Sending business payments from the US to Tanzania
A US company pays a Tanzanian exporter by SWIFT wire in US dollars to the exporter's USD account at its own bank in Tanzania, through that bank's US correspondent. Tanzania's 2022 Foreign Exchange Regulations require export proceeds within 90 days into an account at the exporter's bank, and since March 2025 goods and services sold within Tanzania must be priced and paid in shillings. This guide covers the details to collect, the rules, timing, documents and fees.
- Under GN 294 of 2022, as summarized by PKF, export proceeds must be received within 90 days into an account at the exporter's own bank, and export documents must reach the bank within 7 days after customs procedures are completed.
- An exporter may sell foreign currency only to the bank where it holds its account, and a resident may not operate a bank account outside Tanzania unless the Governor permits it.
- Since 28 March 2025, goods and services within Tanzania must be priced and paid in shillings, so dollar invoices are for buyers abroad, not Tanzanian customers.
- The ITA lists Citibank N.A. and HSBC Bank USA in New York as US correspondents of CRDB Bank, and JP Morgan Chase Bank for Absa Bank Tanzania.
- Standard Chartered Tanzania lists USD 25 for an incoming international telegraphic transfer, and Azania Bank USD 12 for an inward TT.
Details to collect from your recipient in Tanzania
A Tanzanian bank receives dollars through a correspondent in the United States, so the correspondent details matter as much as the account number. Ask the supplier for its bank's standard settlement instructions for US dollars and copy them onto your payment.
| Detail | What to ask for | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Beneficiary name | The registered name, exactly as on the account | Name mismatches lead to queries |
| Account number | The USD account, not the shilling account | A dollar wire to a shilling account is converted |
| Bank name, branch and SWIFT code | 8 or 11 characters | Routes the wire |
| Correspondent bank | The US bank that holds the Tanzanian bank's dollar account, its SWIFT code and the account number there | Banks change correspondents; always confirm |
| Reference | Invoice number, and for exports the shipment reference | Lets the bank match the receipt within the 90 days |
Sources: International Trade Administration, Tanzania Country Commercial Guide; field list compiled by the Helm Editorial Team. As published on 29 October 2026.
USD or shillings: what the Bank of Tanzania requires
Two Bank of Tanzania (BoT) instruments shape a dollar payment: the Foreign Exchange Regulations, 2022 (GN 294) and the Regulations on the Use of Foreign Currency, 2025 (GN 198). Together they route export dollars to the exporter's own bank and keep domestic trade in shillings. The US dollar to Tanzanian shilling page covers the currency.
| Rule | What it says | What it means for your payment |
|---|---|---|
| Export proceeds | Received within 90 days into an account at the exporter's bank; documents within 7 days of customs | Pay the supplier's own bank in Tanzania |
| Selling dollars | Only to the bank where the exporter holds its account | The supplier's bank sets the conversion rate |
| Accounts abroad | Residents may not operate an account outside Tanzania without the Governor's permission | Do not pay the supplier abroad |
| Domestic pricing | Goods and services within Tanzania priced and paid in shillings since 28 March 2025 | A Tanzanian subsidiary of yours pays locals in shillings |
Sources: PKF summary of the Foreign Exchange Regulations, 2022 (GN 294); Bank of Tanzania public notice of 2 May 2025. As published on 29 October 2026.
The PKF summary does not state what event starts the 90 days, so pay well within the agreed term. For the recipient's view, see how Tanzanian businesses receive USD.
Rails, correspondents and arrival times to Tanzania
A dollar wire settles in the United States on Fedwire, open from 9:00 p.m. ET the evening before to 7:00 p.m. ET each weekday, with customer transfers accepted until 6:45 p.m. ET, and then moves to the Tanzanian bank through its correspondent. Dar es Salaam is 7 hours ahead of New York in the US summer and 8 hours ahead in the US winter.
| Route | What the recipient receives | Timing, as published | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| SWIFT wire via CRDB Bank's correspondents | US dollars | Depends on the correspondent chain | Citibank N.A. (New York) and HSBC Bank USA (New York), as listed by the ITA |
| SWIFT wire via NBC's correspondents | US dollars | Depends on the correspondent chain | JP Morgan Chase Bank and Citibank |
| SWIFT wire via NMB Bank or Absa Bank | US dollars | Depends on the correspondent chain | Citibank for NMB; JP Morgan Chase Bank for Absa |
| SWIFT wire to a shilling account | Shillings, converted by the bank | Credited on a Tanzanian business day | Only the account-holding bank buys the dollars |
Sources: International Trade Administration, Tanzania Country Commercial Guide, Trade Financing (last published 14 December 2022); Federal Reserve Financial Services, Fedwire operating hours. As published on 29 October 2026.
Swift reported in August 2023 that 89% of payments on its network reached the recipient's bank within an hour. Paying through the correspondent the Tanzanian bank names avoids an extra bank in the chain, which saves both time and a deduction.
Documents, screening and why payments to Tanzania are held
The exporter gives its bank the export documents within 7 days after customs procedures, and the bank monitors whether the proceeds arrive within 90 days. A payment that quotes the invoice and shipment reference closes that file. A request to pay an account outside Tanzania conflicts with the rule on accounts abroad and is also a fraud warning sign.
On the US side, sanctions screening applies to every payment: OFAC states that all US persons, including US-incorporated entities and their foreign branches, must comply with its sanctions, so check the payee and its bank against OFAC's lists (OFAC FAQ 11).
| Problem | What happens | How to prevent it |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong or outdated correspondent | Delayed or returned | Confirm the correspondent with the supplier's bank |
| Payment to an account abroad | Does not meet the 90-day rule at the exporter's bank | Pay the supplier's bank in Tanzania |
| Dollars sent to the shilling account | Converted at the bank's rate | Ask for the USD account number |
| No shipment reference | Matching delayed | Quote the invoice and shipment reference |
| Wire sent as SHA | Arrives short of the invoice | Use OUR for large invoices |
Sources: PKF summary of GN 294; International Trade Administration; Helm Editorial Team. As published on 29 October 2026.
Costs: SHA, OUR and Helm's fees for payments to Tanzania
A flat inward charge of USD 12 at Azania Bank, or USD 25 at Standard Chartered Tanzania, is the same on a $1,000 receipt as on a $100,000 one. Standard Chartered states that its standard prices include 10% excise duty and 18% VAT. Intermediary deductions on a SHA wire can be larger; with OUR you pay them. For account options, see USD business accounts in Tanzania.
Helm is a financial technology company, not a bank. Its US dollar account services are provided by Bridge Building, Inc. (NMLS ID 2450917), a licensed money transmitter, with customer funds held at Lead Bank. Helm sends payments to suppliers abroad by SWIFT and by local rails in the recipient's currency where available, confirmed by your account manager, and shows the rate, the fee and the expected arrival before you confirm.
Helm agrees pricing with each business in writing before the account opens, and shows the rate, the fee and the expected arrival before you confirm each payment. See how Helm pricing works.
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How do I send a business payment from the US to Tanzania?
Send a SWIFT wire in US dollars to the supplier's USD account at its bank in Tanzania, using the bank's standard settlement instructions, including the US correspondent, and quote the invoice and shipment reference.
How long does a Tanzanian exporter have to receive payment?
Under GN 294 of 2022, as summarized by PKF, export proceeds must be received within 90 days into an account at the exporter's own bank.
Can I pay a Tanzanian company in dollars?
Yes, as a buyer abroad. Since 28 March 2025 goods and services within Tanzania must be priced and paid in shillings, but that rule covers deals inside Tanzania, not invoices to buyers abroad.
Which US banks are correspondents for Tanzanian banks?
The ITA lists Citibank N.A. and HSBC Bank USA for CRDB Bank, Citibank for NMB Bank, JP Morgan Chase Bank and Citibank for NBC, and JP Morgan Chase Bank for Absa Bank. Banks change correspondents, so confirm.
How much do Tanzanian banks charge to receive a wire?
Standard Chartered Tanzania lists USD 25 for an incoming international telegraphic transfer and Azania Bank USD 12 for an inward TT.
What does Helm charge to send money to Tanzania?
Helm agrees pricing with each business in writing before the account opens, and shows the rate, the fee and the expected arrival before you confirm each payment.
References
- PKF: Tanzania Foreign Exchange Regulations, 2022 (GN 294)
- Bank of Tanzania: Public notice on the Regulations on the Use of Foreign Currency, 2025 (2 May 2025)
- International Trade Administration: Tanzania Country Commercial Guide, Trade Financing
- Standard Chartered Bank Tanzania: Fees and Charges Guide (effective 1 March 2025)
- Azania Bank: Fees and Charges 2025
- Federal Reserve Financial Services: Fedwire Funds Service operating hours
- Swift: Cross-border payments on Swift exceed the G20's processing speed target (22 August 2023)
- Office of Foreign Assets Control: FAQ 11, Who must comply with OFAC sanctions?
This guide is general information for businesses, not financial, legal or tax advice. Rules, fees and timings were checked against the sources listed on the review date and may change.