A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Award of
the Degree of Master of Science in Procurement and Supply Chain Management
(MSc-PSCM) of Mzumbe University.
The study assessed challenges facing clearing and forwarding agents in the process
of clearing consignments at the Dar es Salaam Port Authority. Specific objectives
included assessment of the effectiveness of legal/regulatory framework (policy,
procedures/guideline) on the system of clearing consignment at the port of Dar es
Salaam, to examine the process/ practices of clearing Consignments at the port of
Dar es Salaam and to identify challenges in clearing and forwarding process at the
Port of Dar es salaam. The research design used was descriptive survey whereby a
number of authorities and clearing and forwarding agency were selected. Data
collection methods included interviews, questionnaires, observation and
documentary review. Data were analyzed through Statistical Package of Social
Science (SPSS) and Microsoft Excel. Findings of the study indicate that. The
findings of the study revealed that clearing and forwarding involves cumbersome
procedure that associated with bureaucracy, corruption, also, it was revealed that
some procures are manually operated while few are computerized. Results indicates
that the time taken for processing clearance of imported goods from arrival to the
removal was 8 days at Dar es Salaam port, while time taken for processing clearance
of exported goods from lodgments to departure is 5 days at the port. Due to such
delays the government loose revenues and customers were not happy with the status
of the service delivered.
The study concluded that a well planned improvement yield positive results normally
shared equally between the private and public sector and have a long term impact to
the entire economy of the country. It is also a process that requires step by step and
strong determination to push for complete change as in most cases change is resisted.
Otherwise, based on the available findings, it was recommended that modernization
of customs administration is required to reduce the cost of doing business and trade.
Importers should submit required documents to the respective agencies on time such
as TRA, EWURA, and TBS to mention just few enable those agencies to process
them on time. Importers should also pay customs and port charges on time to avoid
demurrages.
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