Home / Agent centre Customs clearing agent licence What it is Licence to clear goods for importers and exporters 1 Legal basis EAC Customs Management Act. The TRA licensing page writes 2023 1 2 Official page https://www.tra.go.tz/page/customs-licencing 1 Licence period What it is Twelve months from issue, per the undated licensing page read on 24 October 2026 1 2 Legal basis EAC Customs Management Act, written as 2023 on the licensing page 1 2 Official page https://tra.go.tz/index.php/clearing-forwading-agents 2 Online application in TANCIS What it is New and renewal applications are submitted online 1 Official page https://www.tra.go.tz/page/customs-licencing 1 Company password, form F-ITD-067-B What it is New applicants get a company password with this form 1 Official page https://www.tra.go.tz/page/customs-licencing 1 Application form C.20 What it is Application signed by a director, with the general documents 1 Official page https://www.tra.go.tz/page/customs-licencing 1 Application fee What it is US$50, non-refundable, for new and renewal applications 1 ,2 Official page https://www.tra.go.tz/page/customs-licencing 1 Licence fee What it is US$400, paid by a company that passes the interview 1 Official page https://www.tra.go.tz/page/customs-licencing 1 Customs bond What it is TZS 100,000,000, executed after passing the examination. Renewals give a guarantor letter 1 ,2 Issued or run by TRA, through a guarantor 1 Official page https://www.tra.go.tz/page/customs-licencing 1 Qualified clearance staff What it is At least two staff with a customs diploma or certificate, or five years of customs experience 1 Issued or run by Required by TRA 1 Official page https://www.tra.go.tz/page/customs-licencing 1 EACFFPC What it is East African Customs Clearing and Freight Forwarding Practicing Certificate, required for the interviewee 1 Issued or run by Required by TRA 1 Official page https://www.tra.go.tz/page/customs-licencing 1 Written interview What it is Interview for a director or permanent staff member. Shortlisted firms are told through TANCIS and public notice 1 ,2 Official page https://www.tra.go.tz/page/customs-licencing 1 Sworn declaration What it is Before a Commissioner for Oaths: no revoked-licence directors in five years, no TRA staff as directors or shareholders, 24/7 service, no control of a shipping agency 1 Issued or run by Applicant, sworn before a Commissioner for Oaths 1 Official page https://www.tra.go.tz/page/customs-licencing 1 General company documents What it is TIN certificates, tax clearance, incorporation papers, director IDs and photos, BRELA letter and an office able to connect to TANCIS 1 Issued or run by TRA, BRELA 1 Official page https://www.tra.go.tz/page/customs-licencing 1 TASAC registration certificate What it is Certificate of registration for clearing and forwarding, needed for renewal 1 ,2 Official page https://www.tra.go.tz/page/customs-licencing 1 Association membership What it is Proof of membership of a recognised clearing and forwarding association, needed for renewal 1 ,2 Issued or run by Recognised association 1 Official page https://www.tra.go.tz/page/customs-licencing 1 Agent duties What it is Advise importers on procedures, lodge proper documents and keep records as the law requires 2 Issued or run by Licensed agent 2 Legal basis EAC Customs Management Act, 2004 2 Official page https://tra.go.tz/index.php/clearing-forwading-agents 2 Duty to use an agent What it is Importers must appoint a licensed agent to clear goods 5 Legal basis EAC Customs Management Act, 2004 5 Official page https://tra.go.tz/page/import-procedures 5 Yearly list of licensed agents What it is TRA publishes a list of licensed agents. TPA tells customers to choose from the list for the year 2 ,3 Official page https://tra.go.tz/index.php/clearing-forwading-agents 2 TeSWS portal What it is Tanzania told the WTO that all agents are registered and use the TeSWS portal to process clearances 4 Official page https://tfadatabase.org/members/tanzania/technical-assistance-projects/article-10-4 4 TePP port payment portal What it is Agents upload the bill of lading, delivery order and release order to get a TPA invoice with a control number 3 Issued or run by Tanzania Ports Authority 3 Official page https://www.ports.go.tz/index.php/en/services/port-process/import-process 3 Port clearance by agents What it is Cargo owners give shipping documents to a registered agent, who lodges them with TPA and TRA 6 Issued or run by Tanzania Ports Authority 6 Official page https://www.ports.go.tz/index.php/en/faq 6 Transporter licence under customs control What it is Licence for each carrying unit on form C.28 or C.40 at US$200, with a TZS 10,000,000 or TZS 50,000,000 bond and a LATRA carrier licence 1 Issued or run by TRA, LATRA 1 Legal basis EAC Customs Management Regulations 2010 1 Official page https://www.tra.go.tz/page/customs-licencing 1 2027 licence applications What it is TRA public notice dated 30 September 2026 inviting applications for customs licences for 2027. Status: announced 7 Official page https://www.tra.go.tz 7 TASAC registration of clearing and forwarding agents What it is The Corporation must register shippers, shipping agents and clearing and forwarding agents, under section 12(1)(k) 8 Legal basis Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act, 2017, Cap. 415 8 Official page https://www.tasac.go.tz/pages/maritime-transport-regulation 11 Goods only TASAC may clear What it is Section 7(1)(a) of the 2019 Act text lists minerals, petroleum products, firearms and ammunition, live animals, fertilizers, sugar, edible oil, wheat, gas and chemicals 8 9 Issued or run by TASAC 8 ,9 Legal basis Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act, section 7 8 ,9 Official page https://www.tasac.go.tz/services/shipping-business 9 Penalty for breaching the TASAC mandate What it is Fine of at least US$20,000, at least two years in prison, or both, under section 7(3) 8 Issued or run by Courts, on breach of the TASAC mandate 8 Legal basis Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act, section 7(3) 8 Official page https://www.tanzlii.org/akn/tz/act/2017/14 8 Shipping agency licence What it is Application to the TASAC Director General on the prescribed form with the prescribed fee. Licences cannot be transferred 8 Legal basis Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act, section 13 8 Official page https://www.tanzlii.org/akn/tz/act/2017/14 8 Shipping agency ownership rule What it is Applicant must be a Tanzanian citizen or a company with more than 60 percent of shares held by Tanzanian citizens 8 Legal basis Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act, section 13(2) 8 Official page https://www.tanzlii.org/akn/tz/act/2017/14 8 Bar on clearing agents holding a shipping agency licence What it is The Director General must refuse a licence if the applicant or a shareholder is a clearing and forwarding agent, ship owner, operator, charterer or dry port operator 8 Legal basis Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act, section 13(3) 8 Official page https://www.tanzlii.org/akn/tz/act/2017/14 8 Suspension or revocation of a shipping agency licence What it is A 30-day show-cause notice comes first. After suspension or revocation the Corporation takes over the agent's functions until the principal appoints another agent 8 Legal basis Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act, section 14 8 Official page https://www.tanzlii.org/akn/tz/act/2017/14 8 Delivery order fee cap What it is US$15 per bill of lading, VAT exclusive, for licensed shipping agents 10 Legal basis Local Shipping Agency Fees Order, 2023, GN 375 of 26 May 2023 10 Official page https://www.tasac.go.tz/publications/tariffs-for-shipping-business 12 Bill of lading fee cap What it is US$38.14 per bill of lading, VAT exclusive 10 Legal basis GN 375 of 2023 10 Official page https://www.tasac.go.tz/publications/tariffs-for-shipping-business 12 Amendment fee cap What it is US$59.32 per request, VAT exclusive 10 Legal basis GN 375 of 2023 10 Official page https://www.tasac.go.tz/publications/tariffs-for-shipping-business 12 Dry Port Tariff Order, 2026 What it is Tariff order listed by TASAC with the date 22 September 2026 12 16 Legal basis Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act, Cap. 415, section 28(3) 16 Official page https://www.tasac.go.tz/publications/tariffs-for-shipping-business 12 Regulated maritime service providers What it is TASAC lists shipping agents, clearing and forwarding agents and consolidators or de-consolidators among the providers it regulates 11 Legal basis Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act, Cap. 415 11 Official page https://www.tasac.go.tz/pages/maritime-transport-regulation 11 TASAC clearing contacts What it is importcfa@tasac.go.tz for imports, exportcfa@tasac.go.tz for exports, +255 222 127 313 9 Official page https://www.tasac.go.tz/services/shipping-business 9 Identity badge at one stop border posts What it is Facilitation agents must display an identity badge in the control zone 13 Issued or run by Competent authority of each Partner State 13 Legal basis EAC One Stop Border Posts Regulations, 2017, regulations 8 and 9 13 Official page https://www.tra.go.tz/page/one-stop-border-post-osbp 15 Exit before entry at one stop border posts What it is Exit formalities are finished before entry formalities, and entry officers may not act first 14 Issued or run by Border agencies of both states 14 Legal basis EAC One Stop Border Posts Act, 2016, section 12 14 Official page https://www.tra.go.tz/page/one-stop-border-post-osbp 15 Joint inspection at one stop border posts What it is Documents are processed at the same time and inspections done jointly where practical 13 Issued or run by Border agencies of both states 13 Legal basis EAC One Stop Border Posts Regulations, 2017, regulation 6(2) 13 Official page https://www.tra.go.tz/page/one-stop-border-post-osbp 15 Lead agency at each border post What it is Each Partner State names a lead agency for administrative matters at the post 13 Issued or run by Partner State governments 13 Legal basis EAC One Stop Border Posts Regulations, 2017, regulation 3 13 Official page https://www.tra.go.tz/page/one-stop-border-post-osbp 15 Working one stop border posts What it is TRA lists eight: Holili, Sirari, Namanga, Horohoro, Mutukula, Kabanga, Rusumo and Tunduma 15 Official page https://www.tra.go.tz/page/one-stop-border-post-osbp 15 Dry port nomination fee What it is US$10 per bill of lading, payable to the shipping agent 16 Issued or run by TASAC sets the cap 16 Legal basis Dry Port Tariff Order, 2026, GN 257, Schedule C 16 Official page https://www.tasac.go.tz/publications/tariffs-for-shipping-business 12 Late dry port nomination or change What it is US$100 per container when made less than 72 hours ahead, payable to the port terminal operator 16 Issued or run by TASAC sets the cap 16 Legal basis GN 257 of 2026, Schedule C 16 Official page https://www.tasac.go.tz/publications/tariffs-for-shipping-business 12 Customs examination at a dry port What it is Facilitation charge capped at US$90 per TEU and US$140 per FEU for a full container load, paid by the consignee 16 Issued or run by Dry port operator, capped by TASAC 16 Legal basis GN 257 of 2026, Schedule A 16 Official page https://www.tasac.go.tz/publications/tariffs-for-shipping-business 12 Free storage at dry ports What it is At least 7 days for local cargo and at least 15 days for transit containers 16 Issued or run by Dry port operator 16 Legal basis GN 257 of 2026, paragraph 8 16 Official page https://www.tasac.go.tz/publications/tariffs-for-shipping-business 12 Dry port storage after free period What it is US$20 per TEU and US$40 per FEU per day for the first 7 days, then US$40 and US$80 16 Issued or run by Dry port operator, capped by TASAC 16 Legal basis GN 257 of 2026, Schedule A 16 Official page https://www.tasac.go.tz/publications/tariffs-for-shipping-business 12 Currency of dry port bills What it is US dollar tariffs are invoiced and paid in TSh at the rate published by the Bank of Tanzania or a licensed commercial bank on the invoice date 16 Issued or run by Dry port operator 16 Legal basis GN 257 of 2026 16 Official page https://www.tasac.go.tz/publications/tariffs-for-shipping-business 12 Isaka dry port documents What it is Cargo for Isaka needs a through bill of lading or combined transport document naming Isaka 17 Issued or run by Tanzania Railways Corporation 17 Official page https://www.trc.co.tz/pages/dry-ports 17 TRC freight contacts What it is Toll-free 0800 110 042, trc.care@trc.co.tz, P.O. Box 76959, Dar es Salaam 22 Issued or run by Tanzania Railways Corporation 22 Official page https://www.trc.co.tz/pages/freight-services 22 Tobacco licences and permits What it is Licences to buy, process, sell, import and export tobacco and import or export permits, applied for on e-Kilimo 18 Issued or run by Tanzania Tobacco Board 18 Official page https://portal.kilimo.go.tz 18 Produce dealer registration What it is Buyers, sellers, processors, importers, exporters and transporters of cereals and other produce register through the ASDS portal 19 Official page https://asds.kilimo.go.tz 19 Produce import and export permit What it is Permit to import or export cereals and other produce, linked from COPRA to the TeSWS permit page 19 Official page https://tanesw.tra.go.tz/ptle 19 Tea buyer, dealer and broker registration What it is The Tea Board registers tea buyers, dealers and brokers 20 Issued or run by Tea Board of Tanzania 20 Legal basis Tea Act, Cap. 275 21 Official page https://www.teaboard.go.tz 20 Tea export and import permits What it is Tea exports and imports need a Board permit 21 Issued or run by Tea Board of Tanzania 21 Legal basis Tea Act, Cap. 275, sections 22 and 23 21 Official page https://www.teaboard.go.tz 20 Nothing matches. 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Notes Two TRA pages give different licence periods. The licensing page says twelve months from issue and names the law as the EAC Customs Management Act, 2023 1 2 2 TASAC fees for registering clearing and forwarding agents were not found on the TASAC pages read on 24 October 2026 11 Contact: Commissioner General, TRA, 28 Edward Sokoine Drive, Dar es Salaam, +255 22 2116453 1 The TASAC tariff list dates the Dry Port Tariff Order, 2026 to 22 September 2026 12 16 Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@tanzaniatradesystems.com .
Sources Tanzania Revenue Authority: Customs Licencing (accessed 24 October 2026) Tanzania Revenue Authority: Clearing and Forwarding Agents (accessed 24 October 2026) Tanzania Ports Authority: Import Process (accessed 24 October 2026) WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Database: Tanzania, Article 10.4 Single Window (accessed 24 October 2026) Tanzania Revenue Authority: Import Procedures (accessed 24 October 2026) Tanzania Ports Authority: FAQ (accessed 24 October 2026) Tanzania Revenue Authority: Home page notices (accessed 24 October 2026) TanzLII: Tanzania Shipping Agencies Act, 2017 (version of 30 June 2019) Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation: Shipping Business Services Directorate (2 February 2023) Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation: Local Shipping Agency Fees Order, 2023, GN 375 (26 May 2023) Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation: Maritime transport regulation (accessed 24 October 2026) Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation: Tariffs for shipping business (accessed 24 October 2026) Tanzania Revenue Authority: East African Community One Stop Border Posts Regulations, 2017 East African Legislative Assembly: East African Community One Stop Border Posts Act, 2016 (Gazette of 15 April 2016) Tanzania Revenue Authority: One Stop Border Post (OSBP) (accessed 24 October 2026) Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation: Dry Port Tariff Order, 2026, GN 257 (4 September 2026) Tanzania Railways Corporation: Dry ports, Isaka (accessed 24 October 2026) Tanzania Tobacco Board: Leseni na Vibali, licences and permits (accessed 24 October 2026) Cereals and Other Produce Regulatory Authority: Home page (accessed 24 October 2026) Tea Board of Tanzania: Home page (accessed 24 October 2026) TanzLII: Tea Act, Cap. 275 (version of 31 July 2002) Tanzania Railways Corporation: Freight services (accessed 24 October 2026) 