Agencies
Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA)
Short answer
- Law
- Ports Act No. 17 of 2004 1
- Model
- Landlord and operator 1
- Major sea ports
- Dar es Salaam, Tanga, Mtwara 1
- Payment portal
- TePP, control number paid by bank or mobile money 3
- Tariffs
- Sea Port and Lake Ports tariff books on the TPA site 6
- Toll-free line
- 0800-110032 1
Role and legal basis
TPA describes itself as a landlord port authority set up under the Ports Act No. 17 of 2004. It acts as landlord and operator and can grant licences and concessions for port services by contract 1.
Its listed functions include running a system of harbours, providing harbour services, building new harbours with ministerial approval, maintaining navigational aids, running stevedoring, wharfage and lighterage, and storing goods as a warehouseman 1.
Ports and offices
- Major sea ports: Dar es Salaam, Tanga and Mtwara 1.
- Smaller sea ports: Kilwa, Lindi, Mafia, Pangani and Bagamoyo 1.
- Lake ports on Lake Victoria, Lake Tanganyika and Lake Nyasa, plus dry ports 1.
- Country offices in the DRC (Lubumbashi and Kolwezi), Burundi, Zambia, Uganda, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and Malawi (Lilongwe) 2.
- TPA says its ports serve Zambia, DRC, Burundi, Rwanda, Malawi, Uganda and Zimbabwe 1.
E-port systems
TPA lists e-port services named TePP, POAS and TOS, a tariff calculator and a shipping list 2. TePP is the TPA Electronic Payment Portal, where agents upload documents to generate a port charges invoice 3. TPA publishes a Sea Port tariff book and a Lake Ports tariff book as PDFs 6. This guide quotes no charges, as the tariff book text could not be read 6.
Import and export at the port
TPA's FAQ says clearing starts when the owner gives shipping documents to a registered clearing and forwarding agent, who lodges them with TPA and TRA 5.
| Step | Import | Export |
|---|---|---|
| 1 3,4 | Customer gives the bill of lading to a registered clearing agent 3 | Customer gives export documents to a registered clearing agent 4 |
| 2 3,4 | Agent pays customs charges and gets a release order from the shipping agent 3 | Agent lodges the export declaration in TANCIS and TRA issues a release order 4 |
| 3 3,4 | Agent uploads bill of lading, delivery order and release order to TePP 3 | Agent submits shipping order, release order and loading permission to the TPA export office 4 |
| 4 3,4 | TPA invoice shows a control number, paid by bank or mobile money 3 | TPA issues an invoice and port charges are paid 4 |
| 5 3,4 | Agent announces the truck and gets a gate-in ticket 3 | Agent announces the truck and gets a gate-in ticket 4 |
| 6 3,4 | Gate checks, then cargo released to the agent 3 | Cargo delivered to port and loaded on the vessel 4 |
DP World concession
DP World said on 22 October 2023 that it had signed a 30-year concession to operate and modernise the multi-purpose Dar es Salaam port, with TPA Director General Plasduce Mbossa signing for TPA 7. DP World said it would invest at least US$250 million at first, possibly rising to US$1 billion over the concession (company statement) 7. Transport Minister Makame Mbarawa said TPA would be a shareholder of the concessionaire and there would be no job losses at TPA, according to DP World 7. DP World's release did not name the berths 7.
Inland container depots near the port need a TASAC licence and must be at least 30 km from the port terminal for new applicants, under TRA licensing rules 8.
Common questions
How do I pay Tanzania Ports Authority charges?
Get the invoice on TePP. It carries a control number you pay through a bank or mobile money 3.
Which law set up the Tanzania Ports Authority?
The Ports Act No. 17 of 2004 1.
Can I clear cargo at Dar es Salaam port myself?
TPA says owners give shipping documents to a registered clearing and forwarding agent 5.
Who runs Dar es Salaam port under the DP World deal?
DP World signed a 30-year concession with TPA in October 2023 to run the multi-purpose port, according to DP World 7.
Where are TPA port tariffs published?
In the Sea Port and Lake Ports tariff books on the TPA website 6.
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 Ports Authority: Overview (accessed 24 October 2026)
- Tanzania Ports Authority: Home page (accessed 24 October 2026)
- Tanzania Ports Authority: Import Process (accessed 24 October 2026)
- Tanzania Ports Authority: Export Process (accessed 24 October 2026)
- Tanzania Ports Authority: FAQ (accessed 24 October 2026)
- Tanzania Ports Authority: Sea Port Tariff Book (accessed 24 October 2026)
- DP World: DP World signs 30-year concession to operate multi-purpose Dar es Salaam port in Tanzania, company statement (22 October 2023)
- Tanzania Revenue Authority: Customs Licencing (accessed 24 October 2026)
Related
- Cargo release at Dar es Salaam port
How imported cargo leaves Dar es Salaam port: Release Order, Delivery Order, TePP invoice, Gate-in-Ticket, storage charges and operators.
- GePG control numbers and government payments in Tanzania
How the Government e-Payment Gateway works, how to pay a bill with a control number by bank or mobile money, the legal basis and audit findings.
- 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.
- Electronic cargo tracking for transit goods in Tanzania
The TRA Electronic Cargo Tracking System for transit cargo, the regional RECTS of Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda, and transporter licences.
- Transit cargo to Zambia and the DRC through Tanzania
Customs rules, port storage terms, border posts and recent volumes for transit cargo moving from Dar es Salaam to Zambia and the DRC.