How to Register a Trademark in Tanzania: A Complete 2026 Guide

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Registering a trademark in Tanzania is one of the most important steps any business can take to protect its brand identity. This guide walks you through the entire BRELA trademark registration process — from clearance searches to the grant of a certificate of registration.

Why Register a Trademark in Tanzania?

A registered trademark gives you the exclusive right to use your mark in commerce in Tanzania. It allows you to take legal action against infringers, licence your brand for revenue, and build commercial goodwill that can be valued and sold. Without registration, you have limited legal recourse if a competitor adopts a similar name or logo.

The Registrar: BRELA

Trademark registration on mainland Tanzania is handled by the Business Registrations and Licensing Agency (BRELA), which administers the Trade and Service Marks Act (Cap 326). BRELA operates the national trademark register and processes all applications for mainland Tanzania. Note that Zanzibar has a separate registry — the Business and Property Registration Agency (BPRA) — and a separate trademark system under the Zanzibar Trade Marks Act.

Step 1 — Trademark Clearance Search

Before filing, you should conduct a comprehensive clearance search to identify any identical or confusingly similar marks already registered or pending at BRELA. A conflict with an earlier mark can result in your application being refused or, worse, a costly opposition or cancellation action after you have already invested in the brand. A search at BRELA takes 1–3 business days and covers all registered and pending marks in your chosen class or classes.

Step 2 — Choose Your Classes

Tanzania uses the International (Nice) Classification system, which divides goods and services into 45 classes (classes 1–34 for goods, 35–45 for services). You must file in the class or classes that cover your goods or services. Each class requires a separate application and separate official fees. Choosing the right classes — and drafting a sufficiently broad specification of goods/services — requires care, as an overly narrow specification may leave gaps in your protection.

Step 3 — File the Application

The BRELA trademark application requires: a representation of the mark; a list of goods or services; the applicant's name and address; a signed power of attorney (if filing through an agent); and the official filing fees. Applications can be filed directly with BRELA or through an authorised trademark agent. Official fees for a single-class application are currently TZS 40,000 for the application and TZS 55,000 upon acceptance — see our Official Fees page for the current full fee schedule.

Step 4 — Examination

BRELA examines the application on both absolute grounds (is the mark distinctive? is it descriptive or offensive?) and relative grounds (does it conflict with earlier registrations?). If the examiner raises objections, you will receive an official letter and have the opportunity to respond. Response deadlines are strict and failure to respond results in the application being abandoned.

Step 5 — Publication and Opposition

If the mark passes examination, it is published in the Government Gazette for a period during which third parties may file an opposition. The opposition period in Tanzania is 60 days. If no opposition is filed, the mark proceeds to registration.

Step 6 — Registration Certificate

Upon registration, BRELA issues a certificate of registration. The trademark is initially registered for 7 years and may be renewed indefinitely for further 10-year periods. The total process from filing to registration typically takes 12–24 months at BRELA, depending on workload and whether any objections arise.

Also Consider: Zanzibar and ARIPO

Registration at BRELA only protects your mark on mainland Tanzania. If you trade in Zanzibar, you need a separate registration at BPRA. If you want pan-African protection across 22 states, consider filing under the ARIPO Banjul Protocol, which allows a single application to cover multiple member states — see our ARIPO Banjul Protocol guide.

How ABA IP Can Help

ABA IP Consultants handles the full trademark registration process at BRELA, BPRA and ARIPO. We conduct clearance searches, prepare and file applications, respond to examiner objections, monitor for oppositions, and manage renewal portfolios. Contact us for a free initial consultation.