Are you currently living in Uganda and considering moving to Tanzania but are unsure of what to expect?

 

Before you make your decision, there are a few things about Tanzania that, in our opinion, are necessary for you to be aware of.

 

For instance, did you know that Tanzania, in comparison to its East African neighbours, Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, and Burundi, is the largest and most populous country in the region?

 

The East African nation, officially referred to as the United Republic of Tanzania has a population of around 61 million (as of 2020) and a surface area of 947,300 square kilometres.

 

One could say that the huge size and population of the country are the result of the fact that, after achieving independence, Tanganyika and Zanzibar merged to form what is now known as Tanzania.

 

The union of the two countries is now celebrated each year as a national holiday on the 26th of April and is known as Union Day.

 

While Tanzania’s capital is Dodoma, Dar es Salaam is still the most prominent city in the country. This is because Dar es Salaam was Tanzania’s first capital city (1961-1974) and remains the central administrative city.

 

The country’s interior is sparsely populated, with most of the population living near the northern border and eastern coastline regions, with many residing in the major towns of Dar es Salaam and Dodoma.

 

Tanzania is known for its diverse tourist destinations due to the presence of beautiful beaches, unusual landscapes and breathtaking parks. 

 

The country is home to Africa’s tallest mountain (Mount Kilimanjaro) and some of the world’s most beautiful beaches (Zanzibar Island).

 

 

That being said, if you are considering relocating from Uganda to Tanzania now or in the near future, here are some crucial requirements and factors to consider:

 

1. You need a work and a residence permit

Tanzania requires all foreigners who wish to live or work in the country, including Ugandans and other EAC citizens, to have a work and residence permit.

 

Therefore, if you are moving from Uganda to Tanzania, you may require either of the following types of residence permits if you intend to live or work there: 

• Class A is intended for entrepreneurs, investors, and self-employed individuals. 
• Class B allows holders to be employed by a company in Tanzania.
• Class C is for missionaries and students who may be eligible for part-time work.

 

To get any of these permits, there are specific requirements that you will need to meet, including having to pay a certain fee for the permit to be processed. All the information you may need regarding the application process is available on Tanzania’s immigration website. 

 

2. Moving to Tanzania with household goods

If you decide to move from Uganda to Tanzania with your household goods, the officers at Customs have the right to inspect and verify all shipments arriving in the country. You will then be required to provide the following documents during the inspection:

• Original bill of lading (OBL) / express release for sea shipments/copy of air waybill (AWB) for air shipments
• A typed and detailed copy of your packing list in English 
• A commercial invoice (for commercial goods or new personal effects)
• Detailed and valued inventory list (the list should be in USD or Euros for diplomats)
• Original passport of the owner of the goods (individuals)
• Original work permit certificate (for individuals). However, this is not required if you are willing to pay duties and taxes. If your shipment arrives before your original work permit certificate is issued, port or airport storage, demurrage, and other penalties will accrue. 
• Exemption certificate accompanied a corresponding, approved Form VAT 220 (for NGOs)
• Taxpayer identification number (TIN) certificate (application from the TRA Offices in Tanzania is required)

 

Provided you have all the required documents, shipping your used household items to Tanzania from Uganda is duty and tax-free. 

 

However, there are taxes and duties that must be paid on commercial items as well as new or brand new personal things. These taxes and duties can range from 20 to 25 percent in addition to a value-added tax (VAT) of 18 percent of the value determined by the customs office. It is also expected that non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and businesses that do not qualify for exemptions will pay customs and taxes on all shipments.

 

 

Dutiable and taxable items may delay the clearance process as port storage charges and demurrage will apply and be invoiced to the owner of the goods /agent.

 

The application process for a work permit certificate takes an extended period of time to obtain, so it’s best to apply early if you are to be exempt from paying duty and taxes. This is because any shipment entering the country before obtaining a work permit will be fully taxable. Therefore, it is advised to hold the shipment at origin until all documents have been received.

 

Tanzania requires that you import your personal effects within 90 days from the first date of arrival in Tanzania. However, if the shipment is delayed and cannot be imported within the 90-day time frame, you must request an extension of the grace period.

 

Demurrage charges accrue after a free period of 7-14 days, depending on the shipping line, and vary between 4-14 USD per day for a 20-foot container and USD 8-30 for a 40-foot container.

 

Clearance by Customs will usually take approximately two weeks provided that all the necessary documents are received approximately 15 days prior to the arrival of the shipment and there are no dutiable or taxable items included. 

 

You should, nonetheless, expect delays in clearance if the documents are not received by the agent at least 2 weeks prior to the arrival of the shipment.

 

Port storage charges apply 7 days after the arrival of the shipment at USD 20 plus VAT per day for a 20-foot container and USD 40 plus VAT for a 40-foot container for the first 21 days and double thereafter. 

 

3. Diplomats moving to Tanzania with household items

Diplomats moving with used household items are exempt from being inspected by Customs and are not required to pay duties. However, this is only valid in the event that the importing agency has already been provided with the PR06 form from the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA). Obtaining this form typically takes about two to three weeks.

 

The only thing that diplomats are not exempt from is the wharfage tax of 1.6 percent of the Customs value of the shipment.

 

4. Returning citizens moving back to Tanzania from Uganda with personal effects

For returning Tanzanian citizens, they must present their original passports showing how long they have been living abroad. This is to allow Customs to determine if they qualify for an exemption from paying duties and taxes on used personal effects.

 

Returning citizens are exempt from paying duties on shipments if they can prove that they have lived outside Tanzania for at least 12 months without coming back to the country.   

 

5. Moving with your car

Moving with your car from Uganda to Tanzania is possible, but certain rules apply. 

 

For instance, you must have owned and used the car you intend to import for at least 12 months in the country of origin, and evidence of this fact must be shown. Additionally, the vehicle must be registered under your name or taxes and duties will apply to the value assessed by Customs.

 

 

Another important rule to take into consideration is the fact that Tanzania doesn’t allow left-hand drive vehicles to be imported.

 

You will be required to present the following documents when importing your car:

• OBL shows the description of the motor vehicle, the chassis number, and the engine number
• Commercial invoice/sales agreement
• Certificate of ownership/registration card, showing engine and chassis numbers
• Interpol Certificate (SARPCCO), if the vehicle is coming from an African country
• Exemption certificate (NGOs). The exemption certificate must be accompanied by a corresponding approved VAT 220 form.
• Form PR06 (diplomats)
• Pre-export inspection certificate from the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), authorized garage, or from the Ministry of Transport or department (in the country of origin) which issues licenses and registration cards, if a TBS approved garage is not available.
• Taxpayer identifier number certificate (TIN) from a TRA office in Tanzania

 

All the mentioned documents must be in English; otherwise, a fee of USD 50 will be charged for translation.

 

The documents are expected to reach Tanzania two weeks prior to the motor vehicle arriving. If this is not the case, storage charges, container demurrage, and other penalties will apply. Port storage and demurrage charges range from approximately USD 650 for a 20-foot container to USD 1,350 for a 40-foot container or larger).

 

If you are moving with a used car that is older than seven years, Tanzania charges VAT, an excise duty of 20 percent of the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) value. Cars older than 10 years are subject to an excise duty of 20 percent of the value of the car.

 

Customs clearance for diplomatic shipments takes approximately 10 business days after the container is grounded inside the port provided the PRO 6 form was received 2 weeks before the vessel arrives in port.

 

On the other hand, customs clearance for non-diplomatic shipments takes approximately 12-14 business days provided all documents are received 2 weeks before the vessel arrives in port.

 

For returning residents, a car that was bought in another country other than the country of expatriation cannot be imported, unless it is proven that the owner of the goods was expatriated in the country where the car was purchased.

 

6. Tanzania has a list of restricted/dutiable Items

Customs in Tanzania, much like those in most other nations, maintain a list of products that are not allowed to be brought into the country. 

 

 

The Customs Department will impose a tax or tariff on a wide range of goods, including:

• Food items, alcohol, and medicines (taxes range between 50 percent-100 percent of the Customs CIF value). These are not considered personal effects and are taxed heavily. A special import permit may be required for some food, perishable items, and medicines to avoid complications with Customs and health agency officials. The owner of the goods must apply for the permit prior to the arrival of the shipment and a health certificate is required for entry.
• Trophies (a special import permit is required)
• Minerals (a special import permit is required)

 

7. List of prohibited items in Tanzania

If you are moving from Uganda to Tanzania, the following is a comprehensive list of the products that cannot be imported into Tanzania:

• Firearms and ammunition
• Unlawful drugs
• Elephant tusks and ivory
• Medicines
• Grains
• Animals
• Telecommunication items

 

8. You will need a professional relocations company

Moving from Uganda to Tanzania might be challenging, particularly due to the numerous laws. As a consequence of this, you might find that you need the assistance of a moving company with a solid reputation and plenty of experience, such as Nellions.

 

When you engage Nellions to handle your transfer, you can rest assured that your items will be entrusted to competent individuals.

 

In the event that you require any information including a quote, please do not hesitate to contact us at the following numbers: +256 753 000 100 or +256 783 294 229. You may also email us at MOVE@NELLIONS.CO.UG.