Crops and cooperatives
Warehouse receipt system in Tanzania
Short answer
- Regulator
- Warehouse Receipt Regulatory Board (WRRB), Ministry of Industry and Trade 1
- Law
- Warehouse Receipts Act No. 10 of 2005, amended by Act No. 3 of 2015 1
- Regulations
- Warehouse Receipts Regulations, 2016, GN 109 2
- Licences
- Warehouse operator, collateral manager, inspection 2
- Online system
- WRMS online service for goods received in warehouses, linked from the WRRB site 1
- Status
- Live, per WRRB site read on 24 October 2026 1
Legal basis and who runs it
WRRB is an institution under the Ministry of Industry and Trade. It was set up under the Warehouse Receipts Act No. 10 of 2005, amended by Act No. 3 of 2015 1. The Act applies on Mainland Tanzania to all agricultural commodities and to other goods the Minister declares by Gazette order 3. The Act text summarised in the UN LEAP legal database names the licensing body as the Tanzania Warehouse Licensing Board 3.
The Warehouse Receipts Regulations, 2016 were made as GN 109 of 2016 under section 79 of the Act, Cap. 339. They revoked the 2006 Regulations 2.
How the system works
- The Board licenses warehouse operators, collateral managers and inspectors. Applicants use Form A 2.
- The Board publishes each application within seven days. Objections are due within fourteen days of publication 2.
- A licence lasts no more than twelve months. Renewal applications are due within 45 days before expiry 2.
- Warehouses are graded A, B or C on a 100-point score. Grade A needs 75 points or more 2.
- The operator receives the crop and issues a receipt in triplicate: Certificate of Title, Certificate of Pledge and Book Copy 2.
- The Board may set the contents of electronic receipts 2. The WRRB site links to an online WRMS service for goods received in warehouses 1.
- Depositors may sell according to government procedures 2. All payments must go through a financial institution, and depositors must give their account details to buyers 2.
Official fees and bonds
Inspection fees, training charges, lien and storage charges are set by the Board. Warehouse charges need Board approval 2. Fees may have changed after 2016. Check with WRRB before paying 1.
| Item | Amount in the 2016 Regulations |
|---|---|
| Application fee, each licence type 2 | TShs 20,000 2 |
| Inspector licence 2 | TShs 200,000 per year 2 |
| Receipt administration fee, operator 2 | TShs 1.00 per kg 2 |
| Receipt administration fee, depositor 2 | TShs 0.50 per kg 2 |
| Receipt administration fee, buyer 2 | TShs 0.50 per kg 2 |
| Minimum cash or bank guarantee bond, Grade A, B, C 2 | TShs 20,000,000, TShs 5,000,000, TShs 1,000,000 2 |
| Minimum landed property bond, Grade A, B, C 2 | TShs 50,000,000, TShs 12,500,000, TShs 2,500,000 2 |
Crops in the system
Most news on the WRRB home page concerns cashew. WRRB publishes trade guidelines for pigeon peas, chickpeas, soybeans and sesame, guidelines on raw cashew marketing for 2023-2024 and guidelines for legumes for 2023/2024 1. WRRB has met the Mining Commission on trading minerals through the system 1.
WRRB reported on 17 October 2026 that 29,980,457 kg of cashew had been sold through the system in Mtwara 1. Receipted lots are sold on the Tanzania Mercantile Exchange, which groups receipts into auction lots, according to the exchange 4.
Collateral managers and inspectors
A collateral manager must be licensed under section 39A of the Act. Duties include tallying and grading goods, issuing or certifying receipts, keeping goods separate and controlling releases 2. Inspectors check warehouse suitability and report monthly to the Board 2. Operators must post a bond of at least 10 percent of the assessed business value 2. Appeals against licence decisions go to the Minister within fifteen days 2.
Common questions
Who regulates warehouse receipts in Tanzania?
The Warehouse Receipt Regulatory Board (WRRB), under the Ministry of Industry and Trade 1.
How much does a warehouse operator licence application cost?
The 2016 Regulations set an application fee of TShs 20,000 2.
How are farmers paid under the warehouse receipt system?
The 2016 Regulations require all payments to go through a financial institution. Depositors give buyers their account details 2.
Which crops use warehouse receipts?
Cashew features most in WRRB news. WRRB has guidelines for cashew, chickpeas, pigeon peas, soybeans, sesame and legumes 1.
How long is a warehouse licence valid?
No more than twelve months. Renew within 45 days before expiry 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
Related
- Tanzania Mercantile Exchange (TMX)
How TMX runs online commodity auctions in Tanzania: regulator, commodities, the warehouse receipt link, bonds, settlement banks and trade figures.
- Cashew auctions and payments to farmers in Tanzania
How raw cashew moves from farmer to buyer in Tanzania: AMCOS collection, warehouse receipts, TMX auctions, Cashew Board rules, payments and season figures.
- AMCOS cooperative payments in Tanzania
How AMCOS cooperatives collect crops and pay members in Tanzania, with Cooperative Societies Act 2013 rules, payment channels and audit duties.
- Sesame and pulses on the TMX exchange
How sesame, pigeon peas, chickpeas and soybeans are sold through AMCOS, warehouses and TMX auctions, with the 2025 TMX charges and recent prices.