In this article
- The Central Corridor at a glance
- Step 1: plan the shipment
- Step 2: documents before the ship sails
- Step 3: lodge the declaration early
- Step 4: release at the port
- Step 5: inland transport
- Step 6: borders
- Step 7: clearance and delivery
- How to ship cargo from Dar es Salaam to each destination
- Cost drivers
- Mistakes to avoid on the Central Corridor
- Mombasa as the alternative
- How Haraka Freight helps
- Conclusion
Dar es Salaam is the second great gateway to Africa's Great Lakes region. For many importers in Burundi, south-eastern Congo and Rwanda, it is the first choice. This hub guide explains how to ship cargo from Dar es Salaam to Rwanda, the DRC and Burundi: how to plan, which documents matter, what happens at the port and on the Central Corridor, and how clearance works at destination. Along the way it links to our detailed guides for each route and city.
The Central Corridor at a glance
The port of Dar es Salaam is operated by the Tanzania Ports Authority (opens in a new tab). It anchors the Central Corridor, the network of road, rail and lake links that carries cargo from Tanzania's coast to its landlocked neighbours. The Central Corridor Transit Transport Facilitation Agency (opens in a new tab), headquartered in Dar es Salaam, brings together seven member states: Burundi, the DRC, Malawi, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. Malawi and Zambia joined in 2023.
The corridor has three main branches for the destinations in this guide:
| Branch | Path | Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| West to Rwanda | Dar es Salaam → across Tanzania → Rusumo | Kigali and Rwanda; onward to Goma and Bukavu |
| West to Burundi | Dar es Salaam → across Tanzania → Kobero/Kabanga (or rail to Kigoma and lake) | Bujumbura and Burundi |
| South-west to Zambia | Dar es Salaam → Tunduma/Nakonde → Zambia → Kasumbalesa | Lubumbashi and south-eastern DRC |
Step 1: plan the shipment
Know your destination. The branch you use depends on it. Goma and Bukavu go through Rwanda; Lubumbashi goes through Zambia; Bujumbura goes directly from Tanzania.
Agree trade terms. Decide who books the sea freight and who manages the inland leg. Appointing one forwarder for both often avoids gaps at the port. See the ICC's Incoterms rules (opens in a new tab) for the standard terms.
Choose the equipment. FCL for larger volumes; LCL for smaller ones; special equipment (open-top, flat-rack) for out-of-gauge cargo.
Check destination rules. Permits for food, medicines and other regulated goods should be in place before shipping.
Insure the cargo. Cargo insurance covers the sea and land legs.
Step 2: documents before the ship sails
| Document | Key checks |
|---|---|
| Bill of lading | Correct consignee; destination clearly shown; discharge at Dar es Salaam |
| Commercial invoice | Clear descriptions, values and Incoterm |
| Packing list | Consistent package counts and weights |
| Burundi BSC/ECTN | For Burundi sea cargo where required, issued at the loading port |
| Certificate of origin | Only for tariff preferences |
| Permits | For regulated goods, obtained in advance |
A short review of draft documents with your forwarder before sailing prevents most of the problems that otherwise appear at the port or border.
Step 3: lodge the declaration early
Rwanda and Burundi apply the EAC Single Customs Territory: cargo is declared once, in the destination country, which collects the duties. The Tanzania Revenue Authority receives the manifest before arrival, and release comes from the destination authority (TRA explainer (opens in a new tab)). Lodging the destination declaration while the ship is at sea is the best way to move the container quickly.
The DRC handles its own import clearance. DRC-bound cargo is entered for transit at Dar es Salaam and in Rwanda or Zambia, and only imported at the Congolese border or inland office. Our guide to DRC customs clearance for transit cargo explains the stages.
Step 4: release at the port
On arrival, the container is discharged and must be released by the shipping line, by customs and by the port before it can leave. Typical requirements: freight charges settled, the bill of lading presented or telex-released, customs clearance for transit or under the Single Customs Territory, and port charges paid.
Keep an eye on free time. Storage, demurrage and detention charges start after a limited number of free days, so everything should be ready on arrival. Read transit cargo from Dar es Salaam for the port stage in detail.
Step 5: inland transport
Most cargo leaves by truck. For some goods, rail is an option: Tanzania's central railway reaches Kigoma on Lake Tanganyika, and the TAZARA railway (opens in a new tab) links Tanzania and Zambia.
On the road, manage:
- Weights: axle-load limits apply and are checked at weighbridges.
- Vehicle and driver documents: required at each border.
- Cargo security: sealed containers, secure lashing.
- Tracking and updates: you should always know where the cargo is.
Step 6: borders
| Destination | Main border(s) from Tanzania |
|---|---|
| Rwanda | Rusumo |
| Goma / Bukavu | Rusumo, then Rubavu–Goma or Rusizi–Bukavu |
| Burundi | Kobero/Kabanga (road); Bujumbura lake port (lake) |
| Lubumbashi | Tunduma–Nakonde, then Kasumbalesa |
Border status in the region can change for health, security or political reasons. The Central Corridor's direct link to Burundi has been especially valuable since Burundi closed its land frontier with Rwanda in January 2024, a closure still in place for travellers according to KT Press reporting in September 2026 (opens in a new tab). For the Kivus, check the Rwanda–DRC crossings before each dispatch.
Step 7: clearance and delivery
At destination, the cargo is assessed, duties and taxes are paid, any inspection is carried out and the goods are released for delivery. Plan unloading at the delivery address, the return of the empty container, and storage if you are not ready to receive the goods. Our warehousing in Rwanda service can hold stock for later delivery.
How to ship cargo from Dar es Salaam to each destination
Rwanda
Cargo crosses Tanzania to Rusumo and is cleared by the Rwanda Revenue Authority. See Dar es Salaam to Rwanda logistics.
Burundi
The most direct of the corridor's international lanes, with a road option via Kobero/Kabanga and a rail-and-lake option via Kigoma. Read Dar es Salaam to Burundi freight, the city guide Dar es Salaam to Bujumbura freight, and our Dar es Salaam to Burundi logistics service.
The DRC
Two very different routes: through Rwanda to the Kivus, or through Zambia to Haut-Katanga. Read Dar es Salaam to DRC freight and Dar es Salaam to Lubumbashi freight, and see our Dar es Salaam to DRC logistics service.
Cost drivers
No two quotes on the Central Corridor are the same. The main cost elements are:
- ocean freight to Dar es Salaam;
- port, terminal and shipping line charges;
- inland transport (road, rail or lake);
- transit bonds and border fees;
- duties and taxes at destination;
- clearance, handling and delivery;
- returning the empty container;
- insurance.
Ask for an itemised quote and compare it with the equivalent through Mombasa. Our article on Mombasa vs Dar es Salaam helps with that comparison.
Mistakes to avoid on the Central Corridor
- Missing the Burundi cargo tracking note at origin.
- Lodging the destination declaration only after the ship arrives.
- Using different consignee details on different documents.
- Choosing the lake route for fragile or high-value goods.
- Planning DRC shipments without checking the latest border situation.
- Ignoring the cost and time of returning empty containers.
Mombasa as the alternative
If your shipping line serves Mombasa better, or your cargo is going to Uganda or North Kivu via Uganda, the Northern Corridor may be the better choice. Read our companion hub, how to ship cargo from Mombasa, and the comparison Northern Corridor vs Central Corridor.
How Haraka Freight helps
Our team in Kigali provides transportation, warehousing and distribution in Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, among other countries, and moves transit cargo to Goma and Bukavu. For shipments through Dar es Salaam we check documents before sailing, prepare the destination declaration or transit entries, manage port release, organise inland transport, coordinate the borders and handle clearance and delivery. Combine our freight forwarding and road transport services for an end-to-end solution.
Conclusion
Knowing how to ship cargo from Dar es Salaam means choosing the right branch of the Central Corridor for your destination, preparing documents and declarations before the ship arrives, moving cargo correctly in transit and keeping an eye on border conditions. Done well, it is one of the most efficient routes into Rwanda, Burundi and the DRC. To get started, request a quote.
Sources: Tanzania Ports Authority (opens in a new tab); CCTTFA (opens in a new tab); TRA, Single Customs Territory (opens in a new tab); TAZARA (opens in a new tab); KT Press (2026) (opens in a new tab); ICC Incoterms (opens in a new tab).
Frequently asked questions
Which destinations can be served from Dar es Salaam?
Rwanda, Burundi, eastern DRC via Rwanda, south-eastern DRC via Zambia, and other inland markets such as Uganda, Zambia and Malawi.
Which border do trucks use into Rwanda?
Rusumo, on the Kagera River between Tanzania and Rwanda.
Which border is used for Burundi?
Most road cargo enters Burundi at Kobero/Kabanga. Some cargo travels by rail to Kigoma and across Lake Tanganyika to Bujumbura.
Do I pay duty in Tanzania on transit cargo?
No. Goods for Rwanda and Burundi are declared and taxed at destination under the Single Customs Territory. DRC-bound goods are in transit through Tanzania and imported in the DRC.
Is Dar es Salaam better than Mombasa?
It depends on the shipment. Dar es Salaam is often more direct for Burundi and south-eastern DRC; Mombasa is strong for Rwanda, Uganda and eastern DRC via Uganda. Compare both for each booking.
Can I ship LCL through Dar es Salaam?
Yes. Shared-container cargo is unpacked at a facility and continues inland with other goods for the same destination.
Published · Last updated
Haraka Freight International Ltd is a logistics company based at Ituze House, KG 11 Avenue, Bibare, Kigali, Rwanda. We handle freight forwarding, customs clearance, IOR/EOR and DDP shipments, warehousing, trucking and regional distribution in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi, with transit cargo to Goma and Bukavu.
