Environ Monit Assess (2022) 194:19This study investigated the level, com- position, and spatial and vertical distribution of the organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) at 0–2 cm and 2–20 cm in the agricultural surface soils from South- eastern to Central-western Tanzania. Although the most abundant OCPs were DDT with a mean concen- tration of 2.29 ng/g, dieldrin (1.57 ng/g), and methox- ychlor (0.79 ng/g), HCH was the most dominant (with detection frequency of 88%). OCP dominance was in the Southern Highlands, which is the most productive agricultural zone. Though there were indicators of recent inputs for some sites, OCP contamination was mainly historical. DDT contamination was dominated by p,p′-DDE and resulted from both technical DDT and dicofol while HCH contamination was dominated by γ-HCH and resulted from both technical HCH and lindane. Based on depth, the OCPs dominated mainly the upper 2 cm, which was associated with soil and environmental factors rather than recent inputs since most of the detected compounds were historical. Nev- ertheless, some sites showed exceptional high abun- dance in the lower soil with more concentration of parent compounds. Therefore, this study recommends the need for further studies on the influence of soil properties on OCPs’ transport in the soil, surface water, and air. Besides, detection of recent inputs at some sites calls for more mapping of the OCPs in the country to strengthen their control and prevention of future risks.