Transferring your domain to SakuraHost consolidates your domain and hosting management in one place, simplifies billing, and gives you access to our local support team and competitive renewal pricing. This guide covers the complete domain transfer process for both generic TLDs (.com, .net, .org) and Tanzanian ccTLDs (.co.tz, .tz).
Before You Begin: Pre-Transfer Checklist
Before initiating a domain transfer, ensure the following requirements are met:
Transferring Generic TLDs (.com, .net, .org, etc.)
Step 1: Prepare at Your Current Registrar
Log in to your current domain registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Google Domains, etc.) and complete the following:
- Disable the domain transfer lock (usually found under domain settings or security)
- Request or generate the EPP/authorization code
- Disable WHOIS privacy/ID protection if enabled (some registrars require this for transfers)
- Verify that the registrant email address is current and accessible
Step 2: Initiate the Transfer at SakuraHost
Step 3: Approve the Transfer
After initiating the transfer, two things happen:
Gaining registrar (SakuraHost): Sends a transfer request to the losing registrar.
Losing registrar (your current provider): Sends a transfer approval email to the registrant's email address. You must click the approval link in this email to expedite the transfer.
Step 4: Verify Completion
Once approved, the transfer typically completes within 1-5 days. You will receive a confirmation email from SakuraHost when the domain appears in your account. Verify that your DNS records and nameservers are intact after the transfer.
Transferring .co.tz and .tz Domains
Tanzanian ccTLD transfers follow a slightly different process managed by TZ-NIC. The EPP code system may work differently for .tz domains depending on your current registrar.
Post-Transfer Configuration
After a successful transfer, review these settings:
Nameservers: Transfers preserve your existing nameservers. If you want to use SakuraHost's nameservers, update them to the values provided in your hosting welcome email.
DNS Records: If you were using your previous registrar's DNS hosting, you need to either migrate your DNS records to SakuraHost or set up DNS hosting with a third party like Cloudflare. See our guide on How to Set Up Cloudflare CDN with Your SakuraHost Hosting for details.
Domain Lock: After the transfer completes, enable the transfer lock on your domain in your SakuraHost client area to prevent unauthorized transfers.
Auto-Renewal: Enable auto-renewal to ensure your domain does not accidentally expire.
Common Transfer Issues and Solutions
Transfer Rejected
The most common reason for transfer rejection is an active domain lock. Log in to your current registrar and verify the lock is disabled. Other reasons include an expired domain, an incorrect EPP code, or the domain being within the 60-day post-registration lock period.
No Approval Email Received
Check your spam folder. Verify the registrant email address is correct in your WHOIS record. If the email address is outdated, update it at your current registrar before re-initiating the transfer.
Transfer Stuck in Pending
If the transfer has been pending for more than 5 days, contact both your current registrar and SakuraHost support. ICANN policy requires transfers to complete or fail within 5 days unless explicitly rejected.
For any assistance with domain transfers, our support team is available at billing.sakurahost.co.tz/submitticket.php. We can guide you through every step of the process and handle any complications that arise.