International · TZ

How to Ship to Tanzania from the US

Tanzania is an East African destination served primarily through Dar es Salaam Julius Nyerere International Airport, with secondary service to Kilimanjaro International (for northern Tanzania and safari tourism areas). DHL has the strongest network in Tanzania; FedEx and UPS also serve major urban centers. USPS mail is handled by Tanzania Posts Corporation (TPC).

Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) charges customs duties plus VAT (18%) on imports. Duty rates vary by HS code — consumer goods typically face 10–25% duty. Tanzania's East African Community (EAC) membership means some regional tariff schedules apply. There is no meaningful de minimis exemption for inbound shipments from outside the EAC.

Typical 1 lb cost

$60–$90 USD

Typical transit

6–25 business days

Carrier Options to Tanzania

DHL Express Worldwide

Best for Tanzania. 4-6 business days to Dar es Salaam. Strongest East Africa network.

FedEx International Priority

5-7 business days. Good for business and high-value shipments.

UPS Worldwide Expedited

5-7 business days. Urban coverage in Dar es Salaam and Arusha.

USPS Priority Mail International

3–6 weeks via TPC (Tanzania Posts Corporation). Budget option; slow and variable reliability.

Customs Forms Required

CN22 for items under $400. CN23 + commercial invoice for higher-value shipments.

Commonly Prohibited Items

  • ✕Firearms and weapons without TRA authorization
  • ✕Narcotic drugs and illegal substances
  • ✕Pornographic material
  • ✕Counterfeit goods
  • ✕Single-use plastic bags (banned in Tanzania since 2019)

Tanzania-Specific Shipping Tips

  • 💡 Tanzania banned single-use plastic bags — avoid packaging with thin plastic carry bags that could be flagged
  • 💡 VAT (18%) plus duties (10–25%) means total import taxes can be significant
  • 💡 DHL is by far the most reliable carrier for Tanzania, especially for Zanzibar and northern Tanzania
  • 💡 Dar es Salaam addresses: include ward (mtaa), district, and phone number
  • 💡 Wildlife and safari tourism goods: Tanzania has strict CITES enforcement — do not ship wildlife products

Frequently asked questions

How long does shipping to Tanzania take?
DHL: 4–6 business days to Dar es Salaam. USPS via TPC: 3–6 weeks, sometimes longer.
Can I ship packages to Zanzibar?
Yes — Zanzibar has its own customs authority but DHL and FedEx handle this. Expect 1-2 additional days for Zanzibar delivery.
Are single-use plastics really a problem for shipping?
Tanzania's plastic bag ban (2019) applies to packaging that arrives as plastic carry bags. Standard shipping packaging (bubble wrap, poly mailers for parcels) is fine.
What taxes will the recipient pay?
VAT (18%) plus customs duty (0–25% depending on product). Total tax burden is typically 20–40% of CIF value.
Is it safe to ship electronics to Tanzania?
Yes, but declare accurately. Electronics face duties of roughly 10–15% plus 18% VAT. Include original purchase receipts.

Other International Destinations

FR
France
AU
Australia
JP
Japan
CN
China
KR
South Korea
IT
Italy

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