Plastic bag ban

Since June 1st, 2019, plastic bags have been banned in Tanzania. This is very important information for travelers, since it’s also banned to bring in any plastic bags to Tanzania. You might be searched on arrival, and there is a fine in place in case you have banned plastic bags.

The official statement says: “The Government of Tanzania wishes to make an official note to travelers planning to travel to Tanzania that from 1st June 2019 all plastic carrier bags, regardless of their thickness will be prohibited from being imported, exported, manufactured, sold, stored, supplied and used in mainland Tanzania.”

This ban covers whole Tanzania, including Zanzibar.

See the official government statement in whole below. Please note that it mentiones Mainland Tanzania specifically because in Zanzibar, plastic bags have been banned for a long time already.