IMPORT

Import of meat and meat products is regulated by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) who issue an international health certificate to ascertain that the consignment meets the conditions outlined by the country of destination and the meat and meat products are healthy and free from diseases.

General requirement-apply to all commodities

Initial registration and licences

Business licence

Business Licence is a legal document issued by government agencies that grants the user the right to operate any form of trade, commerce, craftsmanship or specified profession carried on for profit or gain (business) within government's geographical jurisdiction.

Any businesses line in Tanzania should obtain its own business licence from the Government agency mandated to issue Business Licence. For the businesses that deal with international trade are required to obtain class "A" business licence from Business Registrations and Licensing Agency.

Depending on the nature of the business, several licences may be required to cover different types of activities. For example, a firm processing shirts may require a licence to process and sell the shirts locally and a licence to export the finished products.

Business licence - Zanzibar

Business licence is a legal document issued by government agencies that grants the user the right to operate any form of trade, commerce, craftsmanship or specified profession carried on for profit or gain (business) within government's geographical jurisdiction.

Any businesses line in Zanzibar should obtain its own business licence from the local government offices mandated to issue business licence.

Registration of importers

The Ministry of Trade and Industry is the authority which register all traders who wants to import any commodity to Zanzibar. Upon successful registration, traders are given certificate of registration.

Permits per consignment

Plant import permit

The plant import permit is issued by Ministry of Agriculture allowing the import of plant and plant materials into Tanzania. It ascertains that the consignment has met the requirements outlined on the permit as per the type of species. The permit is issued per consignment.

Phytosanitary certificate approval

The Ministry of Agriculture approval phytosanitary certificate which certifies that plant and plant products are free from regulated pests and conforms with other phytosanitary requirements of the exporting country. The certificate is valid per consignment.

Batch certificate

Batch certificate is issued by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards and certifies that a particular import consignment conforms to the specified standards recognized by the bureau.

Certificate of conformity

For a trader to import products in Tanzania, he/she must have a certificate of conformity. This certificate is given by Tanzania Bureau of Standard contracted companies which are required to inspect the products before issuing the certificate. The importer is then required to submit the certificate of conformity online for verification to TBS.

Certificate of roadworthiness

For a trader to import motor vehicle he/she must have the certificate of roadworthiness. This certificate is given by Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS)
contracted companies which are required to inspect the products before issuing the certificate. Then the importer is required to submit online the certificate for verification by TBS.

Transit pass for forest produce (TP)

Transit Pass for forest produce (TP) is a movement permit which allows to the movement of forest produce from one district to the other. The permit is regulated by each region or districts depending with where the forest produce are obtained. The movement permit is valid for 2-6 days depending with the distance.

Animal health certificate

Animal health certificate is required for exporters of animal and/or animal product from Tanzania main land. Issuance of the certificate is regulated by the Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries under the department of Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) and is required for each consignment for import.

Certificate of radioactivity analysis

The Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC) regulates all radioactive materials that contain radioactive elements and equipment that produce radioactive waves in Tanzania. TAEC certifies that foods are radioactive free which is a market requirement depending on the destination of the goods. The certificate is issued per consignment.

Food crop import permit

All importers of food crops must have permit to import food crop from Ministry of Agriculture except those which are regulated by boards and those which are perishables. This permit is per consignment and it is valid for three months from the date of issue.

Destination Inspection (ZBS)

Destination Inspection is a conformity assessment procedure used to verify that products imported to Zanzibar are in conformity with the applicable national standards or approved international or foreign standards by .Any importer of products which is not in PVoC product list, shall at least one week before the arrival of the import shipment, apply to the Zanzibar Bureau of Standards for Batch Certificate .

Certificate of conformity (ZBS)

For a trader to import products in Zanzibar, he/she must have a certificate of conformity. This certificate is given by Zanzibar Bureau of Standards contracted companies which are required to inspect the products before issuing the certificate. The importer is then required to submit the certificate of conformity to TBS imports certification office for verification.

Import permit

Commodities

Medicine

Initial registration and licences

Registration of premise

Registration of premises for wholesale medicine

All traders who intend to deal with distribution and storage of medicine products must have their premises registered. The registration certificate is only issued to registered medicine dealers and is regulated by the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA)

Registration of medicine

Product registration is mandatory for all medicine products imported into Tanzania. The Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority issues the traders with a product registration certificate upon successful product evaluation.

Permit

Medicines import permit

Medicine import permit is issued by Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) to a firm / trader who wishes to import registered medicine. To access online service as medicine importer, applicants are required to register with Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) service online portal. The applicants are then issued with user credentials which enables them to log in and access the portal.

Clearance

Clearance of medicine through JNIA

Import of medicine is regulated by Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) who issue product registration certificates for all new products, licences & certificates, and import permits per consignment. For more information on how to import your consignment of medicine through JNIA, click on the link.

Full procedure view-for a first time trader

Import medicine through JNIA

This procedure sequentially compiles the licences, permits and clearance steps to be fulfilled by a registered business owner importing a consignment of medicine through the JNIA.

Medical device or in vitro diagnostic devices

Initial registration and licences

Registration of medical device or in vitro diagnostic devices

Product registration is mandatory for all medical devices imported into Tanzania. Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) is the mandated authority to issue traders with a product registration certificate upon successful product evaluation.

Registration of premises for medical or in vitro diagnostic devices

Premise registration is a mandatory requirement for a trader who intends to deal with distribution, storage and importation of medical or in vitro diagnostic products. The premise registration certificate is only issued to registered medical or in vitro diagnostics dealers and is regulated by the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA)

Permit

Medical devices or in vitro diagnosis device import permit

Medical or in vitro diagnosis device import permit is issued by Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) to a firm/trader who wishes to import registered medical or in vitro diagnostic device. To access online service as medical or in vitro diagnosis device importer, applicants are required to register with Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA) service online portal. This is given per consignment and it is valid for three months from the date of approval.

Clearance

Clearance of medical or in vitro diagnosis devices through the port of Dar es Salaam

Import of medical devices is regulated by Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority who issue product registration certificates for all new products, licences & certificates, and import permits per consignment. For more information on how to import your consignment of medical devices through Dar es salaam port, click on the link.

Full procedure view-for a first time trader

Import medical device or in vitro diagnostic through port of Dar es salaam

This procedure sequentially compiles the licences, permits and clearance steps to be fulfilled by a registered business owner importing a consignment of medical devices through the Port of Dar es salaam.

Food

Initial registrations and licences

Registration of premises for food stuff (non-manufacturer's)

Premise registration is a mandatory requirement for a trader who intends to deal with distribution, storage and of food stuff products. The premise registration certificate for food stuffs is only issued to registered food stuffs dealers and is regulated by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS)

Registration of food stuff

Product registration is mandatory for all processed foods imported into Tanzania. Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) is the mandated authority to issue traders with a product registration certificate upon successful product evaluation.

Clearance

Clearance of food stuff through the port of Dar es Salaam

Import of processed food is regulated by Tanzania Bureau of Standards who issue product registration certificates for all new products, licences & certificates, and import permits per consignment. For more information on how to import your consignment of processed food through Dar es salaam port, click on the link.

Full procedure view-for a first time trader

Import food products through port of Dar es salaam

This procedure sequentially compiles the licences, permits and clearance steps to be fulfilled by a registered business owner importing a consignment of food through the Port of Dar es salaam.

Cosmetics

Initial registration and licences

Registration of premises for cosmetics

Premise registration is a mandatory requirement for a trader who intends to deal with distribution, storage and importation of cosmetics products. The premise registration certificate for cosmetics is only issued to registered cosmetics dealers and is regulated by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS).

Registration of cosmetics

Product registration is mandatory for all cosmetics imported into Tanzania. Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) is the mandated authority to issue traders with a product registration certificate upon successful product evaluation.

Clearance

Clearance of cosmetics through the port of Dar es Salaam

Import of cosmetics is regulated by Tanzania Bureau of Standards who issue product registration certificates for all new products, licences & certificates, and import permits per consignment. For more information on how to import your consignment of cosmetics through Dar es salaam port, click on the link.

Full procedure view-for a first time trader

Import cosmetics through port of Dar es salaam

This procedure sequentially compiles the licences, permits and clearance steps to be fulfilled by a registered business owner importing a consignment of cosmetics through the Port of Dar es salaam.

Used motor vehicle

Clearance

Used motor vehicle clearance procedure

The various import duties and taxes depend on the brand, engine size and year of production of the car. The TRA used motor vehicle valuation system calculator allows you to get the precise amount of taxes you will have to pay to import your motor vehicle.

Meat and meat products

Initial registration

Registration of meat industry stakeholders

Anyone intending to import meat and meat products, must first be registered as the meat industry stakeholder with the Tanzania Meat Board (TMB) who will be issued with registration certificate. The certificate is valid for a period of one year staring from the date of registration.

Permit

Clearance certificate for meat and meat products

Import of meat and meat products is regulated by the Tanzania Meat Board who issue an export clearance for each consignment. The clearance certificate will trigger further procedures towards the clearance of consignment.

Clearance

Clearance of meat and meat products through JNIA

Import of meat and meat products is regulated by the Tanzania Meat Board who issue an import permit for each consignment to ascertain the consignment is disease free and is fit for human consumption. For more information on how to clear your consignment of meat and meat products through Julius Nyerere International Airport, click on the link.

Full procedure view-for a first time trader

Import of meat and meat products through JNIA

This procedure sequentially compiles the licences, permits and clearance steps to be fulfilled by a registered business owner importing a consignment of meat or meat products through the JNIA.

Milk and milk products

Import of milk and milk products is regulated by Tanzania Dairy Board A trader intending to import milk and milk products must obtain an import permit for each consignment.

For more information on how to obtain an import permit for milk and milk products, click on the link.

Initial registration and licences

Any person intending to import milk and milk products, must first be registered as the milk industry stakeholder with the Tanzania Dairy Board who will be issued with registration certificate. The Certificate of registration of the dairy issued under the regulations shall be valid for a period of five years upon payment of annual retention fee of ten percent of the registration fee.

Registration of dairy stakeholder as milk and milk products importer

Permits

Milk and milk products import permit

Import of milk and milk products is regulated byTanzania Dairy Board. A trader intending to import milk and milk products must obtain an import permit for each consignment.

Clearance

Clearance of milk and milk products through Dar es salaam port

Import of milk and milk products is regulated by the Tanzania Diary Board who issue an import permit for each consignment to ascertain the consignment is disease free and is fit for human consumption. For more information on how to clear your consignment of milk and milk products through the port, click on the link.

Full procedure view- for a first time trader

Import of milk and milk products through the port of Dar es Salaam

This procedure sequentially compiles the licences, permits and clearance steps to be fulfilled by a registered business owner importing a consignment of milk and milk products through the port.

Apiary or Bee products

Initial registration and licences

Registration of honey and bee products dealer

All traders who wish to deal with honey or any other apiary product and bee product must be registered by Tanzania Forest Service Agency . This registration is valid for one year.

Permits

Transit pass for apiary or bee products produce (TP)

Transit Pass for forest produce (TP) is a movement permit which allows to the movement of apiary or bee product from one district to the other. The permit is regulated by each region or districts depending with where the apiary or bee product are obtained. The movement permit is valid for 2-6 days depending with the distance.

Import permit for apiary or bee products

For a trader to import bee products or apiary products, you are required to have import permit per consignment issued by Tanzania Forest Service Agency .

Clearance

Clearance of apiary or bee products through Dar es Salaam port

Full procedure view-for a first time trader

Cereals and Legumes

Clearance

Clearance of cereals and legumes through the port of Dar es Salaam

Import of cereals and legumes is regulated by The Ministry of Agriculture who issue permits that regulate procedures for importation of cereals in the country. For more information on how to import your consignment of cereals and legumes through Dar es salaam port, click on the link.

Full procedure view- for a first time trader

Import of cereals and legumes through the port of Dar es Salaam

This procedure sequentially compiles the licences, permits and clearance steps to be fulfilled by a registered business owner importing a consignment of cereals and legumes through the port of Dar es salaam.

Timber

Initial registration and licences

Registration of importers of forest products

Forest produce from trees or grown in a forest or is naturally found in a forest and includes timber, bamboos, baobab powder, canes, charcoal, firewood, fruits, galls, gums and honey. Registration of forest produce dealer is regulated by the Tanzania Forest Service Agency who will issue registration certificate. The certificate is valid for one calendar year.

Registration of timber yard

Registration of forest produce dealer is regulated by the Tanzania Forest Service Agency who issues a registration certificate. The certificate is valid for one calendar year.

Permit

Timber import permit

Timber import permit allows an importer to import certain amount of timber with specified grades. The permit is issued by Tanzania Forest Agency and is valid for a period of sixty days only and is used once for a single shipment.

Clearance

Clearance of timber through the port of Dar

Import of timber is regulated by Tanzania Forest Services Agency (TFS) who issue product registration certificates for all new products, licences & certificates, and import permits per consignment. For more information on how to import your consignment of timber through Dar es salaam port, click on the link.

Full procedure view-for a first time trader

Import of timber through port of Dar es salaam

This procedure sequentially compiles the licences, permits and clearance steps to be fulfilled by a registered business owner importing a consignment of timber through Dar es salaam port.

Tea

Initial registration and licences

Tea blending and packaging

A tea blending and packing licence issued by Tea Board of Tanzania is required to a firm wishing to blend and pack tea. This licence has validity of one year.

Permits

Tea import permit

Tea import permit issued by Tea Board of Tanzania is required when the firm wishes to import processed tea to Tanzania. The permit is per declared consignment.

Clearance

Clearance of tea through Dar es salaam port

Import of tea is mainly regulated by Tea Board of Tanzania (TBT) who issue licences and permits for traders importing tea into Tanzania. Most tea is imported through Dar es salaam port and clearance is done by contracted clearing and forwarding agent. Click on the link for a step by step guide on clearance of tea through Dar es salaam port.

Full procedure view- for a first time trader

Import of tea through Dar es salaam port

This procedure sequentially compiles the licenses, permits and clearance steps to be fulfilled by a registered business owner importing a consignment of tea for the first time into Tanzania, via Dar es salaam port.

Medicine-Zanzibar

Initial registration and licences

Registration of premise

Registration of premises for wholesale medicine

Registration of medicine

Product registration is mandatory for all medicine products imported into Zanzibar. The Zanzibar Food and Drug Agency issues the traders with a product registration certificate upon successful product evaluation.

Permit

Medicines import permit

Medicine import permit is issued by Zanzibar Food and Drug Agency (ZFDA) to a firm / trader who wishes to import registered medicine. To access online service as medicine importer, applicants are required to register with Zanzibar Food and Drug Agency(ZFDA) service online portal . The applicants are then issued with user credentials which enables them to log in and access the portal.

Clearance

Clearance through the port of Zanzibar

Import of medicine is regulated by Zanzibar Food and Drug Agency (ZFDA) who issue product registration certificates for all new products, licences & certificates, and import permits per consignment. For more information on how to import your consignment of medicine through Zanzibar port, click on the link.

Full procedure view-for a first time trader

Import medicine through Zanzibar port

This procedure sequentially compiles the licences, permits and clearance steps to be fulfilled by a registered business owner importing a consignment of medicine through the Zanzibar port.

Processed food- Zanzibar

Initial registrations and licences

Registration of premises for food stuff

All traders who intend to deal with distribution and storage of food products must have their premises registered. The registration certificate is only issued to registered medicine dealers and is regulated by the Zanzibar Food and Drug Agency (ZFDA)

Registration of food stuff

Registration of food stuff Importer

Permits

Food import permit

The Ministry of Trade and Industry through it Agency registered of food importer shall be required to apply for import permits from Zanzibar Food and Drugs Agency

Clearance

Clearance through the port of Zanzibar

Full procedure view-for a first time trader

Import food through Zanzibar port

Fertilizer

Initial registration and licences

Registration and licensing of fertilizer dealer

All fertilizer dealers must be registered by Tanzania Fertilizer Regulatory Authority and obtain fertilizer dealership licence. The licence issued is valid for one year.

Permit

Fertilizer import permit

Fertilizer import permit is given to a trader who wish to import fertilizers. Import of fertilizer is regulated by Tanzania Fertilizer Regulatory Authority(TFRA) who issue import permit for each consignment.

Clearance

Fertilizers import clearance procedure through Dar es Salaam port

Import of fertilizer is regulated by Tanzania Fertilizer Regulatory Authority(TFRA) who issue product registration certificates for all new products, licences & certificates, and import permits per consignment. For more information on how to import your consignment of fertilizer through Dar es salaam port, click on the link.

Full procedure view- for a first time trader

Import fertilizers through port of Dar es salaam

This procedure sequentially compiles the licences, permits and clearance steps to be fulfilled by a registered business owner importing a consignment of fertilizer through the Dar es salaam port.

Fish and fishery products

Initial registrations and licences

Fish and fishery products import licence

All importers of fish and fishery products must have import licence and their premises must be registered by Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. All registered premises must have certificate of approval. The licence is renewable annually.

Permits

Fish import permit

Clearance

Clearance of goods through Dar es Salaam port

Full procedure view- for a first time trader

Spices

Clearance

Clearance of spices through Dar es Salaam port

Import of spices is regulated by The Ministry of Agriculture who issue permits that regulate procedures for importation of spices in the country. For more information on how to import your consignment of spices through Dar es salaam port, click on the link

Full procedure view- for a first time trader

Import of spices through the port of Dar es Salaam

This procedure sequentially compiles the licences, permits and clearance steps to be fulfilled by a registered business owner importing a consignment of spices through the port of Dar es salaam.

Avocado

Clearance

Clearance of avocado through JNIA

Import of avocado is regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture who approval a phytosanitary certificate for each consignment to ascertain the consignment is disease free and is fit for human consumption. For more information on how to clear your consignment of avocado through JNIA, click on the link.

Full procedure view-for a first time trader

Import of avocado through JNIA

This procedure sequentially compiles the licences, permits and clearance steps to be fulfilled by a registered business owner importing a consignment of avocado through JNIA.

Cocoa

Clearance

Clearance of goods through Dar es Salaam port

Motorcycle

Spare parts (motorcycles) import clearance procedure through the port of Dar es Salaam

All imported motorcycles must be accompanied by a Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) (partners) inspection companies in the country of origin.

Animal feeds

Permit

Tobacco

Initial registration and licences

Registration of tobacco importer

A business wishing to import dry leaf tobacco must be registered and obtain a registration certificate. Import of dry leaf tobacco is regulated by Tanzania Tobacco Board who issues the tobacco import registration certificate. The registration has unlimited validity.

Dry leaf tobacco import licence

Green leaf tobacco import license

Permits

Tobacco import permit

Clearance

Full procedure (for a first time trader)

Spare parts

Spare parts (bicycles) import clearance procedures