Overview

Mutukula One stop Border Post (OSBP)  is a Tanzania-Uganda border located in Missenyi District. On the Ugandan side, it is also known as Mutukula OSBP situated in Kyotera District. This is a 24/7 border operation with several Government agencies all available at once with the aim of expediting and facilitating clearance of goods across border, currently the following Government agencies are available: TRA, Immigration, TBS, TMDA, WMA, TASAC, Livestock & Fisheries Dept, Port Health, Forest Dept, TAEC and Ministry of Agriculture.

Average clearance time of goods across border after the introduction of OSBP & Single Customs Territory (SCT) facilities ranges from 30 minutes to 3 hours depending on nature of the consignment.

Customs personnel at Mutukula OSBP reported a significant reduction in cross border traffic since the opening of a Gatuna OSBP between Rwanda and Uganda. Since Gatuna OSBP has become fully operational, many cars and trucks are passing through that route rather than transiting through Tanzania.  They attributed the reduction to improved road infrastructure from Masaka to Mtukula and lower weight restriction per axle in Tanzania which results in a higher cost for transport operators.

Daily Capacity

The level of traffic flow reported for 2022/23 FY was: 

• Numbers of Trucks – 75 Per Day  
• Numbers of Cars – 20 Per Day
• Passenger Buses – 6 Per Week 

The immigration and customs officials from both countries occupy the same offices and sit adjacent to each other this facilitating efficient traffic flow, easy movement of goods and persons between the two countries and minimize the number of required stops during cross-border trade. The One-Stop Border Post has allowed to create a space dedicated to trucks and a cargo clearance office.

Customs Clearance

Under the Single Customs Territory, five Partner States: Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda are regarded as one Customs Territory which means only one Customs declaration is made in the Country at which goods are consigned. This requires only one Customs declaration that will be made by the consignee country and applied across EAC. Declaration will be processed in Tanzania as consignee and tax payment, or bond guarantee will be made accordingly. The TRA has developed a number of online tools to help businesses comply with customs requirements. These tools include;

• Tanzania Integrated Customs Management System (TANCIS): TANCIS is a web-based system that allows businesses to lodge customs declarations and pay customs duties and taxes online. 
• Tanzania Customs Information Portal (TCIP): The TCIP is a web-based portal that provides businesses with access to information on customs procedures, regulations, and tariffs. 

Government agencies operating at the Mutukula OSBP include.

• Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA),
• Tanzania Immigration services,
• Tanzania Standards Bureau (TBS),
• Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA),
• Weights and Measures Agency (WMA),
• Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC),
• Livestock & Fisheries Dept,
• Port Health,
• Forest Dept,
• Tanzania Atomic Energy Commission (TAEC)
• Ministry of Agriculture.

Currently average clearance time of goods across border after the introduction of OSBP & Single Customs Territory (SCT) facilities ranges from 30 minutes to 3 hrs depending on nature of the consignment.

Other Relevant Information

The fees for trucks crossing the border vary depending on the origin of the journey, destination, and the number of axles. For small vehicles, the fees are mainly based on the longer of the journey in Tanzania. 

The usual documents are required for the custom clearance including invoice, packing list, permits, and a contract signed between the customer and the clearing agent, if any. The truck driver has to present his passport to the authority. Note that the goods could be subject to examination upon entering country. Under SCT the clearance is completed at the destination country, thus truck driver has to present C2 accompanied by SuBT1. (Goods transfer) Form C2-Cargo Manifest

For more information, please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information and 4.1 Government Contact List.