Ethiopia has no coastline, so almost everything it imports by sea comes through Djibouti. Dubai is one of the closest big supply markets, which makes the Dubai, Djibouti, Addis Ababa corridor one of the busiest trade lanes we handle. Here is how shipping from Dubai to Ethiopia works in practice.
Shipping from Dubai to Ethiopia goes by sea to Djibouti in about 5 to 7 days, then by road or rail to Addis Ababa. Air cargo reaches Addis Ababa in 2 to 5 days. Ethiopia has restricted petrol and diesel private car imports since 2024, so check before you buy a vehicle.
The route from Jebel Ali to Addis Ababa
| Leg | How | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Jebel Ali to Djibouti | Sea freight, full containers or vehicles | About 5 to 7 days |
| Djibouti to Addis Ababa | Road or rail, under transit papers | Inland leg, planned with each shipment |
| Dubai to Addis Ababa (ADD) | Air freight from 45 kg | 2 to 5 days |
At Djibouti the cargo is not cleared for Djibouti. It moves on under transit documents to Ethiopia, where final clearance takes place. Our network partner office arranges the transit and the delivery in Ethiopia.
Road is the most common option for the inland leg. The railway between Djibouti and Addis Ababa is used for some cargo, and we choose based on the cargo type and the delivery point.
Car imports into Ethiopia changed in 2024
If you plan to send a car, read this first. Ethiopia has restricted imports of petrol and diesel private cars since 2024 and favours electric vehicles. Duty and excise on cars are very high and rise with engine size, and a bank import permit is needed before purchase. Only left-hand-drive vehicles are accepted.
Trucks, machinery and spare parts ship regularly. See heavy machinery shipping and car shipping from Dubai.
Shipping to Addis Ababa?
Send us the cargo, the weight and the delivery address in Ethiopia. We plan the sea leg, the transit and the clearance.
Documents for Ethiopia
- Commercial invoice and packing list
- Bill of lading or air waybill, which we issue
- The bank import permit for Ethiopia, arranged by the importer before purchase
- Transit documents for the Djibouti leg, which our partner prepares
- Permits for regulated goods such as food, medicines and chemicals
The bank import permit is the step that most often holds up a shipment. Get it in place before you pay the supplier.
Shipping to Djibouti itself
Djibouti is also a destination in its own right. Cargo for Djibouti is cleared by Djibouti Customs and delivered by our partner office there. Read our Djibouti shipping page for the details.
Why ship with MegaSpeed Cargo
We are a Dubai freight forwarder with 40+ years in the industry. We load at Jebel Ali, book the sea or air leg and work with our network partner office for the transit and clearance, so you have one point of contact from Dubai to Addis Ababa. We also ship to Kenya and South Sudan for traders who supply more than one East African market.
Related pages
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from Dubai to Ethiopia take?
Sea freight from Jebel Ali to Djibouti takes about 5 to 7 days, plus the road or rail leg to Addis Ababa. Air cargo to Addis Ababa takes 2 to 5 days.
Which port is used for Ethiopia?
Djibouti. Ethiopia is landlocked, so sea cargo lands in Djibouti and continues to Ethiopia under transit documents.
Can I ship a petrol car from Dubai to Ethiopia?
Imports of petrol and diesel private cars have been restricted since 2024. Send us the vehicle details before you buy and we will check.
Do I need an import permit for Ethiopia?
Yes. A bank import permit is needed before purchase. Arrange it before you pay the supplier.
Can you ship to Ethiopia by air?
Yes. Air cargo from Dubai to Addis Ababa takes 2 to 5 days, from 45 kg.
Who clears the cargo in Ethiopia?
Our network partner office handles the transit through Djibouti and the clearance and delivery in Ethiopia.
Get a quote for Ethiopia
Tell us what you are shipping and where in Ethiopia it is going. We will plan the full route through Djibouti.
