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Can you bring medication to Tanzania?

At a glance

  • Controlled medication — allowed, within limits

    English prescription required, at most 30 days of treatment; larger quantities need a TMDA permit; Schedule IV narcotics (1961 Convention) not allowed

  • Injectable medication — allowed, within limits

    Up to 21 days' supply, as for any pharmaceutical product

  • Prescription medication — allowed, within limits

    Enough for up to 21 days of treatment for yourself or a companion; more than that needs a TMDA permit

  • Controlled medication

    allowed, within limits

    English prescription required, at most 30 days of treatment; larger quantities need a TMDA permit; Schedule IV narcotics (1961 Convention) not allowed

    TMDA's Guidelines for Dealing in Controlled Drugs (s. 2.5.2(d)): travellers carrying preparations with internationally controlled drugs for personal use must (i) carry a prescription from a registered practitioner, written in English, giving the patient's name, the medicine's name (trade and INN), posology and total amount prescribed, with a treatment duration of "not more than 30 days" (any longer treatment must be prescribed inside Tanzania); (ii) apply to TMDA for an import permit if the quantity exceeds the internationally recommended limit; (iii) "Narcotic drugs included in schedule IV of the 1961 Convention are not allowed to be carried by travelers even if they are permitted in the country of departure"; (iv) schedule III preparations of the 1961 Convention may be carried without restriction; (v) the type and quantity must comply with the rules of the origin and destination countries and international rules. A permit application otherwise needs a prescription, a letter giving reasons and a current medical report from a reputable hospital. TMDA defines controlled drugs as any narcotic drug, psychotropic substance or precursor listed under s. 77 of the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Act. No specific drugs (e.g. ADHD stimulants) are named in the traveller rule. TMDA's guidelines apply to Tanzania Mainland; Zanzibar regulates medicines separately and was not researched in this pass. Edition dated January 2021.

    Doctor's letter checklist

    Only what Tanzania's rule asks the letter or prescription to include. Tick each one off with your doctor.

    Source Guidelines for Dealing in Controlled Drugs (Third Edition, January 2021), Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority, s. 2.5.2Checked against the official source on 2026-10-10

    Also covers: controlled medication, narcotic medication, psychotropic medication, opioids, adhd medication, stimulants, benzodiazepines, sleeping pills, strong painkillers

    Source Guidelines for Dealing in Controlled Drugs (Third Edition, January 2021), Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority, s. 2.5.2Checked against the source on 2026-10-10

  • Injectable medication

    allowed, within limits

    Up to 21 days' supply, as for any pharmaceutical product

    Tanzania has no separate traveller rule for injectables. Under TMDA's personal-use rule (s. 2.5.2), a visitor to Tanzania Mainland may bring "such quantity of any pharmaceutical product as may be required during a period of 21 days" for their own treatment or a companion's; larger amounts need a TMDA permit. Brand-name GLP-1 pens are not named by the source. Needles and syringes (medical devices) are not covered by this rule and were not researched. TMDA's guidelines apply to Tanzania Mainland; Zanzibar regulates medicines separately and was not researched in this pass.

    Also covers: injectable medication, insulin, insulin pen, injections, injectable

    Source Guidelines for Importation and Exportation of Pharmaceutical Products (Fourth Edition, January 2021), Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority, s. 2.5.2Checked against the source on 2026-10-10

  • Prescription medication

    allowed, within limits

    Enough for up to 21 days of treatment for yourself or a companion; more than that needs a TMDA permit

    TMDA's import/export guidelines (s. 2.5.2, Importation of pharmaceuticals for personal use): "Any bona fide tourist or visitor who enters into or person normally resident who re-enter Tanzania Mainland may bring with him such quantity of any pharmaceutical product as may be required during a period of 21 days for the medical treatment of himself, any member or partner travelling with him." Larger personal-use imports need a TMDA permit, with a prescription from a registered practitioner and a letter giving the reasons if TMDA asks for one. Controlled medicines (narcotics, psychotropics) have their own rules: see controlled-medication-tz. TMDA's guidelines apply to Tanzania Mainland; Zanzibar regulates medicines separately and was not researched in this pass. Guideline edition dated January 2021, still the version TMDA publishes (checked 2026-10-10).

    Also covers: medication, medicine, prescription medicine, prescription drugs, pills, tablets

    Source Guidelines for Importation and Exportation of Pharmaceutical Products (Fourth Edition, January 2021), Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority, s. 2.5.2Checked against the source on 2026-10-10

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Informational only — not legal advice. Customs rules change; confirm with the official source above before you travel. See update history