Dar es Salaam is the gateway for much of the cargo bound for Zambia, the DRC, Malawi, Rwanda, Burundi and Uganda. Transit cargo doesn't pay Tanzanian import duties, but it does have to be declared, secured and tracked until it leaves the country. Here's how it works.

Transit routes from Dar es Salaam

Dar es Salaam Corridor: south-west via Morogoro, Iringa and Mbeya to the Tunduma/Nakonde border with Zambia, then on to Lusaka, the Copperbelt and Lubumbashi in the DRC. A branch goes to Malawi via the Songwe/Kasumulu border.
Central Corridor: west via Dodoma to Rusumo (Rwanda), Kabanga (Burundi) and on to the eastern DRC, or north-west to Mutukula and Uganda.
Rail: TAZARA runs from Dar es Salaam to Kapiri Mposhi in Zambia; the Central Line runs west to Kigoma and Mwanza.

The transit process

1. Transit declaration

Your clearing agent lodges a transit declaration with TRA, declaring the cargo for export to the destination country instead of import into Tanzania.

2. Transit bond

Because no duty is paid in Tanzania, customs requires a guarantee: a transit bond from an approved bond holder or insurer covering the duties that would be due if the cargo stayed in the country. The bond is cancelled once the cargo has exited at the border.

3. Sealing and tracking

Containers are sealed, and transit trucks are monitored on the journey. Trucks must follow the declared route and timeline.

4. Exit at the border

At the border, Tanzanian customs confirms the exit and the cargo is declared to the destination country's customs. Major crossings such as Tunduma/Nakonde and Rusumo are one-stop border posts, where both countries' officers work together.

5. Import clearance at destination

The cargo is cleared into the destination country, for example by the Zambia Revenue Authority. The DRC also requires an electronic cargo tracking note (FERI) for imports, which must be arranged before the cargo ships.

Documents you'll need

Commercial invoice and packing list
Bill of lading showing the final destination (or "in transit to")
Destination-country documents, such as the FERI for the DRC and any import permits
Certificate of origin for preferential duty at destination (SADC or COMESA, depending on the country)
The importer's tax registration in the destination country

Timelines

Journey times to Lusaka or Lubumbashi depend less on distance than on the borders. Most of the variation comes from border queues and documents, not driving time. Transit cargo also gets a longer free storage period at the port than local imports.

What delays transit cargo

Destination documents (like the FERI) arranged late
Bond not in place when the cargo is released
Truck breakdowns or route deviations that trigger tracking alerts
Peak queues at Tunduma; good planning avoids the worst days
Mismatched descriptions between the transit declaration and the destination import declaration

Frequently asked questions

Do I pay Tanzanian duty on transit cargo?

No. Duty is secured by the transit bond and paid in the destination country. Port, shipping-line and transport charges still apply in Tanzania.

Can one company handle the whole journey?

Yes. CFA Logistics clears transit cargo at Dar es Salaam, arranges the bond and trucks, and coordinates clearance at the border.

Moving cargo to Zambia, the DRC or another neighbouring country? Get a transit quote, or read more about our road freight and clearing services.

Moving Transit Cargo from Dar es Salaam to Zambia, the DRC and Beyond