Tanzania customs: plastic bags, cash, drones, CBD and allowances

§1Plastic bags banned in Tanzania: what is the risk?

On the mainland, a government notice of 16 May 2019 banned, from 1 June 2019, the import, sale and use of plastic carrier bags, whatever their thickness, with a dedicated desk at points of entry. In Zanzibar, the ban dates from 2006.

According to the FCDO, a passenger arriving by air must hand over all plastic bags on arrival. The duty-free shop bag is the first target: it is best to empty its contents into a suitcase before landing. Bags slipped into the luggage may also be confiscated.

The exception: the zip pouches used for liquids at security checks. For the rest, cloth bags and reusable pouches do the job.

§2How much cash can I take to Tanzania?

The rules found in official sources: Tanzanian shillings (TZS): import and export prohibited. Foreign currency: no restrictions, but amounts over the equivalent of USD 10,000 must be declared on arrival and departure.

The shilling is therefore obtained on the spot, at cash machines or exchange offices, and spent before departure. Dollars or euros are not capped, but must be declared above the threshold, on entry and on exit. A traveller paying for a safari or tips in cash may reach this threshold faster than expected: the amount is worth checking before leaving.

The dollar is widely accepted in tourist areas, according to the FCDO. The formalities are paid in dollars too: $50.75 for the tourist e-visa, $44 for the mandatory insurance.

§3Alcohol and cigarettes: what are the Tanzania duty-free allowances?

Alcohol: Aged 18 or over, arriving from outside Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and Uganda: 1 litre of whisky or liquor and 2 litres of wine.

Tobacco: Aged 18 or over, arriving from outside Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan and Uganda: 200 cigarettes, or cigars, tobacco and snuff up to 250 g.

Beyond that, goods are declared and taxed: the FCDO reminds travellers to declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to duty. A traveller arriving from Kenya, for example at the Namanga border post, does not benefit from these allowances: to bear in mind for a combined Kenya and Tanzania trip.

§4Can I take a drone to Tanzania?

Yes, with authorisation. The Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA) makes any use of a drone subject to its approval, recreational use included. A foreign visitor must obtain an import permit, register the device, register as a pilot and apply for an operating permit.

Applications are made at least three weeks before arrival, on the TCAA platform. Access is obtained by writing to drones@tcaa.go.tz with identity, passport number, nationality, drone model, intended use and arrival date. Fees are not refunded if the file is not completed in time.

Without an import permit, the drone is confiscated at the point of entry. In national parks, prior park authorisation is added, according to the parks authority (TANAPA). The procedure is published on the TCAA website.

§5CBD, medicines, prohibited items: what not to bring

CBD: according to the FCDO, some cannabidiol products are illegal in Tanzania; it advises against entering with CBD cosmetics or e-cigarette refills. Penalties for drugs are heavy, simple possession and transit included, up to 30 years in prison for importation in some cases.

Medicines are covered by no published list in the customs rules consulted. The FCDO refers to TravelHealthPro, which recommends original packaging, a copy of prescriptions, a letter from the doctor with generic names, a sufficient quantity for the stay and carriage in the cabin. For a controlled drug or a strong painkiller, the status is checked with the Tanzanian embassy.

Animal products: the FCDO advises against bringing animal-skin accessories, at the risk of being questioned or held on departure. Taking out an item derived from wildlife without an export permit from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism is illegal, even for a souvenir bought at a market.

Photos: filming or photographing demonstrations and sharing them is illegal.

§6Tanzania travel advice: what do the foreign ministries say?

Five ministries are followed here: the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Germany and France. Their levels are brought to a common scale of one to four.

Their common themes: crime, terrorist risk near the Mozambican border, demonstrations, sometimes arbitrary application of the law, and risks for LGBT people, homosexuality being punished in Tanzania, Zanzibar included. The FCDO reports internet cuts during demonstrations and advises noting useful numbers before departure. The dress rules in Zanzibar can lead to a fine. This advice complements the entry formalities without replacing them: mandatory insurance, the Afya Msafiri form and, depending on the itinerary, yellow fever.