US embassy cable - 05DARESSALAAM724

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000724 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USDOC FOR MAS/MFG/OHCG/SFRANCIS 
 
E.O. 12958:N/A 
TAGS: BEXP, ETRD, TZ 
SUBJECT: Tanzania: Import Regulations for Used Medical 
Equipment 
 
REF: A) USDOC 0292 
 
1. Per reftel, post submits input for the ITA/OMMI 
report on import regulations governing used and 
refurbished medical equipment.  In general, the 2002 
report available online (as listed in reftel) remains 
valid.  Tanzania has no restrictions on the importation 
of used and refurbished equipment, and imposes no 
special restrictions, standards, or tariffs that do not 
apply to new medical equipment. 
 
2. Public health institutions in Tanzania are barred 
from purchasing used equipment, and the private market 
for medical equipment is very limited.  Most used 
equipment imported to Tanzania is given as a donation 
by donor agencies or NGOs.  Still, private companies 
are not restricted from buying used equipment. 
 
3. The importation of medical equipment (used or new) 
must be approved on a consignment basis by the Ministry 
of Health's Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA). 
Inspection is not necessary, but there is a fee of 0.2% 
of FOB value (not to exceed USD 400).  Upon TFDA 
approval, medical equipment is VAT-exempted.  Tariffs 
are charged based on the East African Community Common 
External Tariff list, which went into effect in January 
2005.  Most medical equipment is zero-rated. 
 
4. According to the TFDA, single-use devices are not 
reprocessed locally.  They may be reprocessed abroad 
and imported into Tanzania, but this activity is not 
regulated beyond the normal import requirements. 
 
STILLMAN