Objection to the Compulsory T-CAMS (CapitalPay system from South Sudan) 25% Levy on Agency Fees.
To: The Commissioner General, Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Copy to: Prime Minister Office, Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, Director General Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation, and All Clearing and Forwarding Agent Associations (TAFFA, TACAS AND CALAT)
Subject: Official petition against the 25% levy on collected agency fees via the T-CAMS / CapitalPay system and the forced transfer of costs to importers.
We, the undersigned Licensed Clearing and Forwarding Agents (CFAs), formally present our absolute objection to the implementation of the Tanzania Clearing Agent Management System (T-CAMS) owned by Capital Pay. We completely reject the 25% charge imposed on the agency fees we collect.
Our Grievances
- Direct Revenue Drain: The 25% deduction is unfairly calculated from the actual agency fees earned by the clearing agent on every single declaration. This aggressively destroys the financial viability of local businesses.
- Lack of Agent Consent: This system and its aggressive pricing structure were introduced without the consent, agreement, or acceptance of the clearing agent community.
- Forced Cost Transfer to Importers: Because local agents cannot absorb a 25% revenue loss, this fee forces agents to pass the extra cost directly onto importers. This creates inflation, drives up the cost of doing business at the port, and harms the wider economy.
- Unnecessary Third-Party Intermediation: Controlling and enforcing minimum agency fees does not require a private, external fintech vendor to take a quarter of our earnings.
Proposed Solutions & Demands
- Immediate Cessation of T-CAMS Deductions: We call for an immediate halt to the 25% deduction on our hard-earned agency fees.
- Migration to the IDRAS System: We urge the regulatory bodies to channel compliance, monitoring, and financial oversight through the IDRAS system. This ensures the government maintains full, non-commercial control over company revenues and minimum compliance standards.
- Direct Regulatory Enforcement: Any enforcement of minimum agency floor fees should be handled directly by the Customs Regulatory Authority natively, without squeezing local agents or inflating costs for importers.