Container tracking devices — battery GPS for every container
A container tracking device is a small, battery-powered GPS unit that magnet-mounts to a shipping container or trailer and reports its live position over the mobile network — no wiring, no fixed power. Trakora supplies, configures and monitors two proven devices for 20ft and 40ft containers, trailers and break-bulk cargo across Tanzania and the corridors into DRC, Rwanda and Zambia. Devices from 130,000 TZS, on a plan of 25,000 TZS per device / month, billed in TZS with a TRA-EFD VAT invoice.
Which container tracker do you need?
Two proven battery GPS devices, both magnet-mount with no wiring. The Concox AT4 is the best-value everyday tracker; the Teltonika TAT100 is the premium unit for high-value cargo and long unpowered legs.
| Concox AT4 — best value | Teltonika TAT100 — premium | |
|---|---|---|
| Device price | 130,000 TZS | 380,000 TZS |
| Monthly plan | 25,000 TZS / device | 25,000 TZS / device |
| Battery | ~30 days at 4 pings/day; switchable to 5-min pings | Battery option up to 5 years at low ping rates |
| Mounting | Magnetic, no wiring, IP67 | Magnetic, heavy-duty enclosure |
| Motion & sensors | Motion-wake (no false pings) | On-device geofence, door / shock sensors |
| Best for | General container & trailer visibility | High-value cargo, long unpowered legs |
Devices are a one-off purchase; the 25,000 TZS per-device monthly plan covers the live dashboard, alerts and support. LATRA VTS accreditation is in progress. A battery GPS tracker is a commercial device and does not replace an accredited customs seal.
How a container GPS tracker works
The device fixes its position from GPS and sends it — with motion and, on the TAT100, door and shock events — over a cellular SIM to your Trakora dashboard. It sleeps between reports to save battery and wakes on movement, so you get a live position while the container moves and a full route history you can replay and export.
Set a geofence around your yard, the port or a customer site and Trakora raises an arrival or departure alert the moment a container crosses it. Every position, alert and gate event is stamped against the container so you always have an accurate, replayable record of where each box has been.
The tracker uses a cellular SIM (Vodacom, Airtel, Tigo or Halotel). Trakora supplies and configures the SIM and the device as part of onboarding.
Where to mount it
The magnet mount means no drilling and no wiring — where you place it is a trade-off between GPS view and how easy it is to reach.
- Outside corner, top-rear
- The most common position — a clear view of the sky for the best GPS fix, and hard to reach or remove in transit.
- Inside, on the door header
- Protected from theft, but GPS can struggle when the container is stacked or below deck.
- On the chassis
- For trailer-only tracking — works well but is more exposed. Magnet edges can be painted to match and disguise the unit.
Cross-border & corridor tracking
For loads running Dar es Salaam to DRC (Lubumbashi), Rwanda (Kigali) or Zambia, the tracker pings more often while moving and less at rest — giving you a full corridor trail, border-crossing alerts and an ETA. Positions through coverage gaps are stored on the device and uploaded when signal returns, so the trail stays complete.
Pair a device with a Trakora route corridor and you also get an alert the moment a container drifts off the agreed route between the port and the destination hinterland.
E-lock or GPS tracker — which one?
Two different jobs. Many operators run both: the e-lock proves custody, the battery GPS gives always-on position.
- Battery GPS tracker (this page)
- Fast to fit on any container or trailer, no wiring — for general location visibility, geofence alerts and route history. From 130,000 TZS.
- GL600 e-lock
- Choose a container e-lock when you need tamper-proof, sealed tracking with a locked/unlocked audit trail — for ECTS-style bonded and corridor moves. See ECTS & bonded corridors.
A commercial e-lock still does not replace an accredited customs seal; for customs seals, start with TRA and your clearing agent. See the full container e-lock tracking module.
Pricing in TZS
Devices are a one-off purchase: 130,000 TZS for the Concox AT4 or 380,000 TZS for the Teltonika TAT100. On top of that, the container tracking plan is 25,000 TZS per device per month — the live dashboard, geofence and arrival/departure alerts, route history and support.
Everything is billed in TZS with a TRA-EFD VAT invoice. Pay by M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa, Airtel Money, bank transfer or card.
Frequently asked questions
How much does container tracking cost per month?
The container tracking plan is 25,000 TZS per device per month, billed in TZS with a TRA-EFD VAT invoice. Pay by M-Pesa, Tigo Pesa, Airtel Money, bank transfer or card. The device itself is a one-off purchase: 130,000 TZS for the Concox AT4 or 380,000 TZS for the Teltonika TAT100.
Which container tracker should I choose?
For general container and trailer visibility, the Concox AT4 (130,000 TZS) is the best-value choice: magnet-mount, IP67 and about 30 days of battery. For high-value cargo or long unpowered legs, the Teltonika TAT100 (380,000 TZS) adds a much longer battery option, on-device geofencing and door/shock sensors.
How long does the battery last?
The Concox AT4 runs about 30 days at four pings a day and can be switched to 5-minute pings for an active shipment. The Teltonika TAT100 offers a battery option rated up to five years at low ping rates. Battery life always depends on how often the device reports.
Can it track a container across borders?
Yes. It tracks anywhere with mobile coverage along the Dar es Salaam corridors into DRC, Rwanda and Zambia, with route history and border-crossing alerts. Positions recorded through coverage gaps are stored on the device and uploaded when signal returns.
Where is the device mounted, and can it be hidden?
It magnet-mounts to the outside top-rear corner of the container for the clearest GPS view, with no drilling or wiring. The magnet edges can be painted to match the container to disguise it. It can also sit inside on the door header or on a trailer chassis.
Does a container tracking device replace a customs seal?
No. A battery GPS tracker is a commercial visibility device for your own cargo; it is not an accredited customs seal and does not discharge a customs obligation. If customs mandates a seal, use theirs and add your own tracker for independent tracking. For a sealed, tamper-proof custody trail, see our container e-lock tracking.