Gold Trading & Export from Tanzania: Legal Requirements, Taxes, Royalties & Opportunities for Investors (2025 Guide)

A complete guide to gold trading and export in Tanzania—covering legal requirements, dealer licences, taxes, royalties, export permits, Mineral & Gem Houses, SEZ opportunities, and how to start a compliant gold business with Zatra Consultants.

1. Tanzania: One of Africa’s Largest Gold Producers

Tanzania is Africa’s 4th largest gold producer, hosting world-class deposits across:

• Geita

• Mara

• Shinyanga

• Simiyu

• Kagera

• Tabora

• Lake Victoria Goldfields

Gold comes from:

• Large-scale mines

• Medium-scale operations

• Primary Mining Licence (PML) holders

• Artisanal & Small-Scale Miners (ASM)

Because of the abundance of ASM gold production, there is high supply availability for licensed gold dealers and exporters.

2. The Legal Framework for Gold Trading in Tanzania

All gold trading and export activities are regulated by:

• Mining Act, Cap. 123

• Mining (Minerals Trading) Regulations

• Mining (Mineral & Gem Houses) Regulations, 2019

• Mining Commission directives

These laws require:

✔ A valid Mineral Dealer Licence for gold

Without this licence, a company cannot buy, store, sell, or export gold.

✔ Tanzanians must own at least 25% shares in any gold trading company

This is non-negotiable under the Mining Act.

✔ All gold must be verified, taxed, and declared

Royalties and inspection fees are mandatory.

✔ Exports require official export permits

Including valuation, assay, and customs clearance.

3. Gold Dealer Licence Requirements

To legally trade or export gold, your company must secure:

• Certificate of Incorporation

• Business Licence

• TIN Certificate

• Premises approved by Zonal Mines Office

• Mineral Dealer Licence for Gold

• Quarterly reporting compliance

• Royalties & inspection fees paid

• Export permits for every consignment

Minerals covered by a Gold Dealer Licence:

• Gold bars

• Gold dore

• Nuggets

• Gold dust

• Gold scraps

• Semi-refined gold

• ASM-produced gold

4. Where Gold Trading Occurs: Mineral & Gem Houses

The Government established Mineral & Gem Houses to:

• Control illegal gold trade

• Increase transparency

• Provide official inspection, assay, and valuation

• Facilitate royalty collection

Licensed gold dealers may:

• Purchase gold inside Mineral & Gem Houses

• Sell gold through the Houses

• Use the Houses for valuation/assay before export

Major houses are in:

• Geita

• Mwanza

• Dar es Salaam

• Arusha

• Kahama

• Mbeya

• Manyara

5. Taxes, Royalties & Fees for Gold Export

Official fiscal obligations include:

1. Royalty

6% of gross value (deducted at point of sale/export).

2. Inspection Fee

1% of gross value.

3. Export Permit Fee

Paid to the Mining Commission (amount varies).

4. Assay Charges

For gold dore and unrefined gold.

5. Customs Charges

As per TRA (if applicable).

All payments are made through Government systems, increasing transparency.

6. Gold Export Procedure (Step-by-Step)

Below is the complete, legally accurate export process.

STEP 1 — Source Gold Legally

Gold must be purchased from:

• Licensed PML holders

• Licensed dealers

• Mineral & Gem Houses

A dealer must issue:

• Official purchase receipts

• Payment of royalties and inspection fee

• Transaction register entry

STEP 2 — Obtain Assay Verification

Gold dore or unrefined gold must undergo:

• Chemical or fire assay

• Government valuation

• Quality & purity verification

Assays can be done in:

• Government assay labs

• Approved private labs

• Mineral & Gem Houses

STEP 3 — Apply for an Export Permit

Submit to the Zonal Mines Office:

• Dealer Licence

• Export application form

• Assay report

• Proof of royalty and inspection fee payments

• Receiver details

• Invoice & packaging list

• Security details

Approval is issued by the Mining Commission.

STEP 4 — Customs Clearance

After receiving the Export Permit:

• TRA Customs verifies documents

• Gold is weighed and sealed

• Export is logged in government systems

• Security escort (if required)

STEP 5 — Shipment

Depending on buyer demands:

• Hand-carry (with clearance)

• Air cargo

• Secured shipment through approved carriers

The shipment must be accompanied by:

• Export Permit

• Valuation Certificate

• Assay Certificate

• Commercial Invoice

• Packing List

• Customs Release

7. Why International Buyers Prefer Tanzanian Gold

✔ Reliable supply from ASM & large mines

✔ Clear legal framework

✔ Transparent government verification

✔ Established export procedures

✔ Active investment push for gold value addition

8. Opportunities for Investors in Tanzania’s Gold Sector

1. Gold dealership & export companies

High margins & scalable opportunities.

2. Mineral & Gem House partnerships

Set up buying desks inside the Houses.

3. Gold processing plants

ore-to-dore processing for PML miners.

4. Gold refinery projects

Government encourages local refining under SEZ status.

5. Export aggregation hubs

Collect gold from multiple small miners & export.

6. Joint ventures with ASM groups

Secure long-term supply agreements.

9. Special Economic Zones (SEZ) for Gold Refining

Under TISEZA, gold refining plants benefit from:

• Duty-free machinery

• Tax incentives

• Export benefits

• Land acquisition support

• Fast entry workflows

Investors in:

• Gold refineries

• Assay labs

• Jewellery manufacturing

  
  

10. Key Risks (and How to Avoid Them)

⚠ Buying from unlicensed sellers

Always purchase only from PML holders or licensed dealers.

⚠ Skipping assay verification

Never export gold without proper assay & valuation.

⚠ Incorrect export documentation

This triggers delays or seizure.

⚠ Non-compliance with royalties

Royalties must be paid before export.

Zatra Consultants mitigates all these risks.

11. How Zatra Consultants Helps You Operate Legally & Profitably

Zatra Consultants is Tanzania’s most trusted gold business advisor.We help investors enter the gold market safely, quickly, and legally.

Our Gold Services Include:

✔ Gold Dealer Licence acquisition

✔ Company registration & 25% Tanzanian shareholder structuring

✔ Export permits & Mining Commission liaison

✔ Assay & valuation support

✔ Setting up gold buying offices or Mineral & Gem House desks

✔ Designing full gold trading workflows

✔ Secure compliance systems (registers, permits, quarterly reports)

✔ Gold refinery feasibility studies & SEZ applications

✔ Verified sourcing networks for PML & ASM supply

We help investors from:

• UAE

• India

• Turkey

• Hong Kong

• China

• USA

• Europe

• Saudi Arabia

• South Africa and dozens more countries.

12. Ready to Start a Gold Trading or Refining Business in Tanzania?

Let Zatra Consultants assist you with a full, legally compliant, profitable setup from A–Z.

📩 Email: sales@zatra.co

📞 WhatsApp: +255 747 912 965

📍 Address: Sinza A, Sam Nujoma Road, Mwenge Tower, Opp. Mlimani City, Dar es Salaam