Permits for importation is requested from;

Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security,
P.O. Box 9192, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Tel: +255 22 2862480/1, Fax:+255 22 2862077
E-mail: psk@Kilimo.go.tz

AND

Director of Veterinary Services
Ministry of Water and Livestock Development
Temeke Veterinary Office
P. O Box 9152, Dar es Salaam.
Tel: +255 22 2862592; Fax +255 22 2862538
E-mail: zoosanitary@mifugo.go.tz or epid1@mifugo.go.tz,
        
Quantity Control Measures  

  • A special import permit issued by the Director of Agriculture and Food Security in Tanzania, is required for the entry of fresh fruit, plants, plant parts, and seeds.
  • An import permit issued by the National Food Commission is required for the entry of meat and edible meat offal, edible vegetable, roots and tubes, and edible fruits and nuts.
  • A permit from the Ministry of Water and Livestock Development, Veterinary Services is required for the importation of live horses, dogs, cats, swine, sheep and goats.
  • A permit issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is required for imports of live trees and other plants, bulbs, roots and the like, cut flowers and ornamental foliage; plants and parts (i.e. seeds and fruits fresh or dried, crushed, powdered); vegetable plaiting materials; raw vegetable materials.

Prohibitions 

  • Prohibition is set on imports of food containing cyclamates or any cyclamate salts for use in food products. 

Technical Measures 

  • Imports of spirits other than gin, geneva, hollands, schnapps, or liqueurs for human consumption, must give satisfactory proof that the spirits to be imported have been matured by storage in wood for a period of not less than three years.  In the same context, medicines and foodstuffs must have a minimum remaining shelf life of six months at the time of importation.  However Brandy under certain conditions, is exempt from this regulation.
  • A sanitary certificate from a qualified veterinary surgeon in the country of export, must accompany every imported animal. 
  • The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security in Tanzania is responsible for the certification of all plants and plant products (propagative matter, seed, seedlings).  Imported plants are subject to a sanitary certificate signed by an appropriate government official in the country of origin of the goods.
  • Specific labelling requirements are set on imported canned condensed milk for human consumption, vegetable and butter ghee, paints and varnishes.
  • Under the Animal Ordinance Cap. 156, the Ministry of Water and Livestock Development’s Zoo-Sanitary Inspector is responsible for inspection procedures relating to health and sanitary regulations.  Imported animals are subject to quarantine regulations, and to examination by a veterinarian at the port of entry.
  • The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is responsible for the inspection of imported plants.  The importation of fresh fruit, plants, plant parts, and seeds are subject to quarantine regulations and may enter only at designated ports, where they will be subject to examination.

Special Customs Formalities 

  • Imported animals may enter only at designated ports.
  • Imports of the following plants should be made through designated port of entry: coffee except roasted beans, cotton, tobacco, cacao, coconuts, groundnuts, lucerne and clover, rubber, maize, wheat, cloves, peach, barberry, buckthorn, and potatoes.

Source: (This information has to be verified from Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and Ministry of Water and Livestock Development in Tanzania) 

Procedure for Bringing Pets to Tanzania

  • It is possible to import dogs and cats, but health and vaccination certificates are required.  Dogs and cats should be vaccinated for rabies at least 1 month and not more than 3 years prior to their entry into Tanzania.
  • An import permit should be obtained by sending a letter of request to the Director of Veterinary Services in Tanzania, Ministry of Water and Livestock Development (see address above). In this letter the applicant should state, Type/Breed of pet, age, port of entry in Tanzania and attach vaccination certificates.

The following vaccinations are recommended:  

  • DHLP: Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis and Parvo.
  • Puppies should be vaccinated when they are five to seven weeks old with repeat vaccinations two weeks and six weeks later. The rabies vaccination should be administered with the third vaccination. 

Vaccination for worms  

  • Vaccination for worms should be done every three months or the pets may be given worm tablets every 45 days.

Note

  • If applicant has hosts in Tanzania, it is helpful if they make a follow up of the application and collect the permit on behalf
  • Imported animals are subject to examination by a veterinarian at the port of entry and subject to quarantine if need be.  
  • If you want to take your pet back with you obtain an export permit.
  • The above permit applications is separate from entry visa which should be made to the nearest Consulate / High Commission. Resident and Work Permit application should be made to the immigration department in Tanzania before entry to Tanzania