Tanzania

Tanzania has strict drug laws — severe penalties including lengthy prison sentences apply to both supplying and simple possession of any drug, including when transiting through the airport.

Lengthy prison sentences; applies to transit passengers.

Verified Jul 29, 2026

Cannabis is illegal in mainland Tanzania, and no quantity makes possession lawful. Section 18(1)(b) of the Drug Control and Enforcement Act punishes possession of a narcotic drug or psychotropic substance other than cocaine, morphine or diacetyl-morphine with a fine of not less than TZS 500,000, imprisonment for three years, or both. Where the quantity is small, the burden of proving it was intended for your own consumption and not for sale or distribution lies on you (s. 18(2)) -- and the Act does not itself fix that threshold: s. 18(3) says "small quantity" means a quantity prescribed by the Minister in regulations, which were not available on an official Tanzanian host for this entry. Using it is a separate offence under s. 19, and so is being found without lawful excuse in a place used for drug use or carrying a pipe or utensil for it. The provision travellers should know: a second or subsequent conviction under this Act carries a fine of TZS 10 million or imprisonment for life. The Act applies to Mainland Tanzania only -- Zanzibar has its own drug legislation.

Possession of cannabis, as a narcotic drug other than cocaine, morphine or diacetyl-morphine: a fine of not less than TZS 500,000, imprisonment for three years, or both (s. 18(1)(b), as amended by Act No. 9 of 2021 s. 20). Smoking, inhaling, sniffing, injecting or otherwise using it, being found without lawful and reasonable excuse in a house, room or place illegally used for that, or being found in possession of a pipe or other utensil for it: a fine of not less than TZS 1 million, imprisonment for three years, or both (s. 19). Cultivating a prohibited plant, possessing or supplying seeds for drug production, or being the owner or occupier who permits land to be used for cultivation: imprisonment for not less than thirty years, with no fine alternative (s. 11(1)). A second and every subsequent conviction under the Act: a fine of TZS 10 million or imprisonment for life (s. 27(1)). Bail must be refused where the charge involves trafficking cannabis, khat or any other prohibited plant weighing twenty kilograms or more (s. 30(1)(b)); for cannabis resin and other manufactured drugs the unbailable threshold is twenty grammes (s. 30(1)(a)). An attempt carries not less than half the maximum imprisonment and half the maximum fine for the completed offence (s. 26).

Verified Oct 9, 2026

Declare international currency worth more than USD 10,000 on both entry to and exit from Tanzania; non-resident visitors may not import or export Tanzanian Shillings.

Undeclared currency can be confiscated.

Verified Jul 29, 2026

It is illegal to import or export any animal or animal part without export certification from the Tanzanian government.

Criminal prosecution; covers ivory and wildlife trophies.

Verified Jul 29, 2026

Single-use plastic bags are banned in Tanzania, including in your luggage — if you arrive by air you will be asked to hand them over on arrival.

Heavy fines and imprisonment for up to 7 days.

Verified Jul 29, 2026

You can drive in Tanzania on your home licence for up to 6 months — beyond that you need an International Driving Permit — and driving in Zanzibar additionally requires a local Zanzibar driving permit.

Roads are hazardous and accidents causing death and serious injury are common; avoid driving outside major towns at night.

Verified Jul 29, 2026

Photographing military installations is forbidden in Tanzania, and people have been detained or had cameras confiscated for photographing hospitals, schools, bridges, industrial sites and airports.

Detention and camera confiscation; possible detention for related social-media activity.

Verified Jul 29, 2026

Consensual same-sex sexual relations are a criminal offense in Tanzania, including on Zanzibar, and those convicted may be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison.

Up to 30 years in prison; travellers may also be denied entry.

Verified Jul 29, 2026

Dress modestly throughout Tanzania — women wearing shorts or sleeveless tops away from tourist resorts in Zanzibar and Pemba, particularly Stone Town, may cause offence, and Zanzibari authorities can fine you.

Zanzibari authorities can fine visitors USD 700 or more for clothing they consider inappropriate in public; for guides or tour operators the fine can be at least USD 1,000.

Verified Jul 29, 2026