Clearing and Forwarding

Customs clearing in Tanzania and Kenya, handled end to end

Every day a container waits at the port costs storage and demurrage. CFA Logistics clears imports, exports and transit cargo through Dar es Salaam port, Mombasa port and the main airports, then delivers it to your warehouse, project site or the next border. Our offices in Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Mombasa work on the same file, so one team follows your shipment from arrival to delivery.

What we handle

• Customs declarations with the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)
• Tariff classification (HS codes), valuation and a clear breakdown of duties and taxes before you pay
• Permits and certificates from the agencies that regulate your goods, such as TBS, KEBS, TMDA and GCLA
• Shipping-line and port release: delivery orders, container deposits and port charges
• Transit documents and bonds for cargo going on to Zambia, the DRC, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Malawi
• Export clearance and documentation for goods leaving Tanzania and Kenya
• Delivery by road once the cargo is released (see land freight)

Documents to have ready

• Commercial invoice and packing list
• Bill of lading (sea) or air waybill (air)
• Certificate of origin, needed to claim reduced duty under EAC, SADC or COMESA rules
• Certificate of conformity for goods covered by pre-export verification (PVoC)
• Import permits or licences for regulated goods (food, medicines, chemicals, explosives and others)
• The importer's TIN (Tanzania) or KRA PIN (Kenya)

Send us copies before the vessel or flight arrives. We check them against the cargo and the rules for your goods, so problems are fixed while the ship is still at sea, not while storage charges are running.

How a clearance runs

1. Before arrival: we review your documents and lodge the declaration early.
2. Assessment: customs assesses duties and taxes; we send you the figures and payment details.
3. Verification: if customs selects the cargo for inspection, we attend and answer queries.
4. Release: we settle port and shipping-line charges and collect the release.
5. Delivery: the cargo goes to your premises, a bonded warehouse or onward in transit.

Common questions

How long does customs clearing take at Dar es Salaam port?

When documents are complete and lodged before arrival, a standard container can be released soon after it is discharged. Physical inspection, missing permits or valuation queries add time, which is why we check everything before the ship arrives.

Can you clear transit cargo for neighbouring countries?

Yes. We prepare transit declarations and bonds for cargo moving from Dar es Salaam or Mombasa to landlocked countries, and arrange the trucks for the journey.

Do you also clear cargo in Kenya?

Yes. Our Mombasa office clears cargo through Mombasa port and Kenyan airports and borders.

Have a shipment on the way? Send the bill of lading or invoice through Get a quote and we'll come back with the clearing costs and what we need from you.