Ethiopia Import Duty & Tariff Guide 2026
Ethiopia's AGOA eligibility has been suspended since January 2022 and was not restored when Congress renewed AGOA in 2026, so Ethiopian goods pay normal MFN duty. But Ethiopia is outside the 60 economies hit by the July 2026 forced-labor tariff — so its apparel now pays less than Vietnam, Bangladesh or China. Coffee, sesame and spices enter duty-free.
Forced-labor tariff advantage: Ethiopian cotton T-shirts pay 16.5% (MFN only) against 29% from Vietnam, 26.5% from Bangladesh and 36.5% from China.
AGOA watch: reinstatement needs a presidential determination. If it happens, Ethiopian garments drop to 0% — monitor USTR's annual AGOA eligibility review.
US Import Duties on Ethiopian Products (2026)
| Product | HTS | MFN | AGOA | +§122 | 2026 total | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton T-shirts (knit) | 6109.10 | 16.5% | Suspended | None | 16.5% | Full MFN while AGOA is suspended; no forced-labor tariff |
| Woven trousers | 6203.42 | 16.6% | Suspended | None | 16.6% | Hawassa Industrial Park output |
| Leather footwear | 6403.99 | 8.5% | Suspended | None | 8.5% | Ethiopia: world's largest leather exporter per capita |
| Coffee (green, not roasted) | 0901.11 | Free | Suspended | None | 0% | MFN 0%; not covered by the forced-labor tariff |
| Cut flowers (roses) | 0603.11 | 6.8% | Suspended | None | 6.8% | Ethiopia is Africa's top flower exporter |
| Sesame seeds | 1207.40 | Free | Suspended | None | 0% | MFN 0%; major export crop |
| Leather goods (bags) | 4202.21 | 5.3–10% | Suspended | None | 5.3–10% | Full MFN while AGOA is suspended |
MFN from HTSUS 2026 Rev. 19. Ethiopia is not covered by the forced-labor Section 301 tariff. MPF (0.3464%, min $33.58) applies per formal entry.
Ethiopia Import Duty — FAQs
Does Ethiopia have AGOA (African Growth and Opportunity Act) eligibility?
No. Ethiopia's AGOA eligibility was suspended on 1 January 2022 over the Tigray conflict and has not been restored. AGOA itself lapsed on 30 September 2025 and Congress restored it in February 2026, but USTR kept Ethiopia on the suspended list — a separate presidential determination would be needed. Until then Ethiopian goods pay normal MFN rates.
What would AGOA reinstatement change for Ethiopian goods?
AGOA gives eligible sub-Saharan countries duty-free access for virtually all goods, including apparel (which ordinary GSP excludes). If Ethiopia were reinstated, its garments would drop from 16.5% MFN (cotton T-shirts) to 0%, and leather goods and cut flowers would also enter duty-free. Apparel benefits depend on AGOA's fabric rules, including the third-country fabric provision.
Does the forced-labor tariff apply to Ethiopian goods?
No. The forced-labor Section 301 tariff that replaced the Section 122 surcharge on 24 July 2026 covers 60 economies, and Ethiopia is not one of them. Ethiopian goods pay MFN duty only. That makes a cotton T-shirt 16.5% from Ethiopia against 29% from Vietnam, 26.5% from Bangladesh and 36.5% from China.
What is the Hawassa Industrial Park?
Hawassa Industrial Park is Ethiopia's flagship export processing zone, built in 2016 in the Sidama region with Chinese construction funding. It houses major apparel brands' supplier factories — PVH (Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger), Velocity Apparel, and dozens of others. The park was designed to leverage AGOA duty-free access and Ethiopia's low wage rates (among the lowest in Africa) to attract fast-fashion supply chains. At peak operation it employed 60,000+ workers.
How does Ethiopia compare to Morocco for AGOA/FTA garment sourcing?
Morocco has a real FTA (MFTA, 2006): qualifying Moroccan garments pay 0% MFN but 12.5% forced-labor tariff, so a cotton T-shirt pays 12.5%. Ethiopia has no working preference while its AGOA suspension lasts, but pays no forced-labor tariff, so the same T-shirt pays 16.5%. Ethiopia's labor costs are much lower, which can outweigh the 4-point gap; Morocco is closer to Europe and more stable politically. If Ethiopia regains AGOA, it would drop to 0% and beat every Asian origin.
Is Ethiopia subject to Section 301 tariffs?
No. The China Section 301 lists apply only to Chinese goods, and Ethiopia is outside the 60 economies covered by the separate forced-labor Section 301 tariff.
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