BRELA Fees Tanzania: Complete 2025 Guide to Registration Costs | Companies, Trademarks & Patents
Covering Fees Payable to the Business Registration and Licensing Agency (BRELA) including Company Fees, Business Names Fees, etc
SUMMARY: BRELA charges statutory fees for company registration, business names, trademarks, patents, and industrial licenses in Tanzania. This comprehensive guide covers all BRELA registration fees, compliance costs, and service charges to help you budget for business setup and ongoing operations.
BRELA Fees at a Glance: Quick Reference
Planning to register a business entity in Tanzania? Here’s what you’ll pay to BRELA:
| Company Registration | Annual Compliance Costs | Other Common Registrations |
|---|---|---|
| Name Reservation: 50,000 TZS (optional, valid 60 days) | Local Company Annual Return: 22,000 TZS/year | Business Name Registration: 20,000 TZS initial + 5,000 TZS/year |
| Company Registration: 167,200 – 512,200 TZS depending on share capital | Foreign Company Filing: 220 USD/year | Trademark Registration: 60,000 TZS per class |
| Minimum (under 1M capital): 167,200 TZS | Business Name Maintenance: 5,000 TZS/year | Patent Application: 32,000 TZS + annual fees (4,000-17,000 TZS) |
| Maximum (over 50M capital): 512,200 TZS | Industrial License: 10,000 – 800,000 TZS based on investment | |
| Foreign Company Branch: 1,190 USD |
Need to calculate total setup costs? Use our interactive Tanzania Business Setup Cost Calculator below, or jump directly to:
Scope and Legal Basis of BRELA Fees
The fees outlined in this article are statutory charges imposed by the Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA) under various laws and regulations, including the Companies Act, the Business Names (Registration) Act, the Trade and Service Marks Act, the Patents Act, and subsidiary regulations issued thereunder. These fees are payable through the Government Electronic Payment Gateway (GePG) via BRELA’s Online Registration System (ORS) and are subject to change by law or administrative directive.
Below are tools to help you estimate the cost of setting up a company in Tanzania, check regulatory license requirements, check compliance requirements (or assess compliance status), and explore opportunities.
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BRELA Fees for Companies
Establishing a company in Tanzania involves several mandatory statutory payments to BRELA at different stages of the company’s lifecycle. These include fees for company name reservation, incorporation, filing of constitutional documents, and recurring compliance obligations such as annual returns and changes to company particulars. Understanding these costs upfront enables promoters to budget accurately and avoid delays during registration and post-incorporation compliance.
A: BRELA Company Name Reservation Fee
Before your company even takes its first breath, BRELA’s already at the door with an invoice. Yes, in Tanzania, you get charged just for thinking of a company name—call it a “dream tax”! Name reservation is the first official step, and it comes with a fee before your business is even born.
| DETAILS | FEE (TZS) | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name Reservation Fee | 50,000 | Upto 60 days company name reserved |
Practical Guidance on Name Reservation
In practice, name reservation is strongly recommended, particularly where the proposed company name is distinctive, contains regulated words, or closely resembles existing registered names. A successful reservation temporarily protects the name while incorporation documents are being prepared, reducing the risk of rejection at the registration stage.
B: Tanzania Company Registration Cost: BRELA Fees for Local Companies
Moreover, after you reserve the company name—or decide to proceed without a reservation—you must prepare for the official registration phase, which attracts statutory fees. BRELA imposes charges for company registration, including a registration fee, filing fee, and stamp duty.
What Determines the Applicable Registration Fee
The registration fee for a local company is primarily determined by the company’s stated share capital. Promoters should carefully consider the share capital structure, as it affects not only BRELA fees but also stamp duty exposure and future regulatory filings.
Below is a breakdown of the specific fees, which are charged based on the share capital you intend to register.
| CAPITAL RANGE (TZS) | REG. FEE | FILING FEE | STAMP DUTY* | TOTAL |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20,000 to 1mil | 95,000 | 66,000 | 6,200 | 167,200 |
| 1mil to 5mil | 175,000 | 66,000 | 6,200 | 247,200 |
| 5mil to 20mil | 260,000 | 66,000 | 6,200 | 332,200 |
| 20mil to 50mil | 290,000 | 66,000 | 6,200 | 362,200 |
| More than 50mil | 440,000 | 66,000 | 6,200 | 512,200 |
| Without share capital | 300,000 | 66,000 | 6,200 | 372,200 |
* Note that, the Stamp Duty Fee for Memarts was amended to Tshs 10,000/= in the Finance Act, 2021. However, as of the date of this article, the ORS system continues to charge 5,000/=. BRELA reserves the right to change this fee, and any revised fees will be considered the valid amounts.
C: BRELA Company Registration Fees | Foreign Company
Regulatory Context for Foreign Companies
A foreign company registered in Tanzania operates as a branch of the parent entity and is subject to ongoing disclosure obligations, including filing of audited financial statements and constitutional documents. The registration and compliance fees reflect this enhanced regulatory oversight compared to local companies. The fees payable to BRELA for registering a branch of a foreign company in Tanzania are as follows:
| DETAILS | REG. FEE | FILING FEE* | TOTAL (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Branch of foreign company | 750 | 440 | 1,190 |
*Filing fee is payable on two documents (i. Constitution of the foreign company and ii. Audited Accounts)
D: BRELA Compliance Fees | Local Company
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failure to file statutory documents within prescribed timelines may attract additional penalties, restrictions on company services within ORS, or administrative enforcement actions by BRELA. Companies are therefore advised to calendar compliance deadlines and budget for recurring statutory fees annually. The compliance fees payable to BRELA by a local company for various filings are as follows:
| DETAILS | DETAILS | FEE (TZS) |
|---|---|---|
| Filing fee | Filing of Annual Return | 22,000 |
| Penalty for late filing | On any document per month | 2,500 |
| Filing fee | Filing of any legally required document | 22,000 |
| Company name change | Filing of company name change resolution | 22,000 |
E: BRELA Compliance Fees | Foreign Company
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failure to file statutory documents within prescribed timelines may attract additional penalties, restrictions on company services within ORS, or administrative enforcement actions by BRELA. Companies are therefore advised to calendar compliance deadlines and budget for recurring statutory fees annually. The compliance fees that a foreign company must pay to BRELA for various filings are as follows:
| DETAILS | DETAILS | FEE (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Filing fee | Filing fee for any document required to be filed | 220 |
| Penalty for late filing | On any document per month | 25 |
F: BRELA Fees for Other Services to Companies
Appart from the company registration and compliance fees, BRELA charges the following fees for various services that it provides to companies. These fees commonly arise during post-incorporation events such as restructuring, changes in shareholding, appointment or resignation of directors, or requests for certified extracts and official searches. While individually modest, frequent changes can cumulatively increase compliance costs.
| DETAILS | DETAILS | FEE (TZS) |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of certificate of incorporation | For obtaining a copy of the company's certificate of incorporation | 4,000 |
| Official search of a company | For obtaining a official search report of a company | 22,000 |
| Perusal of a company file | For perusal of a company file at BRELA | 3,000 |
| Certification of document | For certifying each page of a document | 3,000 |
BRELA Fees for Business Names
Business name registration Tanzania is more affordable than company incorporation. BRELA registration fees for business names include application fees, annual maintenance, and compliance costs as detailed below.
Difference Between Business Names and Companies
A business name is a simplified form of registration suitable for sole proprietors and partnerships and does not create a separate legal personality distinct from its owners. As a result, business name fees are generally lower and compliance requirements lighter than those applicable to incorporated companies.
A: BRELA Business Name Registration Fees
The business names registration fees charged by BRELA include application fee and maintenance fee as detailed below:
| DETAILS | DETAILS | FEE (TZS) |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | Application for registration of a business name | 15,000 |
| Maintenance fee | Maintenance fee on application for registration of a business name | 5,000 |
B: BRELA Business Names Compliance Fees
The business names compliance fees charged by BRELA include annual maintenance fee, fee for change of particulars and cessation fee as detailed below:
| DETAILS | Details | FEE (TZS) |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance fee | Annual maintenance fee for a business name | 5,000 |
| Cessation fee | Business name cessation fee | 10,000 |
| Change fee | Fee for change of particulars of a business name | 15,000 |
C: BRELA Fees for Other Services to Business Names
Appart from the business names registration and compliance fees, BRELA charges the following fees for various services that it provides to business names:
| DETAILS | DETAILS | FEE (TZS) |
|---|---|---|
| Inspection of register | Fee for inspection of the registered details of a business name | 2,000 |
| Extract copy (uncertified) | Per page of the extract | 3,000 |
BRELA Trade/Service Marks Fees
Trademark fees Tanzania are administered by BRELA under the Trade and Service Marks Act. BRELA trademark registration fees vary by class, with additional charges for renewals, oppositions, and assignments.
Strategic Considerations for Applicants
Applicants should note that trade mark protection is class-specific and territorial. Businesses operating across multiple product or service categories may incur higher registration and renewal costs due to multi-class filings.
A: BRELA Trade Marks Registration Fees
Trade mark registration fees are payable at the initial stage of securing statutory protection for a trade or service mark in Tanzania. These fees cover services such as filing an application, examination, publication, opposition handling, and issuance of the certificate of registration. The applicable fees depend on factors including the number of classes applied for and the procedural steps required before registration is completed.
| DETAILS | CONDITIONS | FEE (TZS) |
|---|---|---|
| Application for protection of a Trade/Service Mark | 0 | |
| Appointment of agent / representative (Power of Attorney) | 0 | |
| Additional representations of a mark submitted with application | 0 | |
| Request for Registrar to state grounds of decision | Upon request by applicant | 50,000 |
| Notice of opposition to Trade Mark application | Per application opposed | 60,000 |
| Counter-statement in response to opposition | Per applicant opposed | 50,000 |
| Hearing of opposition (per party) | 70,000 | |
| Registration of one mark in one class | 60,000 | |
| Registration of series of marks – first mark | 60,000 | |
| Registration of series – each additional mark | 30,000 |
B: BRELA Trade Marks Compliance Fees
Once a trade mark is registered, the proprietor is required to comply with ongoing statutory obligations to maintain the mark on the Register. Compliance fees arise in relation to renewal of registration, restoration of removed marks, recording of changes in ownership or particulars, and other post-registration filings mandated by law.
| DETAILS | CONDITIONS | FEE (TZS) |
|---|---|---|
| Renewal of registration of a mark | At expiry of registration | 30,000 |
| Renewal of series of marks – first mark | At expiry of registration | 30,000 |
| Renewal of series – each additional mark | At expiry of registration | 10,000 |
| Restoration fee for mark removed due to late renewal (Regulation 54) | Payable in addition to renewal fee | 30,000 |
| Restoration of removed mark – administrative entry | 30,000 | |
| Recording assignment or transfer of ownership (single mark) | 50,000 | |
| Change of proprietor/user address (same change) | 50,000 | |
| Additional address entry change | 10,000 | |
| Request to alter business address in register | 20,000 | |
| Dissolution of association between registered marks | 50,000 | |
| Correction of clerical error or amendment of application | 15,000 | |
| Change of proprietor/user name – single mark | 20,000 | |
| Change of proprietor/user name – multiple marks | 20,000 | |
| Additional mark under same name change | 10,000 | |
| Cancellation of entry or part of entry of a mark | 30,000 | |
| Removal of goods or services from registered mark | 20,000 | |
| Entry of disclaimer or memorandum in register | 10,000 |
C: BRELA Fees for Other Trademark Services
In addition to registration and compliance-related fees, BRELA charges fees for various ancillary trade mark services. These include official searches, certified copies, recordal of assignments and licenses, oppositions, rectifications, and other procedural or administrative actions requested by applicants or registered proprietors.
| DETAILS | CONDITIONS | Fee (TZS) |
|---|---|---|
| Permission to alter one registered mark | 15,000 | |
| Permission to alter multiple identical marks – first mark | 15,000 | |
| Permission to alter – each additional mark | 10,000 | |
| Rectification of register or removal of mark | 30,000 | |
| Leave to intervene in rectification proceedings | 30,000 | |
| Official search of Trade Marks Register | 10,000 | |
| Registrar certificate (general) | 30,000 | |
| Certificate for registration of series of marks | 30,000 | |
| Change or cancellation of address for service | 10,000 | |
| Additional address service entry | 50,000 | |
| Opposition to application to alter registered mark | 30,000 | |
| General rectification or alteration of register entry | 30,000 | |
| Duplicate listing – rectification or alteration | 30,000 | |
| Certificate of validity – first registration | 30,000 | |
| Certificate of validity – each additional mark | 10,000 | |
| Registration of registered user – first mark | 60,000 | |
| Registration of registered user – additional mark | 20,000 | |
| Variation of registered user entry – first mark | 30,000 | |
| Variation of registered user entry – additional mark | 50,000 | |
| Cancellation of registered user entry | 6,000 | |
| Cancellation of registered user under Regulation | 6,000 | |
| Notice to intervene in registered user proceedings | 12,000 | |
| Inspection of Trade Marks Register | 5,000 | |
| Inspection of Trade Marks Register (duplicate entry) | 5,000 | |
| Search among classified representations of marks (per class) | 5,000 | |
| Uncertified copy of documents (per page) | 5,000 | |
| Certified copies or extracts | 5,000 | |
| Duplicate certificate of registration | 10,000 | |
| Advertisement of application in Government Gazette | 15,000 | |
| Maintenance fee of files | 5,000 |
BRELA Patent Fees
Patent registration in Tanzania provides inventors with exclusive rights over their inventions, subject to statutory conditions and maintenance requirements. BRELA charges distinct fees for patent filing, examination, grant, and ongoing annual maintenance to keep the patent in force.
A: BRELA Patents Registration Fees
Patent registration fees are payable during the process of obtaining legal protection for an invention in Tanzania. These fees relate to the filing of a patent application, substantive examination, grant of the patent, and issuance of the patent certificate. The amounts payable vary depending on the stage of the application and the nature of the service requested.
| ITEM | DETAILS | FEE (TZS) |
|---|---|---|
| Appointment of representative (power of attorney) | Regulation 7 (3) | 0 |
| On request for grant of a patent | Sections 23 ;regulation 8 | 12,000 |
| On request for grant of a utility certificate | Sections 23and 72 | 10,000 |
| On request for Registrar's certificate authorizing the release of a sample from a culture collection | Regulation 10(2) | 4,000 |
| On request by Registrar for information concerning corresponding foreign applications, patents or other titles of protection | Regulation 20(1) | 0 |
| Invitation to correct application for grant of patent or utility certificate | Regulation 25 (1), 52 | 0 |
| Notification of decision refusing application for grant of patent or utility certificate on grounds of non-compliance with formal requirements | Regulations 25(2).52 | 0 |
| Notification that application for grant of patent or utility certificate complies with formal requirements | Regulations 25(3),52 | 0 |
| Notification of non-compliance with substantive requirements and invitation to submit observations and/or amended applications for grant of patent | Regulation 26(3) | 0 |
| Notification of decision refusing to grant patent on grounds of non-compliance with requirements | Section 26(4) | 0 |
| Notification of decision to grant patent or utility certificate | Regulations 28(1)(a)52 | 0 |
| On amendment of application | Section 20, regulation 22 | 8,000 |
| On filling corrections | Section 25(3)(b); regulation 25 | 8,000 |
| For an international-type search | Section 26(2)(a): regulation 26(1) | 10,000 |
| On grant of patent | Section 28 regulation 28(1)(a) | 10,000 |
| On grant of utility certificate | Sections 28 and 72 regulations 27(1)(…and 52(1)) | 8,000 |
| Certificate of grant of patent | Regulation 29(3) | 0 |
| Certificate of grant of utility certificate | Regulations 29(3),52(1)(c) | 0 |
B: BRELA Patents Compliance Fees
After a patent has been granted, the patent holder is required to pay periodic compliance fees to maintain the patent in force. These fees typically include annual maintenance or annuity fees and other post-grant charges arising from amendments, recordal of changes, or enforcement-related administrative actions. The compliance fees payable to BRELA by patent holder are as follows:
| ITEM | DETAILS | FEE (TZS) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual fee for patents | Section 39(1); regulation 30 | |
| 1st anniversary | 4,000 | |
| 2nd anniversary | 5,000 | |
| 3rd anniversary | 6,000 | |
| 4th anniversary | 7,000 | |
| 5th anniversary | 8,000 | |
| 6th anniversary | 9,000 | |
| 7th anniversary | 10,000 | |
| 8th anniversary | 11,000 | |
| 9th anniversary | 12,000 | |
| 10th anniversary | 13,000 | |
| 11th anniversary | 14,000 | |
| 12th anniversary | 15,000 | |
| 13th anniversary | 16,000 | |
| 14th anniversary | 17,000 | |
| Annual fee for utility certificates | Sections 39(1) and 72(1): (regulations 30 and 52)) | |
| 1st anniversary | 3,000 | |
| 2nd anniversary | 4,000 | |
| 3rd anniversary | 5,000 | |
| 4th anniversary | 6,000 | |
| 5th anniversary | 7,000 | |
| 6th anniversary | 8,000 | |
| Surcharge for extension of the time for payment of annual fee | Section 39 (2);regulation 30 (3)) | |
| Not exceeding one month | 1,000 | |
| Not exceeding two months | 2,000 | |
| Not exceeding three months | 3,000 | |
| Not exceeding four months | 4,000 | |
| Not exceeding five months | 5,000 | |
| Not exceeding six months | 6,000 | |
| On application for extension of term of a patent | Section 38(2);regulation 31 | 12,000 |
| Application for restoration of a lapsed patent or utility certificate or of an application which is deemed to have been withdrawn | Regulations 32.52 | 0 |
| On restoration of a lapsed patent or utility certificate or application which is deemed to have been withdrawn | Regulations 32 and 52 | 10,000 |
| Offer to surrender a patent | Sections 62 and 72 regulations 33(1) and 52 | 8,000 |
| Notice of opposition to offer to surrender a patent | regulations 33(2) and 52 | 10,000 |
| Request for alteration of name, nationality, address or address for service | regulation 35 | 4,000 |
| Application to record change in ownership | regulations 36 and 52 | 4,000 |
| Request for inspection of register | regulation 37(2) | 1,000 |
| Request certified copies or extract from the register | regulation 38 | 4,000 |
| Request for the correction of an error in the register or in any connected document | regulation 39(1) | 1,500 |
| Request for the correction of an error relating to patent, patent application , utility certificate or utility certificate application | regulation 39(2) | 1,500 |
| Notice of opposition to the correction of an error relating to a patent or utility certificate | regulation 39(2) | 4,000 |
| Application for recordal of order or court | regulation 40 | 1,000 |
| Petition for registration of licence contract Section 47; regulation 43) | 8,000 | |
| Certificate of receipt of petition for registration of licence contract | regulation 44(1) | 0 |
| Request for entry in the register to the effect that licences under the patent or utility certificate are available as of right (Section 60(1) and 72 regulation 5091) and 52) | 0 | |
| Certificate of registration of licence contract | regulation 46 | 0 |
| Request for conversion of an application for utility certificate into an application for a patent or vice versa | section 74; regulation 52(2) | 5,000 |
| Request for conversion of an application for a patent into an application for a utility certificate | section 74; regulation 52(2) | 3,000 |
| Police of objection to application for entry to be made under regulation 50(1) (Section 60(3) regulation 50(2)) | 10,000 | |
| Application for cancellation of entry to be made under regulation 50(1) (Section 60(7)) | 1,500 | |
| Request for extension of time limit | regulation 55(1) | 0 |
| Provision of copies of documents under section 5(c) per page | 300 | |
| Request for bearing | regulation 65 | 10,000 |
| Transmittal fee for international application | regulation 53 | 5,000 |
| Fee for preparation of copies of international application per page 53 | 1,500 | |
| Special fee referred to in Section 32(1)(b) and (2)(b) | 4,000 |
BRELA Industrial License Fees
Industrial licenses in Tanzania are issued under the Industrial Licensing Act and are administered by BRELA in coordination with sector-specific regulators. Fees vary depending on the scale of operations, nature of industrial activity, and ownership structure.
| INVESTMENT RANGE | FEE (TZS) |
|---|---|
| Investment cost less than 5,000,000 TZS | 10,000 |
| Investment cost more than 5,000,000 but not exceeding 10,000,000 TZS | 50,000 |
| Investment cost more than 10,000,000 but not exceeding 50,000,000 TZS | 100,000 |
| Investment cost more than 50,000,000 but not exceeding 100,000,000 TZS | 500,000 |
| Investment cost more than 100,000,000 TZS | 800,000 |
While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, BRELA fees are subject to amendment through legislation, regulations, and administrative practice. Users are advised to confirm applicable fees through BRELA’s Online Registration System (ORS) or official government publications before making payments.
