Tanzania's trademark recordation regime: Fair Competition Commission (FCC) clarifies key issues for trademark owners
Tanzania's Fair Competition Commission has clarified new trademark recordation regulations introduced in 2025 to combat counterfeit goods. The guidance confirms that both local and foreign trademark registrations are valid for border enforcement applications.
Why it matters
This provides legal certainty for international brand owners looking to protect their intellectual property within the Tanzanian market.
Trademark recordation is a border enforcement mechanism through which trademark owners record details of their trademarks with a designated authority to facilitate the identification and interception of counterfeit goods entering a country.
In 2025, Tanzania introduced a mandatory trademark recordation regime through amendments to the Merchandise Marks Act Cap. 85 R.E 2023 (the Merchandise Act ) and the enactment of the Merchandise Marks (Recordation) Regulations, 2025 (the Regulations ). The new framework established a more robust border enforcement mechanism aimed at combating the importation of counterfeit goods and enhancing protection of intellectual property rights in Tanzania, marking a significant shift towards a more proactive approach to border enforcement.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in