Customs and clearing
Customs agent licence for clearing and forwarding in Tanzania
Short answer
- Licensing body
- Commissioner for Customs and Excise, TRA 1
- How to apply
- Online through TANCIS 2
- Application fee
- US$50, non-refundable 2
- Licence fee
- US$400 after passing the interview 2
- Customs bond, new agents
- TZS 100,000,000 2
- Call for 2027 licences
- Public notice dated 30 September 2026 3
General documents
TRA lists these general conditions for all customs licence categories 2.
- Company TIN certificate and the TIN of each director 2
- VAT registration certificate, if any, and a tax clearance certificate for the current year 2
- Certified memorandum and articles of association and certificate of incorporation, for new applicants 2
- Certified passport photos and valid ID such as a NIDA card, passport or voter ID 2
- A guarantor letter for the bond security 2
- A title deed or lease for an office with computers that can connect to TANCIS 2
- A BRELA letter on the current directors and shareholders 2
Agent conditions and the interview
Only shortlisted applicants are contacted through TANCIS and a public notice for a written interview. A person who has sat the interview for one licensed company cannot sit it for another 2.
- A company password, applied for on form F-ITD-067-B 2
- Form C.20 signed by a director 2
- At least two clearance staff with a diploma or certificate in customs management, or five years of customs experience 2
- An interviewee who is a director or permanent staff member and holds the East African Customs Clearing and Freight Forwarding Practicing Certificate 2
- A sworn declaration that no director is tied to a licence revoked in the last five years, no director or shareholder is a TRA employee and the company does not act as a shipping agent at Mainland sea or inland waterway ports 2
Renewal
A renewing agent pays the US$50 application fee and attaches a TASAC clearing and forwarding registration certificate, proof of membership in a recognised clearing and forwarding association and the previous year's customs licence 2. Renewal is refused where customs matters are outstanding, such as audit queries or unpaid TANSADs 2.
How long a licence lasts
TRA pages give two different periods. TRA's customs licencing page, which carries no date and was read on 24 October 2026, says all licences are valid for twelve months from the date of issue. It names the law as the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2023 2. TRA's clearing and forwarding agents page, which carries no date, is headed with the list of 2024 licensed agents and was read on 24 October 2026, says licences are valid for a calendar year, 1 January to 31 December. It names the law as the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004 1. TRA invited applications for 2027 licences in a public notice dated 30 September 2026 3.
The EAC text carries the short title East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004, and its index lists section 145 as the section on licensing of agents 4.
Other customs licences
| Licence | Bond or fee |
|---|---|
| Private customs bonded warehouse 2 | Bond of at least TZS 500,000,000 2 |
| General customs bonded warehouse 2 | Bond of at least TZS 1,000,000,000 2 |
| Manufacture under bond 2 | Bond of at least TZS 2,000,000,000 2 |
| Transporter of goods under customs control, C.28 or C.40 2 | Bond of TZS 10,000,000, or TZS 50,000,000 for both, and US$200 per carrying unit 2 |
| Inland container depot or container freight station 2 | Bond of at least TZS 500,000,000 (CB2) or TZS 2,000,000,000 (CB13) 2 |
Agents and the port
TPA tells importers to pick a registered agent from the TRA list for the year 5. Tanzania told the WTO that 877 of 1,268 clearing and forwarding agents were registered in the single window system 6.
Common questions
How much does a clearing agent licence cost in Tanzania?
A US$50 application fee and a US$400 licence fee, plus a TZS 100,000,000 customs bond for new agents 2.
Where do I apply for a customs agent licence?
New and renewal applications are made online through TANCIS 2.
What certificate does the interviewee need?
The East African Customs Clearing and Freight Forwarding Practicing Certificate 2.
Can a shipping agent hold a clearing licence?
The applicant must declare that it is not involved in shipping agency services at Mainland sea or inland waterway ports 2.
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 Revenue Authority: Clearing and forwarding agents (accessed 24 October 2026)
- Tanzania Revenue Authority: Customs licencing (accessed 24 October 2026)
- Tanzania Revenue Authority: Home page and public notices list (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)
- Tanzania Ports Authority: Import process (accessed 24 October 2026)
- WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Database: Tanzania, Article 10.4 Single Window, technical assistance record (accessed 24 October 2026)
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- The EAC Customs Management Act, 2004 and Tanzania
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