🇹🇿 Import Customs & Duties: Tanzania
Quick Facts
Duty-free threshold
$0
Duty applies from $0
VAT / Sales Tax
18%
CIF value + duty. Basic food items (unprocessed) at 0%. Some goods at special rates.
Clearance Time
3-7 days express, 14-28 postal days
typical processing
Duty Rates by Category
| Category | Duty Rate | HS Chapter |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics | 0-25% (EAC CET: phones 0%, TVs 25%) | 85 |
| Clothing | 25% (EAC CET Category 3) | 61-62 |
| Footwear | 25% | 64 |
| Food products | 0-25% (rice 25%, wheat 0%, sugar 25%) | 01-24 |
| Machinery | 0-10% (capital goods 0%) | 84 |
| Cosmetics | 25% | 33 |
| Books | 0% | 49 |
| Toys | 10-25% | 95 |
Rates shown are for standard goods. Exact rate depends on the HS code of your item.
Import Duty Calculator
Customs Clearance Process
Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) manages customs. EAC Common External Tariff applies with 3 main bands: 0% (raw materials/capital goods), 10% (intermediate goods), 25% (finished goods). TANCIS electronic system for declarations. Dar es Salaam port is the primary entry point and a major East African hub. Customs broker mandatory. English and Swahili documentation accepted.
What to Actually Expect
Dar es Salaam port is a major East African hub, also serves landlocked Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, Zambia. EAC CET with 3 bands (0/10/25%) provides clear structure. Port congestion can cause delays. TRA customs improving with TANCIS electronic system. Express couriers (DHL, FedEx) operate reliably. Postal service 2-4 weeks. Used clothing imports banned to protect local textile industry. Zanzibar has partially separate customs regime.
Required Documents
Commercial Invoice
Item description, quantity, value, sender and receiver details
Packing List
Detailed description of contents in each package
Customs Declaration (CN22/CN23)
Required for postal shipments
Air Waybill (AWB)
Generated by the carrier when booking the shipment
Certificate of Origin
May be required for reduced duties (FTA/preferential rates)
Export/Import License
For restricted goods (electronics, medicines, chemicals)
Import License Requirements
Import license required for commercial goods. Restricted: used clothing (banned since 2016), firearms, certain chemicals. TBS (Tanzania Bureau of Standards) conformity certificate required for regulated products. TFDA approval for pharmaceuticals and food. Pre-shipment verification of conformity (PVoC) mandatory.
Certificate of Origin
EAC certificate for regional preferential trade. Tanzania Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (TCCIA) issues certificates. SADC certificates also applicable. EU-EAC EPA provides preferential access for EU goods.
Learn more →Prohibited & Restricted Items
Prohibited
- xNarcotics and illegal drugs
- xExplosives and flammable materials
- xWeapons and ammunition
- xCounterfeit goods
- xCounterfeit currency and documents
Restricted (permit required)
- !Medicines and pharmaceuticals
- !Food and beverages
- !Plants and seeds
- !Electronics (lithium batteries)
- !Perfumes and cosmetics (volume limits)
Useful Links
Duty & Tax Estimate
Estimated import charges when shipping goods to Tanzania:
| Goods Value | Duty | VAT/Tax | Total Charges |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50 | $13 | $11 | $24 |
| $100 | $25 | $23 | $48 |
| $200 | $50 | $45 | $95 |
| $500 | $125 | $113 | $238 |
| $1000 | $250 | $225 | $475 |
Estimates only. Actual duties depend on product category and HS code.
Popular routes to Tanzania
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the duty-free threshold for Tanzania?
Tanzania has no duty-free threshold. All imported goods are subject to duties regardless of their value.
What is the VAT rate on imports to Tanzania?
The VAT/tax rate on imports to Tanzania is 18%. VAT applies to: CIF value + duty. Basic food items (unprocessed) at 0%. Some goods at special rates.
How long does customs clearance take in Tanzania?
Typical customs clearance in Tanzania takes 3-7 days express, 14-28 postal days. Express shipments usually clear faster.
What documents are needed to import into Tanzania?
To import into Tanzania, you typically need: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading/airway bill, and customs declaration. Some goods may require a certificate of origin or import license.
What items are prohibited from import into Tanzania?
Tanzania prohibits the import of narcotics, weapons, counterfeit goods, certain animal products, and hazardous materials. Restrictions may also apply to alcohol, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, and certain electronics.