paper, which we do for you
- 06Bank permit from your buyer, before the goods ship
- 07Conformity certificate, if your product needs one
- 08Transit papers for the road or rail leg from Djibouti
Get the paperwork right in Dubai and clearance at destination is routine. Fixing a document after arrival is slow, and storage accrues the whole time it takes.
How it works
Dubai to Ethiopia
shipping, step by step.
Send the cargo details: what it is, where it is going, rough weight and dimensions. We come back with the routes that suit it, sea against road against air, and a written rate with a validity date on it. You pick one, we book it, and one coordinator stays with the shipment until it is delivered in Ethiopia.
- 01
Send the details
Tell us what you are sending, how heavy it is, how big it is, and where in Ethiopia it goes.
- 02
We check the bank permit
Your buyer gets their bank permit. We confirm it is in place before anything is booked, because nothing moves without it.
- 03
Get a price and ship
We send a written price for the sea leg and the inland leg separately, then collect, load and clear.
- 04
We deliver
We track the shipment and keep you updated all the way, then bring the goods to your door.
Questions
Cargo to Ethiopia
questions, answered.
The 15 we are asked most on the Dubai to Ethiopia route. If yours is not here, send it with the commodity and we will answer it directly.
Do you offer movers and packers for a house move from Dubai to Ethiopia?
Yes. Our movers and packers do the packing, wrapping and listing, then we ship your furniture and household goods in a full container, or share one if you have less to send. The item by item list matters, because customs clear personal effects against it. Fuel, gas cylinders, paint, aerosols and loose batteries cannot travel, and we give you the full list before packing day.
How long does shipping from Dubai to Ethiopia take?
By sea it is about 4 to 12 days to Djibouti, then one to three weeks inland to the Modjo dry port near Addis Ababa. By air into Addis it is 1 to 4 days. We quote the sea leg and the inland leg separately because they behave very differently.
How much does shipping from Dubai to Ethiopia cost?
It depends on what you send, how big it is, and where in Ethiopia it is going. We do not publish prices because every shipment is different. Sea freight to Ethiopia is priced per container when you fill one, and per cubic metre when you share one. Air freight to Ethiopia is priced on weight or size, whichever is greater. Send us the details and we send you a price in writing, usually the same day.
Why does my cargo go through Djibouti?
Because Ethiopia has no coastline. Almost all Ethiopian sea cargo lands at Djibouti and travels inland by road or rail. The goods are not imported at Djibouti, they move through it and clear in Ethiopia.
Which cities in Ethiopia do you deliver to?
Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Mekelle, Hawassa, Bahir Dar, Jimma, Adama and elsewhere. Give us the address and we will quote the delivery.
What is the bank permit, and why does it matter so much?
It is a permit your Ethiopian buyer gets from their bank covering the value of the order. Foreign currency is limited, so it can take time and it is a queue rather than a formality. Nothing ships until it is granted, which is why we check it first.
Where do my goods actually clear customs?
At an Ethiopian dry port, usually Modjo near Addis Ababa, or Dire Dawa for eastern cargo. Djibouti is only a transit point, so no Ethiopian duty is paid there.
Do you deliver door to door?
Yes. We handle freight forwarding to Ethiopia door to door. We collect the goods in Dubai, move them, clear them through customs, and bring them to your address. You deal with one company for the whole journey.
Can I send a small shipment, or do I need a full container?
You can send as little as one box or one pallet. We put small shipments from different customers into one shared container. This is called LCL, or less than container load. Your goods load at Jebel Ali and come into Doraleh, Djibouti. When you have more goods, you move up to your own full container, which is called FCL. We will tell you which one is cheaper.
Is the inland leg expensive?
Often it costs more than the sea leg. It is a long road or rail journey from the coast, plus transit paperwork and handling at the dry port. Any quote that stops at Djibouti has covered about half the journey, so we always price both.
What is the conformity certificate?
It shows your product meets Ethiopian standards. It is arranged here in Dubai before shipping, and it checks the labels and markings as well as the product itself. Send the label artwork with the technical papers and we will check it.
Is air freight worth it to Ethiopia?
More often than you would expect. The sea alternative is a voyage plus a long inland leg, so air into Addis saves weeks rather than days. Addis is also very well connected. It will not speed up the bank permit though.
Do you handle customs clearance in Ethiopia?
Yes, at both ends. We handle customs clearance in Dubai and customs clearance in Ethiopia. You do not need to find your own clearing agent.
Can you collect the goods from my supplier in Dubai?
Yes. We collect anywhere in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and the rest of the UAE. We can also hold your goods in warehousing and storage in Dubai until you are ready to ship. That helps when you are buying from several suppliers and want everything to travel to Doraleh, Djibouti in one container.
Can you ship machinery and heavy equipment to Ethiopia?
Yes. We move project cargo to Ethiopia as well. Big, heavy items go in open top or flat rack containers, or loose on the ship into Doraleh, Djibouti. Send us the size and weight and we will work out the best way to move it.
Ready to ship from Dubai
to Ethiopia?
Send the commodity and its HS code, the weight and dimensions, and the delivery address. We confirm what Ethiopia checks before you ship, then the routing options, then a written rate with a validity date on it.
- Written rates
- One coordinator
- Customs handled in house
- UAE-wide collection
