How to Export from Tanzania
A general overview of the journey a Tanzanian exporter follows, from business registration to shipment. Exact requirements vary by commodity, origin (Mainland or Zanzibar), destination market and transport mode — use the commodity guides and Requirements Finder below for the specifics that apply to your shipment.
The general export journey
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Establish exporter eligibility
Register your business (BRELA on the Mainland, BPRA in Zanzibar), obtain a Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) from TRA, register with NSSF, and obtain a business licence (from BRELA for "Schedule A" businesses, or your local Municipality for "Schedule B" businesses).
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Determine commodity-specific requirements
Check whether your commodity has its own board (coffee, cashew, cotton, sisal, tobacco all do) and what licensing, grading or per-shipment permit that board requires beyond general business registration.
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Confirm buyer and destination requirements
Agree the Incoterm, currency and required documents with your buyer, including which type of Certificate of Origin (ordinary or preferential — EAC, SADC, AfCFTA, AGOA) they need. This step covers what Tanzania issues on request; it does not cover what your buyer's own country requires on import — confirm that separately.
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Prepare product and quality documentation
Prepare the Commercial Invoice and Packing List, and arrange any commodity-board grading/quality certificate your product requires before it can be sold for export.
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Obtain permits and certificates
Apply for a Phytosanitary Certificate if you're exporting a plant product, any commodity-board export permit, and — where relevant — TBS quality certification via its Technical Assistance to Exporters service.
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Appoint a Clearing and Forwarding Agent
Tanzanian customs practice requires a licensed Clearing and Forwarding Agent (CFA) to lodge your export declaration — exporters do not self-file in TANCIS. Your CFA also books cargo space with the shipping line or airline.
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Lodge the customs declaration
Your CFA uploads the Commercial Invoice, Packing List, TIN certificate, authorization letter and any commodity-specific certificates into TANCIS (Tanzania Customs Integrated System), generating a TANSAD.
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Customs assessment and release
TRA assesses any applicable export duties/taxes and, once satisfied, issues a Release Order. Relevant government departments approve or reject any attached commodity-specific permits at this stage too.
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Port or airport clearance
For sea freight, your CFA presents documents at the port's export office, which invoices port charges (payable via Tanzania Ports Authority's electronic payment portal, TePP), then obtains a Gate-in-Ticket before the cargo is loaded. Zanzibar-origin cargo moving through Zanzibar Ports Corporation's ports also requires a Zanzibar Maritime Authority stamp on the export documentation.
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Shipment and buyer documentation
The carrier issues a Bill of Lading (sea) or Air Waybill (air); the shipping line submits the export manifest to TRA for final audit and approval. Send the final Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Certificate of Origin and transport document set to your buyer.