Cross-border money-movement rules — Tanzania
The cross-border money-movement rules for Tanzania — what may move across the border, and under what rule: who may move money (the licensed channel), export-proceeds repatriation, capital controls, cash-declaration thresholds and allowances, remittance-operator scope and investor transfer rights. Each rule is the record as published in the cited official instrument, in its own words, with its source date. Rules, not rates — never an exchange rate.
Who may move money (licensed channel)
| Rule | The record | Source | Source date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Licensed-channel requirement | A person may hold, sell or buy foreign currency within Tanzania only through a bank, financial institution or bureau de change. Verbatim“may, within the United Republic- (a) hold any amount of foreign currency; (b) sell to or purchase any amount of foreign currency from a bank, financial institution or bureau de change; and (c) open and maintain a foreign currency account with a bank or financial institution.” | Foreign Exchange Regulations, 2022 (GN No. 294 of 2022, made under s.6(1) FX Act Cap 271) | 2022-05-13 |
Repatriation & investor transfers
| Rule | The record | Source | Source date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Export-proceeds repatriation inward | Export proceeds must be received within the payment period agreed for the transaction, which may not exceed ninety days. (90 days) Verbatim“The exporter shall ensure that export proceeds are received within the payment period agreed for that transaction which shall not be more than ninety days.” | Foreign Exchange Regulations, 2022 (GN No. 294 of 2022, made under s.6(1) FX Act Cap 271) | 2022-05-13 |
| Investor's right to transfer out outward | A business enterprise under the Tanzania Investment Act is guaranteed unconditional transferability, through an authorised dealer bank in convertible currency, of net profits, loan servicing and sale/liquidation proceeds. Verbatim“a business enterprise to which this Act applies shall be guaranteed unconditional transferability through any authorised dealer bank in freely convertible currency of- (a) net profits or dividends attributable to the investment; (b) payments in respect of loan servicing where a foreign loan has been obtained; (c) proceeds, net of all taxes and other obligations, in the event of sale or liquidation…” | Tanzania Investment Act, Chapter 38 (official English version, GN No. 395B published 13/6/2023) | 2023-06-13 |
Capital controls
| Rule | The record | Source | Source date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic foreign-currency use | Since 28 March 2025, pricing and payment for goods and services within Tanzania must be in Tanzanian Shillings; it is an offence to quote, advertise or indicate prices in foreign currency domestically. (in force from 2025-03-28) Verbatim“Under these Regulations, pricing and payment for all goods and services within the country must be in Tanzanian Shillings. Therefore, it is an offence to quote, advertise, or indicate prices in foreign currency, to compel, facilitate, or accept payment in foreign currency, or to refuse payment made in Tanzanian Shillings.” | BoT Public Notice: Prohibition on the Use of Foreign Currency for Local Transactions (confirms the Use of Foreign Currency Regulations, 2025, Gazette No. 198 of 28/3/2025) | 2025-05-02 |
| Outward-capital approval / restriction outward | A resident may not undertake outward portfolio investment, acquisition of real estate, or outward direct investment outside the EAC/SADC prescribed territory, nor lend to non-residents. Verbatim“Notwithstanding any provision of these Regulations, a resident may not engage in- (a) outward portfolio investment, acquisition of real estate and outward direct investment outside the prescribed territory; and (b) credit accommodation in favour of any non-resident.” | Foreign Exchange Regulations, 2022 (GN No. 294 of 2022, made under s.6(1) FX Act Cap 271) | 2022-05-13 |
Limits, thresholds & allowances
| Rule | The record | Source | Source date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cross-border cash-declaration threshold | A person entering or leaving Tanzania with foreign currency exceeding US$10,000-equivalent must declare it to Customs. (US$10,000) Verbatim“A person who enters or leaves the United Republic while in possession of foreign currency exceeding ten thousand United States dollars or its equivalent shall declare to the Customs authorities at the time of arrival or departure as provided for under the Anti-Money Laundering (Cross Border Declaration of Currency and Bearer Negotiable Instruments) Regulations, 2016.” | Foreign Exchange Regulations, 2022 (GN No. 294 of 2022, made under s.6(1) FX Act Cap 271) | 2022-05-13 |
| Travel / discretionary FX allowance outward | A person may purchase up to US$10,000-equivalent per trip from a bank, financial institution or bureau de change for travel outside Tanzania, on residency and travel documents. (US$10,000 per trip) Verbatim“For the purpose of travel outside the United Republic, a person may, upon submission of supporting documents relating to his residency and valid travelling documents, purchase from a bank, financial institutions or bureau de change, foreign exchange at an amount the equivalent of which does not exceed ten thousand United States dollars.” | Foreign Exchange Regulations, 2022 (GN No. 294 of 2022, made under s.6(1) FX Act Cap 271) | 2022-05-13 |
The cross-border rules as published in the cited official instruments, as of each source's date — not legal or compliance advice. Rules, not rates: Afriset records the rules of cross-border money movement (windows, thresholds, allowances, channel and approval requirements), never a currency or exchange rate. A "documented absence" is a sourced finding that no such rule exists (e.g. a repealed exchange-control regime), true as of the source read — regimes can change, so verify current status with the regulator before acting.
Compare across markets
- Licensed-channel requirement across markets
- Outward-capital approval / restriction across markets
- Cross-border cash-declaration threshold across markets
- Export-proceeds repatriation across markets
- Travel / discretionary FX allowance across markets
- Investor's right to transfer out across markets
- Domestic foreign-currency use across markets
Licence registers for Tanzania
Who's licensed, and what it takes, per licence category in Tanzania.