Importing  vehicles  into Tanzania

Please note that   DONGTE-- DTA  manufactuer exporter to Africa   . People may find it daunting to export to Tanzania but not with  DTA. Email us now at tomking@dtatruck.com and discover the DTA difference.  DTA is known for its superior  integrity, great customer service, great prices, great selection, great quality and great speed of delivery.

The founder members of the East African Community Customs Union are Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. In December 2006, Burundi and Rwanda were admitted into the Union. Members of COMESA are Angola, Burundi, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sudan, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Finally, South African Development Community (SADC) is comprised of Angola, Botswana, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The majority of our exports to  Africa are going to Maputo ,Durban ,DAR ES SALAAM, MOMBASA  , Port Louis, TamataVe,WalVis Bay,Pointe Noire, Luanda, Lome,Matadi, Owendo, LIBREVILLE, Bata, Malabo, Duala,  Lagos, Cotonou, Conakry,Tema, Dakar,Namibe based dealers who buy it for their customers in different parts of South and East Africa  www.dtatruck.com www.szdtruck.com  tomking@dtatruck.com
 

Taxation of imported vehicles in Tanzania is classified as follows

All vehicles of engine capacity up to 2000cc:

Import duty 25%
VAT 20%

Cumulatively this is 50% of dutiable value

All vehicles of engine capacity above 2000 cc:

Import duty 25%
Excise duty 10%
VAT 20%

Cumulatively this is 65% of dutiable value.

Buses, lorries, pick ups, passenger vans (Commercial units):

Import duty 15%
VAT 20%

Cumulatively this is 32% of dutiable value.

Import Declaration Fees (IDF) is 1.2% of FOB value + US$ 10 per unit.

Please note that it is a must to be registered with Tanzania Revenue Authority and have your Tax Identification Number (TIN) before clearing the car into Tanzania.

Various charges levied at Dar-es-Salaam Port:

• Wharfage: This is charged at 1.6% of CIF value+20%VAT
• Handling: This is charged on the volume (cubic meters) x US$5 + VAT
• Removal fees: This is charged on the volume x US$1+ VATExtra charges on vehicles older than 10 years

• New Import regulation were introduced in July, 2006 that mandate that a vehicle older than 10 years will be subject to the penalty of extra 20% excise duty.

• Importing of goods into Tanzania. There are formal governmental procedures to be taken into consideration. The following document will describe the procedures that have to be passed and it will also state what is required from you at the different stages. Unless the following guidelines are cautiously and timely followed up there will most certainly be delays in shipment of goods which will consequently result to late clearance and delivery of the goods to the final customer. The supplier can be held responsible for any additional costs incurred on shipment due non-compliance of the import procedures.

• 1. Import Declaration Form (IDF)

• All imports to Tanzania require an IDF. When the importer in Tanzania applies for an IDF, the information to be filled out on the application is to be provided by the supplier together with a Proforma Invoice. Following information is required on the Proforma Invoice to facilitate accurate application of IDF.

  Required from the supplier

  1. Specification and a clear description of the quantity and quality of the goods
  2. Free On Board (FOB) Value
  3. Freight Value (if applicable)
  4. Customs Harmonised Commodity Code
  5. Currency of the payment
  6. Mode of Transportation
  7. Goods Country of Origin
  8.  The Proforma invoice number and final invoice number must read same.

• 2. Introduction to Destination Inspection (DI)

  The Tanzania Revenue Authority has mandated that effective July 1st, 2004 all imports into Tanzania will be subject to Destination Inspection by TANZANIA INSPECTION SERVICE CO. (TISCAN). This is a Tanzanian registered company and a member of the COTECNA S.A GROUP.

• 3. Objectives of DI in Tanzania

  The key objectives of PSI in Tanzania are as follows

  1. To verify the quality and quantity of imports
  2. To assist Customs with the collection of the correct amounts of duties and taxes
  3. To provide Customs with an independent opinion of the Dutiable Value for Customs purposes
  4. To verify the accuracy of tariff codes classifications
  5. Computation of the correct duties and taxes payable
  6. To provide the Government of Tanzania with reliable and up-to-date statistics related to Trade and Customs revenues

• 4. Imports subject to DI

  All imports to Tanzania irrespective of value

• 5. Imports exempted from DI

  • Commercial samples and goods returning after repair
  • Supplies to Diplomatic Missions or International Organizations · Transit Goods
  • Parcel post goods or express couriers not exceeding USD 5,000 in value
  • Emergency supplies airlifted as may be approved by the Tanzania Revenue Authority

• 6. Preparation for DI

  As soon as an importer has arranged to import goods and has entered into a contract with an overseas supplier, he should apply to his Commercial Bank for an Import Declaration Form (IDF).

  The importer must present a Proforma Invoice for the goods to be imported and will be obliged to pay a Destination Inspection Processing Fees of 1.2% of the FOB value to his Commercial Bank.

  The Bank will then transfer the IDF and Proforma Invoice to Importer and TISCAN in Dar-es-Salaam, usually within the same working day. Importers and agents have to ensure that an IDF with all relevant Documents reach the Inspection Company at least 10 working days prior to arrival of the goods.

• 7. Risk Profiling

  With each import, associated risk is identified through risk profiling. · Low risk (Green Channel) – Goods may be released without physical inspection · Medium risk (Yellow Channel) – Full Container Load (FCL) consignments will be subject to x-ray scanning · High risk (Red Channel) – Goods shall be subject to physical inspection by Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) to determine compliance

• 8. The DI Process

  1. Once TISCAN receives the IDF and Pro forma Invoice from the Bank, a preliminary review of the documents is carried out and the details entered into TISCAN computer system. TISCAN will electronically transmit the IDF data to affiliate in country of export for documentary data verification.
  2. Upon receipt of original documentation from suppliers, TISCAN shall prepare an Internal Findings Report (IFR)
  3. Upon receiving the IFR and there is no discrepancy in the importer’s declaration, TISCAN issues a Preliminary Classification and Valuation Report (PCVR) and Declared Classification and Valuation Report (DCVR). The PCVR / DCVR provides TISCAN’s opinions on values, classification and level of Intervention / Inspection determined by the CRMS.
  4. If importer accepts PCVR, he signs it and applies for a Single Bill of Entry (SBE). Documents to be submitted together with the application include PCVR, IDF copy, Original Shipping documents e.g. Commercial Invoice and Ocean Bill of Lading together with original duty/taxes exemption documents (if applicable).
  5. Once SBE has been issued and accepted into the Customs Sytems, no additional declaration or access is permissible. In event the importer rejects contents of the PCVR, he may put it in writing to TISCAN giving reasons for not accepting the declared information. In accordance with importer’s right to appeal, the importer can prepare own SBE under protest and attach to this the original SBE issued by TISCAN. This is then lodged with Customs to determine the finality in accordance with the law.
  6. TISCAN will then issue a Final Classification and Valuation Report (FCVR) together with the SBE.
  7. Once SBE has been issued the importer or his agent will pay applicable duties and taxes to the designated Bank. The importer/agent submits the certified original of the SBE, Pay-in Slip and IDF together with supporting documents to Customs for goods clearance.
  8. The importer requests for Inspection at the port once Customs Long room process has been completed. This is done either physically, documentary check and/or by x-ray scan for all loaded containers.
  9. If scanning results conform to declaration, release is issued immediately. Any discrepancies e.g. undeclared goods noted, the container is directed to a re-check area for physical examination. Any undeclared goods are seized and subject to forfeiture with penalties imposed according to Customs Laws. Such action could also lead to possible prosecution.

• 9. Shipping Documents

  Air freight – Original AWB, Supplier’s invoice(s) and Packing list(s) to accompany shipment.

  Seafreight – Original OB/L, Supplier’s invoce(s) and Packing list(s) to be couriered to importer or his C&F Agent immediately after shipment of goods.

• 10. Tanzania – DI Process

  IMPORTER
  Purchases an IDF at relevant bank (USD.10) Submits completed IDF to the bank ( pay 1.2% of the FOB value on Tanzania Revenue Authority account) along with a legible and complete Proforma invoice (PFI) TANZANIA INSPECTION SERVICE CO. (TISCAN)
  Registers the IDF previously received from the bank and electronically transmits data to affiliate in country of export for documentary data verification. SELLER
  Submits original commercial invoice and packing list to TISCAN TISCAN
  Prepares Internal Findings Report (IFR) and issues Preliminary Classification and Valuation Report (PCVR)
  Declared Classification and Valuation Report (DCVR)
  IMPORTER
  PCVR and applies for Single Bill of Entry (SBE) TISCAN
  Issues a Final Classification and Valuation Report (FCVR) together with SBE IMPORTER
  Pays to the bank the duties and taxes as indicated in the SBE. Lodge request for Inspection TISCAN
  If scanning results conform with declaration, goods are released Any discrepancies, container is directed to re-check area for physical examination Any undeclared goods found are seized, forfeited and penalties imposed to importer Any excess goods found, full duties and taxes are payable.

Regional Agreements

The Common Market for East and Southern Africa

The Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA) has been operating, in one form or another, since 1981.  COMESA aims to promote economic integration via the removal of barriers to trade and investment among COMESA member states. Moreover, COMESA aims to advocate for infrastructure development, and development in science and technology. Economic integration is envisaged to progress from the Free Trade Area (FTA) to an economic monetary union. The FTA became operational on 1st November 2000 with nine participating countries initially. The nine member countries that are implementing zero tariffs are Egypt, Sudan, Djibouti, Malawi, Madagascar, Mauritius, Zambia and Zimbabwe.  However in January 2004, Burundi and Rwanda joined the FTA, bringing the total number of participating countries to eleven.  

The COMESA FTA is an agreement among members not to apply customs duties or charges on goods traded amongst themselves.  The eligible goods for duty-free treatment must meet the agreed upon Rules of Origin.  Members also agree to eliminate all non-tariff barriers to trade between them.

A COMSEA Certificate of Origin is required for each consignment of goods and is obtained from the Revenue Authority in respective member countries. 

The Southern Africa Development Community

The Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) aims to promote regional integration and sustainable development in the regional community.

Members of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), comprising 14 countries, signed a Trade Protocol, which calls for the implementation of a Free Trade Area.  Each country has negotiated two reduced tariff schedules.  One schedule is applicable only for South Africa, and another schedule for all other SADC members. Zambia's implementation of her offer, effective 30th April 2001, is provided to those countries that provide Zambia with the SADC reduced tariff schedule. 

The reduction of tariffs to South Africa provide for delayed liberalization, while the schedule to other members provide for broader and faster access to the South Africa market.  The tariff schedule applicable to SADC members, with the exception of South Africa, has three categories.  Category A products are those products which go to zero-duty immediately upon implementation.  The tariff for Category B products gradually goes down to zero-duty over a period of eight years, and the tariff of Category C products reaches zero-duty twelve years after implementation.  Category C products are known as sensitive products, and include for Zambia meat and dairy products, tea, some flours, raw sugar, cement, textiles and clothing, and motor vehicles.

Plans are currently underway to establish a Free Trade Agreement by 2008, and a SADC Customs Union by 2010.

A SADC Certificate of Origin is required for each consignment of goods and is obtained from the Revenue Authority. 

Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam port is the Tanzania principal port with a rated capacity of 4.1 million (dwt) dry cargo and 6.0 million (dwt) bulk liquid cargo. The Port has a total quay length of about 2,000 metres with eleven deep-water berths. Dar es Salaam port handles about 95% of the Tanzania international trade. The port serves the landlocked countries of Malawi, Zambia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Rwanda and Uganda.

The port is strategically placed to serve as a convenient freight linkage not only to and from East and Central Africa countries but also to middle and Far East, Europe, Australia and America. The port of Dar es Salaam has the following marine crafts:

• Six (6) Berthing Tugs
• Sixteen (16) Lighter Towing Tugs
• Four (4) Lighters
• Two (2) Labour Launches
• Two (2) Pilot Boats
• Two (2) Patrol Boats
• Thirteen (13) Mooring Boats

• Storage: Eleven main quay transit sheds, total area 300,000m2; two transit sheds at the back of the port totalling 17,000m2; passenger sheds, baggage halls, customs warehouse and transit depots etc. Stacking grounds of 93,000m2 at the main port and 20,539m2 at Ubungo. Fully automated silos are operational at the grain terminal. Three bagging plants of approximately 90 tonnes per hour in 50kg bags. Temperature controlled silos have a capacity of 30,000 tonnes.

• Tanker terminals: Kurasini Oil Jetty, a 'T' shaped jetty, starbaord side 9.5m depth for vessels up to 175m in length and up to 183m length for vessels with operational bow thruster. Single bouy mooring for vessels up to 120,000 deadweight tonnage, maximum depth 17m.

• Container and Ro/Ro facilities: Container terminal at Berth numbers 9-11, total berth length of 560m. Equipment includes two container gantry cranes. Container yard area of 5.2 hectares and there is a container freight station with covered area of 3000m. Inland container depot at Ubungo. Ro/Ro vessels can be moored stern to quay between Berths 6 - 7.

• Cranes: Two gantry ship to shore cranes, one rail mounted gantry crane and five rubber tyred gantry cranes. Sixty other cranes of 4-30 tonnes. Sixty nine tractors and 115 trailers, each capable of carrying 40' containers, 157 forklift trucks.

• Ship repairs: Small 100 tonne cap slipway, depth 1.83m low water ordinary spring tide.

• Working hours: 24 hours in three shifts, except Sundays when there are two shifts.

• Towage: Eight lighter-towing and six berthing tugs available.

• Airport: International Airport 13km from port.