Tanzania Plastic Bag Ban: What Travelers Need to Know

If you are planning a safari, Kilimanjaro trek, Zanzibar holiday, or cultural tour in Tanzania, there is one important packing rule you should know before you travel.

Tanzania has strict regulations on plastic carrier bags.

To help protect Tanzania’s environment, wildlife, and natural areas, the use and importation of prohibited plastic carrier bags are restricted. The regulations have been in place on Mainland Tanzania since 1 June 2019.

For visitors, the rule is simple:

Please do not bring ordinary plastic shopping or carrier bags into Tanzania.

What plastic bags should I avoid packing?

Before leaving home, please check your luggage and remove unnecessary disposable plastic carrier bags, including:

• Plastic supermarket shopping bags
• Plastic carrier bags from shops
• Thin plastic bags used for packing clothes or shoes
• Disposable plastic bags used to separate personal belongings
• Other ordinary plastic shopping bags

You do not need to remove every plastic item from your luggage. The regulations concern prohibited plastic carrier bags, rather than all plastic products.

What can I use instead?

Reusable alternatives are recommended and are very useful when travelling around Tanzania.

Consider bringing:

• A reusable cloth or shopping bag
• Reusable packing cubes
• A small waterproof or dry bag
• A reusable toiletry bag
• A refillable water bottle
• Reusable containers where appropriate

These items are particularly useful during safaris, trekking and camping, where responsible waste management is important.

Can I bring Ziploc bags?

Yes. Small transparent Ziploc-style bags used for toiletries and airline security procedures are permitted.

For example, you may use a transparent resealable bag for:

• Shampoo
• Toothpaste
• Sunscreen
• Moisturizer
• Other liquid or gel toiletries

Please remember that your departure airport and airline may have their own rules regarding liquids, so you should also check their baggage requirements before your flight.

What if I accidentally bring a plastic bag?

If you discover an ordinary plastic carrier bag in your luggage, do not worry unnecessarily. At entry points, travelers can follow the instructions provided by the relevant authorities and surrender prohibited bags were instructed.

However, the easiest approach is to check your luggage before departure and remove any ordinary plastic carrier bags before travelling.

Does this affect safari travelers?

Yes. The same rules apply whether you are visiting Tanzania for a short holiday or a longer adventure.

If you are going on safari to destinations such as the Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Tarangire or Nyerere National Park, we strongly encourage you to avoid unnecessary single-use plastic and carry reusable alternatives.

Keeping plastic waste out of Tanzania’s natural areas helps protect the environment and wildlife that make the country such a special destination.

What about Kilimanjaro?

If you are climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, you should also avoid disposable plastic carrier bags.

Reusable dry bags and packing cubes are excellent alternatives for organizing clothing and equipment while keeping your belongings protected from moisture.

What about Zanzibar?

Zanzibar has its own environmental regulations, including regulations concerning plastic carrier bags.

If your Tanzania holiday includes Zanzibar, it is best to follow the same approach: avoid disposable plastic carrier bags and use reusable alternatives instead.

A simple packing checklist

Before travelling to Tanzania, take a few minutes to check your luggage.

Please leave at home:

 Ordinary plastic shopping bags
 Disposable plastic carrier bags
 Unnecessary plastic bags used for packing clothes or shoes

We recommend bringing:

 Reusable shopping or cloth bags
 Packing cubes
 Reusable waterproof/dry bags
 Reusable toiletry bags
 Refillable water bottles
A small transparent Ziploc-style bag for toiletries

Why does Tanzania have this rule?

Tanzania introduced restrictions on plastic carrier bags as part of efforts to reduce plastic pollution and protect the country's natural environment.

This is particularly important for a country known for its national parks, wildlife, forests, mountains, beaches and marine environments.

As a visitor, following the regulations is a simple way to help keep Tanzania clean and protect the places you have come to experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring plastic bags to Tanzania?

Ordinary plastic carrier and shopping bags should not be brought into Tanzania. Check your luggage before travelling and remove them.

Can I bring a Ziploc bag?

Yes. Small transparent Ziploc-style bags used for toiletries and airline security procedures are permitted.

Can I bring toiletries in plastic containers?

Yes. The plastic-bag restriction does not mean that travelers must remove every plastic container or commercially packaged product from their luggage.

Can I bring reusable bags?

Yes. Reusable cloth and similar bags are a practical alternative to disposable plastic carrier bags.

Does the rule apply to safari travelers?

Yes. Travelers arriving for safaris should also avoid prohibited plastic carrier bags.

Does it apply to Kilimanjaro trekkers?

Yes. Trekkers should follow the same plastic-bag restrictions and use reusable alternatives for packing and organizing equipment.

What should I do before my flight?

The easiest preparation is to check your hand luggage and checked baggage carefully and remove any ordinary plastic shopping or carrier bags.

Travel Responsibly in Tanzania

Following Tanzania's plastic-bag regulations is easy with a little preparation.

Pack reusable, avoid disposable plastic carrier bags, and help protect the environment you have travelled so far to experience.

Whether you are watching the Great Migration in the Serengeti, climbing Kilimanjaro, exploring Ngorongoro, or relaxing on the beaches of Zanzibar, responsible travel helps keep Tanzania beautiful for future generations.

Welcome to Tanzania — travel responsibly, respect the environment, and enjoy your journey!