Customs and clearing

The EAC Single Customs Territory in Tanzania

Q: Which countries use the SCT on the Central Corridor?

Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda, according to TRA.

Last checked 24 October 2026 · 6 sources

Short answer

Under the East African Community Single Customs Territory (SCT), partner states are treated as one customs territory, so a consignment needs one customs declaration instead of separate transit and import declarations ¹. Duties are assessed and paid for the destination state with goods still at the first point of entry ². TRA says the SCT launched in October 2013 on the Northern Corridor and now runs on the Central Corridor through Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda ¹. The EAC says it commenced in July 2014 ².

Run by: EAC Partner States. TRA applies it in Tanzania ^1,2
Start: October 2013 on the Northern Corridor, per TRA ¹. July 2014, per the EAC ²
Central Corridor states: Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda ¹
Declarations: One declaration per consignment ¹
Where duty is assessed: For the destination state, with goods still at the first point of entry ²
Cargo security: Electronic Cargo Tracking System or a Regional Bond Guarantee ¹
Status: Live, but TRA says the export procedure is not yet fully applied in all countries ¹

What the SCT is

TRA describes the SCT as a stage toward a full customs union. It removes duties and restrictive rules and cuts internal border controls so goods move freely ¹. The partner states are treated as one customs territory ¹.

The EAC says the SCT links the customs systems of partner states so information flows between customs stations. A payment system manages transfers of revenue between partner states ². The EAC calls it the final stage toward a fully fledged customs union ².

When it started

Sources give different start points. They are shown here with their dates.

Source	What it says
TRA SCT page, read 24 October 2026 ¹	Launched in October 2013, first on the Northern Corridor of Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda ¹
EAC SCT page, read 24 October 2026 ²	Commenced in July 2014 ²
EALA press release, 26 August 2014 ³	Piloting began in October 2013 on the Northern Corridor and in June 2014 on the Central Corridor, per the release ³
The New Times, 24 June 2014 ⁴	Central Corridor arrangement from Dar es Salaam effective 1 July, in an article dated 2014 ⁴

TRA procedures by type of goods

Goods made in the EAC: the importer's agent lodges one declaration in Tanzania. Taxes are paid or a bond guarantee is given. The declaration and an exit note go to the destination state for release ¹.
Goods from outside the EAC: these are no longer treated as transit to Rwanda, Burundi or Uganda but as direct imports. One declaration is processed in the destination country, with electronic exchange of manifest data, tax confirmation and release orders ¹.
Warehoused goods move under the Electronic Cargo Tracking System or a Regional Bond Guarantee ¹.
Exports from the EAC: one declaration is processed in the exporting country and sent to the transit country. Goods may carry an electronic seal and a regional bond. The inland border officer confirms exit on arrival. TRA says this is not yet fully applied in all countries ¹.

First goods cleared through Dar es Salaam

In August 2014, TRA Acting Commissioner General Lusekelo Mwaseba told visiting EALA members that petroleum imported into Rwanda and Uganda through Dar es Salaam was cleared under the SCT with no multiple declarations or security bonds ³. He said wheat imported into Burundi and Rwanda was cleared under the SCT procedures ³. He said the scheme cut roadblocks, checkpoints and weighbridge stops ³.

The New Times article, credited to a Times Reporter, said the old system needed two or more customs agents for one cargo ⁴.

Border posts and fees

TRA lists eight working One Stop Border Posts on Tanzania's borders. Seven face Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda. One is Tunduma and Nakonde on the Zambia border ⁵. Goods, people and vehicles stop once for exit and entry checks, and all Tanzanian posts use the juxtaposed model ⁵.

Origin matters for some charges. The Customs Processing Fee in force from 1 July 2026 applies to goods from outside the EAC and to EAC goods that do not meet the EAC Rules of Origin ⁶.

Common questions

When did the Single Customs Territory start in Tanzania?

An EALA release of August 2014 says Central Corridor piloting began in June 2014 ³. The EAC says the SCT commenced in July 2014 ².

Do I need a transit declaration for goods going from Dar es Salaam to Rwanda?

TRA says goods from outside the EAC for Rwanda, Burundi or Uganda are handled as direct imports with one declaration in the destination country ¹.

Which countries use the SCT on the Central Corridor?

Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda, according to TRA ¹.

Is cargo under the SCT tracked?

TRA says warehoused goods move under the Electronic Cargo Tracking System or a Regional Bond Guarantee ¹.

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

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.
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.
The EAC Customs Management Act, 2004 and Tanzania
The East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004 as used by TRA: key sections, editions, and the 2019 and 2025 amendments.
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.
One stop border posts in Tanzania: law, locations and procedures
How Tanzania's one stop border posts work: the EAC One Stop Border Posts Act 2016, the 2017 Regulations, exit before entry, control zones and each post.