Is Methamphetamine legal in Tanzania?
- Legal status
- Controlled under the Drug Control and Enforcement Act No. 5 of 2015 (as amended by Act No. 15 of 2017) — trafficking (s.15) life imprisonment; cultivation (s.11) not less than 30 years; small-quantity possession (s.17) and use imprisonment (use ~5–10 years); the maximum penalty for drug offences is life imprisonment; the country's separate provisions for the gravest non-drug crimes do not extend to drug offences
- Consequences if caught
- Methamphetamine is controlled in Tanzania under the Drug Control and Enforcement Act No. 5 of 2015 (as amended by Act No. 15 of 2017). In Tanzania, drugs fall under the Drug Control and Enforcement Act No. 5 of 2015 (as amended by Act No. 15 of 2017). Trafficking (s.15) carries life imprisonment; cultivation (s.11) carries not less than 30 years; and small-quantity possession (s.17) and use carry imprisonment (use roughly 5–10 years). The maximum penalty for drug offences is life imprisonment; the country's separate provisions for the gravest non-drug crimes do not extend to drug offences.
- If prescribed or medical
- Not a prescribed traveller medicine in this form.
- Documentation
- In Tanzania, drugs fall under the Drug Control and Enforcement Act No. 5 of 2015 (as amended by Act No. 15 of 2017). Trafficking (s.15) carries life imprisonment; cultivation (s.11) carries not less than 30 years; and small-quantity possession (s.17) and use carry imprisonment (use roughly 5–10 years). The maximum penalty for drug offences is life imprisonment; the country's separate provisions for the gravest non-drug crimes do not extend to drug offences. Cannabis is controlled under the same Act; cultivation, trafficking and possession are offences, with penalties up to life imprisonment. Carry any controlled medicine with its prescription and confirm requirements with your embassy before travel.
- Drug Control and Enforcement Act No. 5 of 2015 (ss.11/15/17), as amended by Act No. 15 of 2017
- media.tanzlii.org
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Tanzania’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →