Customs and clearing
Cargo release at Dar es Salaam port
Short answer
- Port authority
- Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) 1
- Payment portal
- TPA Electronic Payment Portal (TePP) 1
- Documents for release
- Bill of lading, Delivery Order, Release Order 1
- Payment
- Bank or mobile money with a control number 1
- Free storage
- 5 days local import, 15 days transit import containers 2
- Tariff in force
- Deep Sea Tariff Book dated January 2026 2
- Share of trade
- About 95% of Tanzania international trade, per TPA 3
The release steps
- The importer picks a registered clearing agent from the TRA list for the year and hands over the bill of lading 1.
- The agent pays customs charges and gets a Release Order from the shipping agent 1.
- The agent gets a Delivery Order from the shipping agent 1.
- The bill of lading, Delivery Order and Release Order are uploaded to TePP to generate a port charges invoice 1.
- The invoice shows a control number, the bill of lading number and the TANSAD number. It can be paid at a bank or by mobile money 1.
- The agent announces the truck and driver in the cargo system and gets a Gate-in-Ticket 1.
- Cargo is checked at the port gate and released to the agent 1.
Storage charges after the free period
The January 2026 tariff book says it takes effect as set out in Government Gazette No. 3 of 2026 2. Clause 20 sets these daily container charges 2.
| Container | Free days | Then, per day | After that, per day |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local import, 20 ft or less 2 | 5 2 | US$20 for days 6 to 15 2 | US$40 2 |
| Local import, over 20 ft 2 | 5 2 | US$40 for days 6 to 15 2 | US$80 2 |
| Transit import, 20 ft or less 2 | 15 2 | US$20 for days 16 to 21 2 | US$40 2 |
| Transit import, over 20 ft 2 | 15 2 | US$40 for days 16 to 21 2 | US$80 2 |
Customs law on removal
Under section 34(5) of the EAC Customs Management Act, entered goods not removed from the first point of entry within fourteen days of entry become liable to customs warehouse rent 4.
The port and its operators
TPA gives Dar es Salaam port a rated capacity of 14.1 million tonnes of dry cargo and 6.0 million tonnes of bulk liquid cargo. The text cites a quay of about 2,600 metres with eleven deep-water berths. The table on the same page lists 12 berths 3.
Reuters reported that Tanzania signed agreements with DP World on 22 October 2023. TPA director general Plasduce Mbossa said the contract runs for 30 years with performance reviews every five years. Reuters reported that DP World would operate berths four to seven and invest US$250 million over five years 5. Reuters reported opposition to the deal from the Catholic church, lawyers, activists and opposition politicians 5.
TPA lists TePP and a tariff calculator among its e-Port services 6.
Common questions
What is a Release Order at Dar port?
It is the document the agent gets from the shipping agent after paying customs charges 1.
How do I pay port charges at Dar es Salaam?
Through the TePP invoice, using its control number at a bank or by mobile money 1.
How many free storage days are there for containers?
5 days for local imports and 15 days for transit imports 2.
Who operates berths at Dar es Salaam port?
Reuters reported in October 2023 that DP World would operate berths four to seven for 30 years 5.
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 Ports Authority: Import process (accessed 24 October 2026)
- Tanzania Ports Authority: Deep Sea Tariff Book (January 2026)
- Tanzania Ports Authority: Dar es Salaam Ports (accessed 24 October 2026)
- East African Community: East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004, Revised Edition 2011, copy hosted by Rwanda Revenue Authority (June 2011)
- Reuters, published by gCaptain: Tanzania signs deals with DP World to operate Dar es Salaam port (22 October 2023)
- Tanzania Ports Authority: Home page and e-Port services (accessed 24 October 2026)
Related
- How customs clearance works in Tanzania
The steps to clear imported goods in Tanzania, from appointing a licensed agent and lodging in TANCIS to paying port charges and collecting cargo.
- Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA)
What the Tanzania Ports Authority does: legal basis, ports run, e-port systems, import and export steps, port charge payment and the DP World concession.
- GePG control numbers and government payments in Tanzania
How the Government e-Payment Gateway works, how to pay a bill with a control number by bank or mobile money, the legal basis and audit findings.
- Customs agent licence for clearing and forwarding in Tanzania
TRA requirements, fees and bond for a customs clearing agent licence in Tanzania, with renewal rules, the interview and the licence period.
- Transit cargo to Zambia and the DRC through Tanzania
Customs rules, port storage terms, border posts and recent volumes for transit cargo moving from Dar es Salaam to Zambia and the DRC.
- SGR freight and dry port cargo in Tanzania
Cargo on Tanzania's standard gauge railway and inland dry ports: Kwala, Ihumwa and Isaka, the SGR container service from February 2026, and dry port rules.