2.3.7 Tanzania Border Crossing of Mbamba (Malawi)

Customs Clearance

The port of Mbamba is located on Lake Nyasa and constitutes a border crossing point with Malawi, through the port of Nkhata. Mbamba is the eastern point of the Mtwara corridor project, which aims to link Mtwara port to Mbamba port. The goal is to provide road, rail and waterway infrastructure to access southern Tanzania, Northern Mozambique, Eastern Malawi and Eastern Zambia.

There are different transport options on Lake Nyasa such as barges, tankers and small cargo vessels as well as passenger vessels. The port of Mbamba is underutilized at the moment and would require investment to improve its infrastructure.

Border Crossing Location and Contact

Name of Border Crossing Tanzania: Mbamba Malawi: Nkhata

Province or District Ruvuma district

Nearest Town or City with Distance from Border Crossing Mbamba Bay (0 km)

Latitude -11.288078

Longitude 34.803248

Managing Authority / Agency Tanzania Port Authority (TPA)

Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA)

Contact Person

Travel Times

Page 1 Nearest International Airport Songwe Airport (630 km)

Truck Travel Time: 12 hrs

Car Travel time: 12 hrs

Nearest Port Mtwara Port (815 km)

Truck Travel Time: 14 hrs

Car Travel time: 14 hrs

Nearest location with functioning wholesale markets, or with significant manufacturing or production capacity Mbamba Bay (0 km)

Truck Travel Time: 14 hrs

Car Travel time: 14 hrs

Other Information

Customs Clearance

Usual documents are required for the custom clearance including invoice, packing list, permits, and the contract signed between the customer and the clearance agent, if any. The truck driver has to present his passport to the authorities. Note that the goods are subject to examination upon entering the country. The fees vary in function of the origin, destination, and the number of axles. For small vehicles, the fees are mainly based on the longer of the journey in Tanzania.

For more information on customs in Tanzania, please see the following link: 1.3 Customs Information.

For more information on government contact details, please see the following link: 4.1 Government Contact List.

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