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I am moving there soon and trying to figure out what to bring n the container ship.
- Ethiopia has heavy customs duties. These do not apply for diplomats. So you should be careful to make sure whether you can get duty exemption or not.
- For other people, bringing in personal effects is really difficult with many bizarre procedures. E.g you can only bring in a car if you are a diplomat or an returning Ethiopian. Other than that, car imports should be done by registered traders. (custom duties are very high & become ridiculously high if the engine is big.

Do I need an air conditioner? Can I buy one there? I am a bit sensitive to air quality.
- Yes AC are available but are expensive. The weather is very good all year round (in Addis). AC are mainly used for server rooms.

Art Supplies. Can I buy quality art supplies there? I paint with oils.
- There are some stationery that have some oil paints but variety is very limited.

Tools! Is there anything like a hardware store there where I can buy a good range or tools? I will be looking to get a garden going and need to make repairs on my bike.
- There aren't any hardware stores like what you would find in the west. There is a place called Addis Home Depot. It has some tools that aren't available elsewhere. They also have a very small gardening section. There are other areas that are now expanding their range e.g SengaTera or Piassa area.

Good luck

Thank you for the info! Looks like I will be shipping tools, some garden stuff and painting supplies.

Good times.