Expired .TZ Domains

What do you mean by .tz domain?

Many African countries use the TLD of their most significant state or, historically, major colonial possession. Tanzania is one of them and uses '.tz' for its ccTLD.

Currently, registration of .tz domains is available to Tanzanian residents only. Foreigners may apply for second-level .co.tz domains.

What are the registration restrictions for a .tz domain name?

The registration restrictions for a .tz domain name are that the domain may only be registered for individuals, legal entities regulated by the Communications Authority of Tanzania (CAT), or companies that provide pro-bono services.

The Registrar of Tanzania (ROT) is in charge of registering domains to organizations, political parties, religious organizations, and regional jurisdictions. They register domains on behalf of the Government of Tanzania.

There are also some restricted words for registrants such as "gov" or "edu."

How do I get a .tz domain?

You must have a trademark registered with the Trademark Registry of Tanzania.

If you would like to register a second-level domain rather than a third, this requires approval from your trademark agent so that they can confirm that your mark is available in a .com or .net extension.

If you are an individual, you need to prove your Tanzanian citizenship with either your Tanzanian passport or National Personal Identification Card.

If you are not an individual but qualified to register a .tz domain, you will need to be regulated by the Communications Authority of Tanzania (CAT).

A .tz domain name may contain between 3 and 63 characters. Allowed characters are the letters of the English alphabet (a-z, A-Z), digits (0-9), and hyphens (-). Names with all other symbols, including spaces, are not allowed.

How do I claim an abandoned domain name?

If a contact person of your business does not update their information for more than 12 months, the Domain Name Registry shall take over and make it available to the public.

If the domain has not been renewed within 2 years after the expiry of its registration, you can claim it by filing a claim with the Registrar of Tanzania (ROT).

What are your thoughts on the .tz domain?

The .tz domain provides a unique and trusted option for businesses and individuals in Tanzania to build their online presence. It is one of the most well-known African countries worldwide, so you have the potential to attract customers from around the world.

If your primary market or target audience is in Tanzania, then this extension may fit best with that demographic.

However, if your business also plans to attract customers outside of Tanzania, you may want to consider a .com or .net domain extension that is more well-known internationally.

Would registering domains for .tz be something you would consider in future trademark registration processes for customers?

It would depend on the prospect, but probably not. It is a good idea to have a domain that can be easily accessed from any country instead of having to translate the domain name into English.

In some cases, it may be helpful for clients and prospects who do not speak English as their first language. However, this is not an important feature and is not currently considered in future trademark registration processes for customers.