Clearing and Forwarding Agents – What are the requirements and how to apply – Tanzania

SRA

Introduction:

Clearing and Forwarding Agents (CFAs) are persons licenced by the Commissioner for Customs & Excise Department to carry on the duty of processing documents and clearing goods from customs control on behalf of the importers.

What are the requirements for a person to be registered as CFA?

To apply for CFA a person must submit to the Commissioner for Customs and Excise Department the following documents:
  1. Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)
  2. VAT Certificate
  3. The current tax clearance letter from Domestic Revenue / Large Taxpayers department
  4. Valid Business License from the Ministry of Industries, Trade and Marketing,
  5. Memorandum and Articles of Association,
  6. Certificate of Incorporation
  7. Valid customs licence for the previous year (renewal)
  8. Recent passport size photographs of directors and key employees duly certified by Notary Public or Commissioner for Oaths
  9. Copies of identity card, passport or other form of identification of the directors and staffs proposed to directly handle or sign customs documents,
  10. Lease/title deed of the office or premise,
  11. Letter(s) from guarantor(s) confirming annual premium remittances in respect of relevant bond securities, (Renewal)
  12. Valid tenancy agreement for sustainable office accommodation or proof of ownership

Other requirements are as follows:

i.             Have an established office with a computer capable of connecting to customs computer systems, the physical location of which shall be indicated in the application form for Connection to ASYCUDA ++ (Renewal)

ii.             The applicant should not have offences or any TRA outstanding liability.

 

Application of the CFA

Application for the Customs Agency Licence is done online through Customs Licence Application System (CULAS) Link

An application must be accompanied by:

(i) Proof of payment of US Dollar Fifty (USD 50) application fee,

(ii) Have at least two employees in charge of clearance with a diploma, certificate in customs training from a recognised institute or a minimum of five years experience in customs operations,

(iii) Proof of affiliation or membership of a recognised clearing and forwarding association, (Renewal)

(iv) Agent should not have abandoned PADS or offences or any TRA outstanding liability,

(v) Certificate of registration with SUMATRA as per SUMATRA Act, 2001, (Renewal)

(vi) Bank account details,

(vii) TRA employees are not eligible to have any stake in the Clearing and Forwarding licence applicant.

What are the roles and responsibilities of CFA

·         To advise importers accurately on the processes and procedures of clearance of goods.

·         To ensure that proper documents are lodged and goods are cleared as per the requirement of the law.

·         To keep and maintain all records as per the requirement of the law.

Duration of the Licence

In accordance with the provision of the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004 all licences are valid for a calendar year i.e. 1 January to 31December  every year.