Tanzania: Import Regulations for Used Medical

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