The Minister for Finance, Khamis Mussa Omar, has concluded a two-day official visit to the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) headquarters in Dar es Salaam, underscoring the government’s resolve to strengthen revenue administration and curb tax evasion, particularly in the handling of transit cargo.
During the visit, which ended on February 27, 2026, Ambassador Omar toured several critical departments, including Customs, the Transit Monitoring Unit, the Tax Investigation Department, the Domestic Revenue Department, and the team managing the Integrated Domestic Revenue Administration System (IDRAS).
The inspection focused on evaluating operational performance and identifying gaps that could undermine revenue collection.
The Minister directed TRA to intensify oversight of goods entering Tanzania for onward transportation to neighbouring countries, warning that loopholes in transit cargo management continue to be exploited by a few dishonest customs agents.
He issued the directive after inspecting customs operations at the Dar es Salaam Port, the country’s main gateway for international trade.
While acknowledging gains in customs revenue, Ambassador Omar noted that tax evasion through transit consignments remains a significant challenge.
He explained that some agents falsely declare goods as destined for neighbouring markets, only to divert and distribute them within Tanzania in breach of regulations, a practice commonly known as dumping.
The Finance Minister also called for closer cooperation between TRA and Tanzania’s key trading partners, including China, India, and the United Arab Emirates.
He stressed that enhanced collaboration is especially critical at a time when China has removed customs duties on selected imports from African countries, a move that could increase trade volumes and, potentially, risks of revenue leakage.
Responding to the Minister’s directives, TRA Commissioner General Yusuph Mwenda assured that the authority would implement all instructions aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and accountability in revenue collection.
As part of ongoing efforts to tighten control over transit cargo, TRA has deployed electronic tracking devices and specialised cameras on cargo trucks to monitor movements and detect false declarations. Through these measures, the authority has uncovered 16 dumping cases valued at TZS3.2 billion.
Of these, 15 cases have resulted in fines amounting to TZS2.5 billion, while one case remains before the courts.
