CUSTOMS

IMPORT REGULATIONS

Pets

• If you wish to import pets into Tanzania, you will need to obtain an import permit. Application for an import permit shall be made to the Director of Veterinary Services that provides information about the pet, such as their type, breed, colour, age, sex, vaccination history and country of origin.
• Before arrival, animals should be sprayed against pests, vaccinated against a specified list of diseases and should be accompanied by a Veterinary Health Certificate signed by an Official Veterinarian from the country of origin.
• Upon arrival, animals should be transported to a quarantine station or approved holding ground and held for a specified period.
• A movement permit for the release of the animals from the quarantine facility should be issued by the Director of Veterinary Services.

For more information, please visit the Tanzania Trade Portal website.

Free to Import

Tobacco (restricted to travellers 18 years and over)

• 250 grams total of any tobacco products.

Alcohol (restricted to travellers 18 years and over)

One of the following:

• 1 litre of spirits; or
• 2 litres of wine.

Other Goods

• 500mL total of perfume and eau de toilette, of which not more than 125mL may be perfume.
• Personal goods.

Prohibited

The following are goods which cannot be brought into the country.

• Counterfeit currency and goods.
• Pornographic and obscene media.
• Matches manufactured with white phosphorus.
• Any article made without proper authority which bears the Armorial Ensign or Coat of Arms of a partner state.
• Distilled beverages containing essential oils or chemical products which are injurious to health.
• Narcotic drugs under international control.
• Hazardous wastes and their disposal.
• Any product containing mercury.
• Used tyres for light commercial vehicles and passenger cars.
• Some agricultural and industrial chemicals.
• Plastic bags, with the exception of ziploc bags used for toiletries.

Restricted

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to arrival.

• Postal franking machines require a permit granted by a competent authority.
• Traps capable of killing or capturing game animals require a written permit.
• Unwrought precious metals and precious stones.
• Arms and ammunition specified under Chapter 93 of the Customs Nomenclature.
• Ossein and bones treated with acid.
• Other bones and horn - cores unworked, defatted, simply prepared, and waste of these products.
• Ivory, elephant unworked or simply prepared but not cut to shape.
• Teeth, hippopotamus, unworked or simply prepared but not cut to shape.
• Other ivory unworked or simply prepared but cut to shape.
• Ivory powder and waste.
• Tortoise shell, whalebone and whalebone hair, horns antlers, hooves, nails, claws and beaks, unworked or simply prepared but not cut to shape, powder and waste of these products.
• Coral and similar materials, unworked or simply prepared but not otherwise worked shells of molasses, crustaceans  or echinoderms and cattle-bone, unworked or simply prepared but not cut to shape powder and waste thereof.
• Natural sponges of animal origin.
• Spent, irradiated fuel elements of nuclear reactors.
• Worked ivory and articles of ivory.
• Ozone depleting substances.
• Genetically modified products.
• Non-indigenous species of fish or egg of progeny.
• Psychotropic drugs under international control.
• Historical artifacts.
• Telescope sights or other optical devices suitable for use with arms.
• Bows, arrows, fencing foils, or toys under Chapter 95 of the Customs Nomenclature.
• Collectors' pieces or antiques guns and ammunition.
• Endangered animals, plants, and their derivative products protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) may require protected species permits.

EXPORT REGULATIONS

Prohibited

The following are goods which cannot be brought into the country.

• All items on the prohibited import list.

Restricted

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit prior to arrival.

• All goods which are regulated under the EAC Customs Management Act.
• Waste and scrap of ferrous scrap iron.
• Timber from any wood grown in the Partner States of the EAC.
• Fresh unprocessed fish (Nile Perch and Tilapia).
• Wood charcoal.
• Protected species and products protected under CITES may require a permit for export.

For further information, please visit the Tanzania Revenue Authority, and the East African Community Customs Management Act.