Note: As the bulk of import cargo to Ethiopia is done through Ethiopian Shipping and Logistics Services Enterprise, it's imperative to know the procedures involved. The following procedures were followed by the now defunct Ethiopian Shipping Lines and they may have to be changed if and when ESLSE changes the procedures. What is outlined below is the now defunct Ethiopian Shipping Lines Procedures on Booking, Shipping and Clearing are outlined in this article.
1. Container release
If the cargo is to be de-stuffed at Djibouti port and has been lying in the port for LESS THAN 20 days
Container release is given after the consignee brings a copy of the Bill of Lading and ESL Container division will endorse it. Depending on the owner company of the container (APL, PIL, Maersk, etc), the consignee is required to sign an agreement. The details can be found out at ESL Container Division.
If the cargo is to be de-stuffed at Djibouti port and has been lying in the port for 20 days and more
- If the container has been lying for more than 30 days, a consignee has to pay demurrage.
- Estimation of container deposit and demurrage is prepared for the consignee at ESL Marketing Department, Container Division. A consignee has to deposit Br. 5000 for a 20 feet container and Br. 10,000 for a 40 feet container.
- Container release is given after the consignee brings a copy of the Bill of Lading with Cash Payment Order (CPO) of which amount is equal to the container deposit.
If the cargo is to be de-stuffed in Addis
- Estimation of container deposit and demurrage is prepared for the consignee at ESL Marketing Department, Container Division. A consignee has to deposit Br. 5000 for a 20 feet container and Br. 10,000 for a 40 feet container.
- Container release is given after the consignee brings a copy of Bill of Lading with CPO of which amount is equal to the container deposit, fills an agreement (undertaking) form.
For special/ corporate customers of ESL: If the cargo is to be de-stuffed at Djibouti
Container release is given to the consignee without any cash deposit after the special customer has brought a copy of the Bill of Lading and fills an undertaking form.
For special/ corporate customers of ESL: If the cargo is to be de-stuffed in Addis
Container release is given to the consignee after the special customer has brought a copy of the Bill of Lading and has filled an agreement form.
2. Refund of container deposit money
If cargo is to be de-stuffed at Djibouti
Once the cargo is de-stuffed, refund of container deposit is prepared after getting after the Container Division has received info on the arrival date of the vessel and de-stuffing date of the container from the agent at Djibouti and the Container Division
If cargo is to be de-stuffed in Addis
Refund of container deposit is prepared once the importer has brought Equipment Interchange Report (EIR) together with Galafi paper (a paper given at the Ethio Djibouti boarder post of GALAFI after the container has passed this post), and after the Container Division has received info on the arrival date of the vessel and de-stuffing date of the container from the agent at Djibouti and the Container Division.
DEMURRAGE
If the container has been lying for more than 30 days from the date of arrival of the vessel, a consignee has to pay demurrage.
