Tanzania Issues New Set of Regulations for Scrap Metal Businesses

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Tanzanian government has introduced new set of regulations targeting scrap metal businesses in the country.

According to the National Environmental Management Council (NEMC), the local industries in the country will be allowed to purchase scrap only from sellers registered with the Council. The industries found violating the regulation will be subject to serious punishments in addition to forfeiture of illegally traded metals.

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Samuel Gwamaka, Director General, NEMC noted that all scrap metal dealers in the country are required to be registered with the council. The registration fee for registered collectors of scrap metal is fixed at TZS 50,000. Small scale collectors whose collections do not exceed 3 metric tons per annum will have to pay a levy of TZS 1.5 million, whereas those collecting in excess of 3 tons are liable to pay TZS 5 million.

In order to ensure domestic scrap availability, the government has raised the duty on exports. The exporters of scrap will have to pay duty at the rate of TZS 30,000 per tonne, whereas the importers’ duty has been lowered to TZS 7,500 per tonne.

The new set of regulations is aimed at encouraging locals to engage in lawful economic activities. Further, it targets to streamline the scrap metal transactions in the country through proper monitoring mechanisms. Earlier in August last year, George Simbachawene, Tanzania’s Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office had hinted at revamping the country’s scrap metal export system.