Overview

Zambia is not part of the single customs Territory however, there is currently a One Stop Border Post (OSBP) being fully implemented at the Tunduma border. The procedures and processes have been harmonized to speed up the flows between Zambia and Tanzania. Tunduma OSBP is the busiest border crossing in Tanzania as it is the entry and exit point for most of Zambia’s international trade through Dar es Salaam port. The Tanzania Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) rail line also passes through Tunduma.

The road from Mbeya is a single carriage way and is extremely congested with slow moving heavy goods vehicles, the high volume of heavy traffic takes a toll on the road surface, and this results in ongoing repair work along sections of the road adding to delays reaching the border.

Daily Capacity

Every day, between 400 to 500 cargo trucks cross the border at Tunduma. In addition, a considerable number of private vehicles and pedestrians are transiting via the border crossing. The cargo trucks currently cross based on agreed roaster such that: -,

From 09; 00 am to 21:00 pm: - Containerized cargo crosses, this is reportedly due to Zambian Revenue Authority customs cargo scanner only operating for 12 hours per day.

From 21; 01pm to 08:59am tankers and loose cargo crosses

The route to reach and cross the border is narrow and it causes important problem of congestion. Trucks take at least a day to process through customs.

Customs Clearance

Usual documents are required for the custom clearance including invoice, packing list, permits, and the contract signed between the customer and the clearance 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. The fees vary in function of the origin, destination, and the number of axles. For small vehicles, the fees are mainly based on the longer of the journey in Tanzania.

Other Relevant Information

To cross the border, all customs, immigration and other government departments’ formalities have to be fully accomplished, the maximum waiting time for the above departments to complete the procedures suppose all required necessary papers have been furnished to them by Customs agents, Drivers and Passengers is less than one (1) hour.

The Inspection of goods is done once involving all relevant government departments. The other government departments which at minimum involved in inspections varies depending on nature and sensitivity of the goods, at minimum includes Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS), Tanzania Plant Health and Pesticides, Tanzania Police Force, The Government General Chemist, Tanzania Forest Service, etc.

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