Build the manifest properly
The manifest is the document customs will work from, and it needs to match the contents of the cases exactly. For each item: description, make, model, serial number, quantity and declared value. Group by case, number the cases, and give total weights.
List consumables separately from equipment, because gaffer tape, batteries and expendables are treated differently from a camera body. Anything you intend to leave behind, give away or sell in Ethiopia must be declared as such, not smuggled in on a temporary import.
Choose the import route
Carnet acceptance is not universal and should be verified for your equipment and country of origin before shipping rather than assumed. Where it is not the right instrument, the deposit route is standard and works reliably, but it ties up cash for the duration of the shoot and sometimes for a while afterwards.
| Route | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary admission / carnet | Gear enters duty-free on the undertaking that it re-exports with the crew | Productions whose carnet arrangement is accepted; confirm current position first |
| Refundable duty deposit | A licensed clearing agent lodges a deposit against assessed duty, reclaimed on export | Most international crews; requires cash to be budgeted |
| Hire locally | Camera, lighting, grip and drone packages sourced in Addis Ababa | Shoots where the kit list can be met locally — usually the cheapest option overall |
| Air cargo ahead of crew | Consignment shipped and cleared before the unit arrives | Heavy packages and multi-region schedules |
Drones
Treat a drone as a separate problem from the rest of the kit. It needs its own approval, its own declaration and, in practice, its own conversation. Undeclared drones are routinely detained at the airport and are not always easy to recover.
For most productions the sensible answer is to leave your drone at home and hire a licensed Ethiopian operator whose aircraft is already registered in country. It is faster, cheaper and removes the risk entirely.
Practical points at Bole
- Have your fixer and clearing agent in position before the flight lands, not after.
- Carry printed copies of the manifest, the permit, the invitation letter and the clearing agent's details.
- Lithium batteries follow airline dangerous goods rules; check quantities and packing before check-in.
- Avoid arriving late on a Friday or immediately before a public holiday.
- Budget for bonded storage in Addis Ababa if you are shooting in several regions with gaps between legs.
- Close out the temporary import properly on departure or the deposit will not be released.