How it works
- Choose the item and check the seller's reviews and whether they ship to Tanzania.
- Decide how it will arrive: the seller ships directly, or you use a freight forwarder (a service with an address abroad that consolidates and ships your orders).
- Pay the seller (usually by card or an international payment method).
- The goods are shipped and arrive in Tanzania, where they go through customs clearance.
- You pay any duty, VAT and clearing fees, then collect or receive the goods.
The real cost: price plus shipping plus duty
The price shown is only the start. Add the shipping, and when the goods enter Tanzania the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) may charge customs duty and VAT, depending on the item and its value, plus clearing or handling fees. So the price you finally pay is usually noticeably higher than the listed price.
Many people report that small, low-value parcels often pass without charges while larger ones are charged, but treat that as a rough pattern, not a rule: TRA decides at clearance, and rules change. Check the current rules on the TRA website (tra.go.tz) or ask your courier or forwarder before you order.
- Work out the total before you click buy: item + shipping + duty and VAT + clearing + delivery from the port or airport to you.
- Compare with the local price, for example in Kariakoo. Sometimes the local price is the same or lower once everything is added up.
- Keep the invoice. Customs may ask for it.
How long it takes
Plan on weeks, not days. Time depends on the seller, the shipping method and customs clearance. Do not order something you need by a fixed date unless you have allowed plenty of extra time.
Common mistakes
- Ordering electronics with no warranty that works in Tanzania.
- Forgetting duty and VAT, and being surprised at clearance.
- Trusting a seller with no reviews because the price is very low.
- Ordering items that are restricted or prohibited. Check before you buy.
- Assuming you can easily return it. Returning abroad is slow and costly.
Need it this week?
If you need something soon, ordering locally is usually faster and easier. On Nunua Pro you can browse local shops with prices, ask questions before buying, and have it delivered or collect it yourself. If it is not in a shop near you, a verified buyer can shop for it at a market or another shop and bring it to you.
Other ways to shop online in Tanzania
Compare with what is available locally
Browse the shops that take orders now, no app needed.