Customs
Online system transforms cargo clearance at port
C
ustoms clearance in the Port of Dar es Salaam has been transformed by the introduction of the Tanzania Customs Integrated System (TANCIS). Introduced by the Tanzania Revenue Authority in March 2014, the TANCIS system has brought total transparency
agencies involved in the clearance process – such as Tanzania Bureau
- Ministry of Livestock & Fisheries Development
of Standards and Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority – can issue permits and clearance.
IMPORT PROCEDURES
- Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security & Cooperatives - Ministry of Home Affairs (Immigration, Police)
• Importers appoint a clearing and forwarding agent
- Department of Forestry
to the clearance process by handling all documentation online. Instead of clearing
• Customs agents and importers
agents moving from office to office, the
complete a declaration and self-
whole process can be carried out from the
assessment online through TANCIS
agent’s desk, with a huge saving in time.
(customs.tra.go.tz) and attach relevant documents at least seven days before
Expected time for import clearance has
- Commercial invoice
the TRA, customs, shipping agents and freight forwarders
- Authorisation letter from importer to agent
payment of fees and duties.
• The freight forwarder extracts the Delivery Order, pays customs taxes and
- Necessary import permits Importers and exporters submit all documentation online while government
ments are up-loaded onto TANCIS and are accessible to the terminal operator,
TANCIS also links with other stakeholders Tanzania Ports Authority to allow quick
- Security agencies
• Clearance is then carried out and docu• Import documents include:
five days to a single day.
such as shipping lines, banks and the
- Bureau of Standards
the arrival of the vessel
been reduced from nine to days five, while export clearance has been reduced from
- Tanzania Revenue Authority
obtains a Release Order. The Delivery Order and Release Order are then
- Exemption documents (if any)
lodged with the terminal operator for invoicing and subsequent payment of
- Packing list - Bill of lading or other transport
port charges
• The cargo is released.
documents - Certificate of origin
• Government agencies at the port ensure that all requirements have been met. These include:
63