Overview​

When a vessel arrives at Dar es Salaam port (or a consignment arrives at a land border crossing), the importer or their clearing agent must complete a formal customs clearance process with Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) before goods can be collected.

The process typically takes 3–10 working days depending on the nature of the goods, the completeness of documentation, and whether the shipment is selected for physical inspection.

Step 1: Obtain shipping documents​

Before lodging any declaration, you need the core shipping documents from the supplier and shipping line:

Step 2: Prepare the TANSAD​

The Tanzania Single Administrative Document (TANSAD) is the official customs entry form. It contains:

• Importer and exporter details (including TIN)
• Description of goods and HS tariff classification codes
• Country of origin
• Invoice value (in foreign currency and TZS equivalent)
• Duty calculation
• Port of entry and customs office

The TANSAD is prepared using TRA's TANCIS (Tanzania Customs Integrated System) platform.

Step 3: Calculate and verify duties​

Import duties in Tanzania are calculated on the CIF value — Cost + Insurance + Freight — converted to TZS at TRA's published exchange rate.

Common duty rates:

• 0% — COMESA originating goods with valid Certificate of Origin
• 0–10% — Raw materials and capital goods
• 25% — Finished consumer goods

VAT at 18% applies to the duty-inclusive CIF value for most goods.

Step 4: Lodge the declaration​

Submit the completed TANSAD electronically through TANCIS. TRA will assign a declaration number and route it for processing.

Assessment: TRA reviews the declaration, verifies the valuation, and confirms duties payable. This typically takes 1–3 working days.

Step 5: Pay duties​

Once the assessment is finalised, pay the duties through TRA-approved banks or via the TANCIS payment portal. Obtain the official payment receipt.

Step 6: Physical inspection (if selected)​

TRA uses a risk-based system to select shipments for physical inspection. If your consignment is selected:

• A TRA examiner will physically verify the goods against the declaration
• This adds 2–4 working days to the process
• Ensure the goods match exactly what is declared — discrepancies lead to penalties

Step 7: Obtain the Release Order​

With duties paid and any inspection completed, TRA issues a Customs Release Order authorising the port to release the containers.

You also need a Shipping Line Release from the vessel's agent — issued after all freight charges are settled.

Step 8: Collect from the port​

Present the TRA Release Order and Shipping Line Release at the port terminal to collect your containers.

Common delays and how to avoid them​

How ERP Tanzania helps​

ERP Tanzania's Clearing module tracks every declaration through all seven stages — Draft, Lodged, Assessment, Paid, Released, Delivered, Closed — with a document checklist to ensure nothing is missing before lodgement.

Container numbers, port details, and duty values are all tracked in one place, giving clearing agents and logistics managers full visibility across all active jobs.

Learn more about the Clearing module →

The problem we're solving​

Running a logistics or clearing company in Tanzania means dealing with a set of challenges that most off-the-shelf ERP systems simply weren't built for:

• Multi-currency operations across TZS, USD, ZMW, ZAR, and EUR on every job
• Customs compliance across Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) and cross-border COMESA requirements
• Document tracking — Bills of Lading, TANSAD filings, COMESA Yellow Cards, LATRA permits — across dozens of active jobs simultaneously
• Fleet compliance across SUMATRA, LATRA, and insurance requirements
• Expense management for drivers on the road from Dar to Lusaka to Lubumbashi

Most companies manage this across spreadsheets, WhatsApp threads, and paper files. Things fall through the cracks. Demurrage charges rack up because no one noticed a container wasn't collected. A truck gets stopped at the border because a LATRA permit expired last week.

What eSecured ERP Platform covers​

Logistics — End-to-end job and trip management, from customer engagement through delivery confirmation. Assign trucks, drivers, and routes. Track trip status in real time. Generate VAT-compliant invoices.

Clearing & Freight — A purpose-built customs declaration tracker. Seven-stage lifecycle from Draft through Closed. Document checklist with timestamps. Container tracking. Covers all Tanzania ports and land border crossings.

Fleet Management — Vehicle and driver records with document expiry alerts. Maintenance history. Compliance status at a glance.

Financial Control — Multi-currency expense management, approval workflows, and invoicing with full VAT support.

Who it's for​

eSecured ERP Platform is built for:

• Freight forwarding and clearing companies managing TRA declarations
• Road transport operators running trucks on the Dar es Salaam–Lusaka–Lubumbashi corridor
• Logistics companies handling import/export cargo for mining, manufacturing, and retail clients

Built for Tanzania, hosted in Africa​

The platform runs on Google servers hosted in the Africa region. Data stays on the continent, latency is low, and the platform is designed for the connectivity conditions common across East Africa.

Get started​

Read the documentation or launch the app to request access.