Customs and clearing
TANCIS: the Tanzania Customs Integrated System
Short answer
- Full name
- Tanzania Customs Integrated System 1
- Run by
- Tanzania Revenue Authority 3
- Replaced
- ASYCUDA++, in use since 2005 1
- Started
- July 2014, with Dar es Salaam clients first, as reported by The Guardian 2
- Enhanced version
- Launched 20 January 2025 in Dar es Salaam 3
- Linked systems
- 36 institutional systems, according to TRA in January 2025 3
- Legal basis for clearance
- East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004 4
- Status
- Live as of 24 October 2026 on the TRA import procedures page 4
What TANCIS does
TRA describes TANCIS as a web-based system that supports paperless operations 1. It is the system where clearing agents lodge import documents. TRA asks agents to lodge them at least 7 days before goods arrive 4.
TRA says TANCIS was introduced to give it the technology to keep pace with growing trade. The FAQ says the old system and its partly manual processes slowed cargo clearance 5.
At the January 2025 launch, TRA said the enhanced TANCIS supports clearance at ports, airports and border crossings. TRA said it moves work online, lets traders deal with several agencies at once from their own premises and shows taxpayers the duty they owe 3.
History and status
The table lists the dated events found in official records and press reports. Status is as of the date of each source.
| Date | Event | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 1 | ASYCUDA++ comes into use in Tanzania 1 | Historical, replaced by TANCIS 1 |
| July 2014 2 | TANCIS starts with Dar es Salaam customers. About 13 clearing and forwarding companies took part in the pilot 2 | Historical 2 |
| 13 February 2017 6 | The World Customs Organization reports that TANCIS has been in use since 2014 and that its support falls under a Norad project 6 | Live at that date 6 |
| 20 January 2025 3 | TRA launches the enhanced TANCIS and a new website 3 | Live 3 |
Systems linked to TANCIS
TRA lists these TRA systems as interfaced with TANCIS 7. TRA put the total number of linked institutional systems at 36 in January 2025 3.
Who uses TANCIS
An importer must appoint a licensed clearing and forwarding agent. The agent lodges the declaration and supporting papers in TANCIS. The Integrated Query System (IQS) inside TANCIS rejects incomplete declarations 4.
Customs licence applications for agents are made and processed online through TANCIS. Applicants need an office with computers that can connect to TANCIS 8.
Tanzania told the WTO that the enhanced TANCIS forms part of its single window work, with the African Development Bank listed as donor 9.
Audit findings
The Controller and Auditor General's information systems report for FY 2024/25 found that the online application system of the Tanzania Bureau of Standards is not integrated with TANCIS. The report says the system cannot access vessel manifests from TANCIS 10.
The same report found that a Cashewnut Board of Tanzania system is not integrated with TANCIS. It recommended full system-to-system integration of the systems it named 10. No management response on these two points appeared in the part of the report read for this page 10.
Common questions
What does TANCIS stand for?
Tanzania Customs Integrated System 1.
When did TANCIS start?
It started with Dar es Salaam clients in July 2014, as reported by The Guardian 2. An enhanced version launched on 20 January 2025 3.
What system did TANCIS replace?
ASYCUDA++, which had been in use in Tanzania since 2005 1.
Can an importer lodge a declaration in TANCIS without an agent?
TRA says the importer must appoint a licensed clearing and forwarding agent, who lodges documents in TANCIS 4.
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: What is TANCIS (FAQ page, accessed 24 October 2026)
- The Guardian (Tanzania), republished by tralac: It is official, Tanzania Customs Integrated System has started, by Prosper Makene (7 July 2014)
- Tanzania Revenue Authority: TRA has launched the enhanced TANCIS system and new website (20 January 2025)
- Tanzania Revenue Authority: Import procedures (accessed 24 October 2026)
- Tanzania Revenue Authority: Why was TANCIS introduced (FAQ page, accessed 24 October 2026)
- World Customs Organization: Upgraded IT system sustains Customs reform in Tanzania (13 February 2017)
- Tanzania Revenue Authority: Which other TRA systems has TANCIS interfaced with (FAQ page, accessed 24 October 2026)
- Tanzania Revenue Authority: Customs licencing (accessed 24 October 2026)
- WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement Database: Tanzania, Article 10.4 Single Window, technical assistance record (accessed 24 October 2026)
- National Audit Office of Tanzania: Annual General Report for Audit of Information Systems, FY 2024/25 (30 March 2026)
Related
- Tanzania Electronic Single Window System (TeSWS)
The status of TeSWS by phase, the WTO deadline, agencies and agents onboarded, the donor, and how it relates to TANCIS and the Zanzibar single window.
- How customs clearance works in Tanzania
The steps to clear imported goods in Tanzania, from appointing a licensed agent and lodging in TANCIS to paying port charges and collecting cargo.
- Customs agent licence for clearing and forwarding in Tanzania
TRA requirements, fees and bond for a customs clearing agent licence in Tanzania, with renewal rules, the interview and the licence period.
- Tanzania Revenue Authority customs
The customs role of the Tanzania Revenue Authority: TANCIS and TeSWS, import and export steps, licences and fees, and one stop border posts.
- CAG findings on Tanzania's trade and revenue systems
Controller and Auditor General findings on EFDs, revenue collection, ICT systems and cooperative audits in Tanzania, with dates and official responses.