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  • Export Info/Licences

Quick information guide

Checklist for export licenses application:

  • Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Certificate for the Company;
  • Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) Certificate for each Director;
  • VAT Registration Certificate, if any (for new applicants only)
  • Current Tax Clearance Certificate;
  • Certified copy of a valid relevant business license;
  • Memorandum and Articles of Association of the Company (for new applicants only);
  • Certified copy of the Certificate of Incorporation and Business Name Registration Certificate, (for new applicants only);
  • Recent passport size photograph (not more than one megabyte) for each director of the company and at least two competent permanent technical staff who will transact Customs business (for all new applicants and for renewal only where there are changes);
  • A valid identification document for each of the persons referred to in (8) above i.e. National ID, Driving License, Passport or Voter Registration ID (for all new applicants and for renewal only where there are changes);
  • Letter(s) from guarantor(s) confirming annual premium remittances in respect of relevant bond securities (for renewals), or a relevant Customs security bond (for new applicants prior to issuance of license).
  • A certified copy of title deed or lease agreement for a suitable office for the company which should be equipped with computing facilities capable of connecting to the Tanzania Customs Integrated System (TANCIS) – to be subjected to verification prior to granting of license;
  • Non-existence of any outstanding Customs matter i.e. audit query, abandoned TANSADs, outstanding transit transactions or any other unresolved Customs issue (for renewals);

Export information in Tanzania

In order to export from Tanzania, an exporter must possess a valid Business License issued by the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) that has offices in all regions of Tanzania.

For Zanzibar, an exporter must contact the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Marketing for additional information. 

Tanzania exports mainly agricultural commodities such as tobacco, coffee, sesame seeds, cotton, cashew nuts, tea and cloves. The main exports partners are India, Japan, China, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa
 

9 helpful tips to penetrate the export market 
 

  • Expand the size of the enterprise constantly to capture large markets;
  • Meet foreign product set standards;
  • Diversify the product to meet needs of various categories of consumers;
  • Increase production and productivity to meet demand on time;
  • hire skilled staff and pay them well to ensure continued strong network with clients and timely production and supply of quality products;
  • Increase size of the capital to be able to carter for other needs as they arise;
  • Invest in research to know more about market trends, consumer preferences, political issues and others;
  • Expand the size of the market and explore new markets with time; and
  • Become a member of vibrant exporting association for wider networking.

Free of duty and taxes

In Tanzania exports are free of duty and taxes except for 3 items:

  • Raw hides and skins which attract an export duty rate of 80% of FOB value or US$ 0.25 per kg;
     
  • Raw cashew nuts which attract an export duty rate of 15% of FOB value or US$ 160 per metric ton; and 
     
  • Wet blue leather which are levied at the rate of 10% on FOB.

Tanzania Horticultural Association (TAHA) and Department of Trade

support women respectively in mainland and Zanzibar through a range of programmes