Bitumen Price in Tanzania Today
Last updated: 2026-09-29
Bitumen Price in Tanzania Today
Bitumen price in Tanzania today ranges from $520 to $610 per metric ton (CIF Dar es Salaam), equivalent to TZS 1,380,000–1,620,000 per ton depending on grade, volume, and supplier origin. The most traded grade, 60/70 penetration bitumen, is currently quoted at approximately $545–$575 per MT CIF, while 80/100 grade trades at $530–$555 per MT. Prices rose 4.2% month-on-month in the latest assessment, driven by higher Middle East export premiums (Iran and UAE cargoes) and a 12% increase in freight rates on the Jebel Ali–Dar es Salaam route.
This guide breaks down current Tanzanian bitumen pricing by grade, origin, and delivery terms, with benchmarks for contractors and importers buying in 2025.
Current Bitumen Price Benchmarks in Tanzania (2025)
Tanzania imports 100% of its bitumen — there is no domestic refinery production. All supply enters through Dar es Salaam Port, with smaller volumes via Tangа Port for northern corridor projects. Prices therefore track CIF import costs, plus local clearing, TBS certification, and inland transport.
| Bitumen Grade | Price (USD/MT, CIF Dar es Salaam) | Price (TZS/MT) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| **60/70 Penetration** | $545 – $575 | 1,440,000 – 1,520,000 | Road construction, asphalt paving |
| **80/100 Penetration** | $530 – $555 | 1,400,000 – 1,465,000 | Base courses, cold climates |
| **40/50 Penetration** | $575 – $610 | 1,520,000 – 1,610,000 | High-traffic highways |
| **Cutback Bitumen (MC-30)** | $620 – $680 | 1,640,000 – 1,800,000 | Prime coats, tack coats |
| **Bitumen Emulsion (SS-1)** | $590 – $650 | 1,560,000 – 1,720,000 | Surface dressing, patching |
| **Oxidized Bitumen 115/15** | $650 – $720 | 1,720,000 – 1,900,000 | Roofing, waterproofing |
Key notes:
- Prices are for **bulk shipments of 100–500 MT**. Smaller orders (drummed, 20 MT) carry a **$40–$70/MT premium**.
- Drummed bitumen (180 kg drums) adds **$35–$55 per MT** for packaging and handling.
- **TBS (Tanzania Bureau of Standards)** certification is mandatory for import clearance and adds **$8–$12/MT** in testing and documentation fees.
What Drives Bitumen Prices in Tanzania Today
Bitumen pricing in Tanzania is determined by four cost layers, each fluctuating independently.
| Cost Component | Share of Final Price | Current Trend |
|---|---|---|
| **FOB origin price** (Iran/UAE refinery) | 55–62% | ↑ Rising 3–5% monthly |
| **Ocean freight** (to Dar es Salaam) | 12–18% | ↑ Up 12% vs. Q1 2025 |
| **Port, duty & clearing charges** | 15–20% | → Stable |
| **Inland transport & distribution** | 8–14% | ↑ Fuel surcharges rising |
Breakdown by origin:
- **Iranian bitumen (Bandar Abbas):** $500–$530/MT FOB — the cheapest source, but subject to sanctions-related payment complexity.
- **UAE bitumen (Jebel Ali):** $540–$565/MT FOB — most common for Tanzanian buyers due to reliable logistics and banking.
- **Bahrain/Saudi bitumen:** $555–$590/MT FOB — premium quality, favored for donor-funded road projects with strict specs.
Import duty note: Bitumen (HS Code 2713.20) enters Tanzania duty-free under EAC Common External Tariff exemptions for road construction materials, but VAT of 18% applies on the CIF value plus clearing costs. This is often the single largest line item contractors underestimate.
12-Month Price Trend and Forecast
Tanzanian bitumen prices have moved sharply upward over the past year, tracking global crude benchmarks and regional supply tightness.
| Month (2024–2025) | Avg. 60/70 Price (USD/MT CIF) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Q3 2024 | $498 | Baseline |
| Q4 2024 | $515 | +3.4% |
| Q1 2025 | $528 | +2.5% |
| Q2 2025 | $549 | +4.0% |
| Q3 2025 (current) | $560 | +2.0% |
| **Q4 2025 forecast** | **$565 – $590** | **+1–5%** |
Forecast drivers for the next 90 days:
- **Crude oil volatility:** Brent at $78–$84/bbl supports higher bitumen FOB prices.
- **Iran export restrictions:** Reduced cargo availability lifts UAE and Bahrain premiums.
- **Tanzania road budget:** Government allocated **TZS 2.1 trillion** for roadworks in FY2025/26, sustaining demand.
- **Seasonal factor:** Dry season (June–October) is peak construction — expect **3–5% price firming** through October.
Practical takeaway: Buyers locking in Q4 2025 volumes should budget $570–$585/MT CIF for 60/70 grade to avoid spot-market spikes.
Regional Comparison: Tanzania vs. Kenya, Uganda & Zambia
Landlocked neighbors pay significantly more due to transit costs. Tanzania's port access gives it a structural price advantage.
| Country | 60/70 Bitumen Price (USD/MT, delivered) | vs. Tanzania |
|---|---|---|
| **Tanzania (Dar es Salaam)** | **$545 – $575** | — |
| **Kenya (Mombasa)** | $555 – $590 | +2–3% |
| **Uganda (Kampala, via Mombasa)** | $640 – $690 | +18–20% |
| **Rwanda (Kigali)** | $660 – $710 | +21–24% |
| **Zambia (Lusaka)** | $700 – $760 | +28–32% |
| **DR Congo (Lubumbashi)** | $780 – $850 | +43–48% |
Why this matters:
- Tanzanian contractors sourcing directly from Dar es Salaam save **$95–$115/MT** versus Ugandan buyers.
- For a **500 MT project**, this difference equals **$47,500–$57,500** in material cost alone.
- Tanzania also serves as a **transit supplier** to Rwanda, Burundi, and eastern DRC — traders should factor in **$60–$90/MT** for cross-border trucking to Kigali.
How to Get the Best Bitumen Price in Tanzania Today
Follow these five steps to reduce landed cost by 8–15%.
1. Buy in bulk (500 MT+). Bulk vessel parcels or full-container loads cut per-MT freight by $15–$25.
2. Compare at least 3 suppliers. Spread between lowest and highest quotes in Dar es Salaam currently runs $45–$60/MT.
3. Negotiate CIF vs. FOB terms carefully. CIF shifts freight risk to the seller but often hides $10–$20/MT markup.
4. Time purchases to off-peak months. November–February prices are typically 2–4% lower than dry-season peaks.
5. Use a landed-cost calculator. Importers who model duty, VAT, clearing, and inland transport avoid 5–10% budget overruns.
Sample landed cost — 100 MT of 60/70 bitumen, CIF $560/MT:
| Cost Item | Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| CIF value (100 MT × $560) | $56,000 |
| Import duty (0%) | $0 |
| VAT (18%) | $10,080 |
| Clearing & port charges | $2,400 |
| TBS certification | $1,000 |
| Inland transport (Dar → Dodoma) | $3,200 |
| **Total landed cost** | **$72,680** |
| **Effective cost per MT** | **$726.80** |
This shows why the CIF headline price is only 77% of the true delivered cost — a critical insight for accurate bidding.
FAQ: Bitumen Price in Tanzania Today
Q1: What is the current price of 60/70 bitumen in Tanzania?
60/70 penetration bitumen is currently priced at $545–$575 per metric ton CIF Dar es Salaam, or roughly TZS 1,440,000–1,520,000 per ton, depending on supplier and volume. Bulk orders above 500 MT can secure the lower end of this range.
Q2: Is bitumen cheaper in Tanzania than in Kenya or Uganda?
Yes. Tanzania's direct port access makes bitumen 2–3% cheaper than Kenya and 18–20% cheaper than Uganda, which relies on Mombasa transit. Ugandan buyers typically pay $640–$690/MT delivered, versus $545–$575/MT in Dar es Salaam.
Q3: How much does it cost to import 100 tons of bitumen into Tanzania?
A 100 MT shipment at $560/MT CIF lands at approximately $72,680 total, including 18% VAT, clearing, TBS certification, and inland transport. This works out to an effective $726.80 per MT delivered to upcountry sites like Dodoma.
Q4: Are bitumen prices in Tanzania expected to rise or fall in 2025?
Prices are forecast to rise 1–5% through Q4 2025, reaching $565–$590/MT for 60/70 grade. Rising crude oil prices, tighter Iranian supply, and peak dry-season demand are the main upward drivers.
Q5: Which country supplies the cheapest bitumen to Tanzania?
Iran offers the lowest FOB prices at $500–$530/MT from Bandar Abbas, but sanctions-related payment and shipping complications often make UAE (Jebel Ali) supply at $540–$565/MT the most practical and cost-effective option for Tanzanian importers.
Calculate Your Exact Bitumen Landed Cost
Headline CIF prices hide 20–25% in additional costs — VAT, clearing, certification, and inland transport. Before you bid on your next road project, run the numbers with the 6Tar cost calculator to get your true delivered price per MT, per drum, and per kilometer of paving.
Start your free calculation at 6Tar today and lock in accurate bitumen budgets for Tanzania projects — no guesswork, no overruns.