# Tanzania (TZ)

**Capital:** Dodoma  
**Currency:** Tanzanian shilling (TZS) (TZS)  
**Population:** 68,560,157 — Older stored figure; source year not documented.  
**Area:** 947,303 km²

> Tanzania, with the port of Dar es Salaam handling about 95 percent of foreign trade, is East Africa's key seaport and transit hub for the landlocked countries Zambia, DR Congo, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda. As an EAC member it applies the EAC customs union with external tariffs of 0, 10, 25 and 35 percent; import VAT is 18 percent. Clearance is electronic via TANCIS (mainland) and ASYCUDA++ (Zanzibar). Road, the new standard gauge railway (SGR) and the TAZARA line to Zambia connect port and hinterland.

Tanzania (ISO code: TZ) lies in East Africa, bordering Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique, with a long Indian Ocean coastline. It is a presidential republic whose capital is Dodoma. The economy rests on agriculture, mining (notably gold), energy, tourism and services. Exports are dominated by gold, agricultural goods such as coffee, cashew nuts, tobacco and cotton, and minerals, while machinery, vehicles, petroleum products and consumer goods are imported. Logistically Tanzania is the gateway and transit hub for the region's landlocked countries: the port of Dar es Salaam handles around 95 percent of foreign trade, complemented by Tanga, Mtwara and the lake ports. As an East African Community member it applies the EAC customs union and a standard import VAT of 18 percent. The currency is the Tanzanian shilling (TZS).

**Top Import Partners:** CN, AE, IN, ZA, JP

**Top Export Partners:** IN, CN, AE, JP, DE

**Top Import Goods:** Petroleum products, Machinery, Vehicles, Chemicals, Consumer goods

**Top Export Goods:** Gold, Coffee, Cashew nuts, Tobacco, Cotton

**Key Airports:**
- [Abeid Amani Karume International Airport (ZNZ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/abeid-amani-karume-international-airport-znz)
- [Julius Nyerere International Airport (DAR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/julius-nyerere-international-airport-dar)
- [Arusha Airport (ARK)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/arusha-airport-ark)
- [Dodoma Airport (DOD)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/dodoma-airport-dod)
- [Iringa Airport (IRI)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/iringa-airport-iri)
- [Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/kilimanjaro-international-airport-jro)
- [Lake Manyara Airport (LKY)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/lake-manyara-airport-lky)
- [Mtwara Airport (MYW)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/mtwara-airport-myw)
- [Mwanza Airport (MWZ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/mwanza-airport-mwz)
- [Pemba Airport (PMA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/pemba-airport-pma)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** Import VAT standard rate 18 percent on CIF plus import duty  
**Customs complexity:** medium to high  
**Customs system:** Mainland imports are cleared electronically via TANCIS, Zanzibar via ASYCUDA++. Legal basis EACCMA 2004; declaration by a licensed freight forwarder, documents at least 7 days before the vessel's arrival.  
**Customs authority:** [Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), Customs and Excise Department](https://www.tra.go.tz)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** East African transit and port hub  
**Economic area:** EAC Customs Union / SADC / AfCFTA  
**Logistics risk:** medium  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** medium  
**Pharma/cold chain:** medium

## FAQ

### What is the import VAT rate in Tanzania?

The standard VAT rate is 18 percent and is levied on the customs value (CIF) plus import duty. Exports are zero-rated at 0 percent. The VAT deferment on import VAT for capital goods ends from 30. June 2026.

### Which customs system does Tanzania use?

On the mainland, clearance is handled electronically via TANCIS (Tanzania Customs Integrated System), and in Zanzibar via ASYCUDA++. The legal basis is the EAC Customs Management Act (EACCMA) 2004.

### Which import duties apply in Tanzania?

As a member of the EAC Customs Union, Tanzania applies the Common External Tariff (CET): 0 percent for raw materials, 10 percent for semi-finished goods, 25 percent for finished goods, and a fourth band of 35 percent for sensitive goods. Goods originating in the EAC are duty-free.

### Through which port does Tanzania's foreign trade run?

The port of Dar es Salaam handles around 95 percent of foreign trade and also serves as a transit port for the landlocked countries Zambia, DR Congo, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda. Other ports are Tanga, Mtwara and Zanzibar, as well as seaports on the Great Lakes.

### Which free trade agreements does Tanzania have?

Tanzania is part of the EAC Customs Union and SADC and has ratified the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The Tripartite Free Trade Area COMESA-EAC-SADC has been in force since July 2024, but has not yet been ratified by Tanzania. There is no free trade agreement with Switzerland/EFTA or the EU.

### How is Tanzania connected by rail?

The new electric standard-gauge railway (SGR) has connected Dar es Salaam with Morogoro and Dodoma since July 2024 (freight traffic from June 2025). In addition, there is the metre-gauge central line to Kigoma/Mwanza and the TAZARA line to Zambia, which has been undergoing modernisation since 2025.

### Which documents are required for imports?

Commonly required are the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, the TANCIS import declaration, a certificate of origin, as well as product-related licences and permits (for example from TBS or TMDA). The declaration is made by a licensed freight forwarder, ideally at least 7 days before the vessel's arrival.

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://www.tra.go.tz](https://www.tra.go.tz)
- [https://www.tra.go.tz/page/value-added-tax-vat](https://www.tra.go.tz/page/value-added-tax-vat)
- [https://tra.go.tz/index.php/102-import-procedure](https://tra.go.tz/index.php/102-import-procedure)
- [https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/tanzania-import-tariffs](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/tanzania-import-tariffs)
- [https://www.eac.int/press-releases/157-trade/2424-eac-ministers-adopt-35-as-the-eac-cet-4th-band](https://www.eac.int/press-releases/157-trade/2424-eac-ministers-adopt-35-as-the-eac-cet-4th-band)
- [https://www.tra.go.tz/images/uploads/pages/Tariff_CET_2022_Version_25072022_1.pdf](https://www.tra.go.tz/images/uploads/pages/Tariff_CET_2022_Version_25072022_1.pdf)
- [https://www.ports.go.tz/index.php/en/ports/dar-es-salaam-ports](https://www.ports.go.tz/index.php/en/ports/dar-es-salaam-ports)
- [https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/tanzania-trade-agreements](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/tanzania-trade-agreements)

*Last verified: 2026-06-30*

---

*Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/tz](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/tz)*

*Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/tz](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/country/en/tz)*