A Dissertation Submitted to the Dar es Salaam Campus College in Partial
Fulfillment of the Requirements of Masters of Business Administration
(Corporate Management) Degree of Mzumbe University.
Measures to actively facilitate trade are increasingly seen as essential to assist
developing countries in expanding trade and benefiting from globalization. Trade
facilitation is a concept that considers the simplification, harmonisation,
standardisation and modernisation of trade procedures. Its principle aim is to reduce
transaction costs in international trade, especially those between business and
government actors at the national border.
The concept of trade facilitation has received exceptional attention over the last few
years, especially in the context of supply chain security, customs modernisation,
international trade systems, WTO trade negotiations, capacity building and market
access type questions. This has inter alia resulted from unpredictable crossing time
that impact trade and the overall performance of the supply chain due to increased
transaction costs that ultimately adversely affect business community, government
and the public at large.
Therefore this study examined the challenges of Customs on trade facilitation,
specifically the Customs clearing process at Holili border. The study focused on
identifying the problems and the reasons behind those problems, which have
negative contribution on the length time of clearing process.
This study was conducted using techniques of qualitative and quantitative research.
An attempt was made to ensure triangulation by using four data collection methods-
Interviews, focus groups, observation and questionnaires with Tanzania Revenue
authority’s (TRA) employees, clearing and forwarding agents and third parties.
Data collection instruments used were interview sheet, Questionnaire and
documentary review. The case study was described as the appropriate research
strategy while Interviews, focus group discussion and a survey were used as the data
collection methods. The sample of the study was taken from Holili. Data were
statistically analyised through Ms Excel and accordingly findings were presented
through the use of tables to get the logical findings. The research findings are
discussed in detail in chapter four and found that inter alia, ICT infrastructure
improvement can be seen as a leverage point to improve speed clearance of goods at
Holili customs station.