Customs Valuation System in Ethiopia

Abstract

The study assessed the customs valuation system applied in Ethiopia and investigated the existing problems in the system. The methods adopted in the study include documentary analysis, in-depth interview and self administered questionnaires. The results suggested that the Customs Valuation System in Ethiopia does not provide fair, neutral and uniform valuation and does not effectively protect traders from risk of arbitrary valuation by the customs officers. There is also risk of revenue loss to the government due to under invoicing of imports by the traders since controlling mechanisms such as Post Clearance Audit (PCA) are not adequately developed. Therefore, the Government of Ethiopia needs to strengthen the controlling mechanisms within the customs valuation system since duties and taxes on foreign trade contribute the significant portion of its tax and duty revenues.