Every instrument as a dated obligation. Status is computed from today’s date against the
effective date — never stored — so this screen cannot go out of step with the law.
1 imminent
11 in force
“Imminent” means it takes effect within 90 days. Renewable instruments
are marked — those are the ones that will bite you again next year.
Advance Cargo Declaration (ACD)
KRA · East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004
Imminent
3 Aug 2026
(tomorrow)
No direct fee; non-compliance penalties apply
A 15-digit ACD reference must appear on the Bill of Lading before the shipment is loaded at origin. Shipments loaded without a valid reference face penalties and clearance delays on arrival.
What to do
Confirm every supplier and origin agent obtains the ACD reference before loading, and that your Bill of Lading template carries the field.
1 Dec 2025
(8 months ago)
Varies by service and container size
Revised schedule of port handling, storage and ancillary charges at Mombasa and the inland container depots.
What to do
Rebase landed-cost models and re-paper client contracts that quote pre-2025 rates.
Source: Kenya Gazette Notice — Kenya Ports Authority Tariff 2025
Railway Development Levy at 2%
KRA · Tax Laws (Amendment) Act, 2024
In force
27 Dec 2024
(2 years ago)
2% of CIF
RDL charged at 2% of CIF value on imports, raised from 1.5%.
What to do
Confirm the 2% rate is in your duty calculator and quoted landed costs.
Source: Kenya Gazette Supplement — Tax Laws (Amendment) Act, 2024
Import Declaration Fee at 2.5%
KRA · Finance Act, 2023
In force
1 Jul 2023
(3 years ago)
2.5% of CIF
IDF charged at 2.5% of CIF value, reduced from 3.5%.
What to do
File the IDF before the goods leave origin to avoid arrival-side delay.
Source: Kenya Gazette Supplement — Finance Act, 2023
Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS)
KRA · East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004
In force
1 Jul 2019
(7 years ago)
KRA’s electronic platform for declaration, risk profiling, assessment, release and post-clearance audit, integrated with KenTrade and other agency systems.
What to do
Ensure agents lodge digitally; paper-adjacent workflows now create the delay.
Source: Kenya Gazette Notice — KRA migration to the Integrated Customs Management System
EAC Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers Act, 2017
EAC · EAC Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers Act, 2017
In force
1 Sept 2017
(9 years ago)
Establishes the legal mechanism for reporting and resolving non-tariff barriers between partner states, with defined resolution timelines.
What to do
Barriers can be reported through the AfCFTA online mechanism at tradebarriers.africa. Unreported barriers are never resolved.
Source: EAC Gazette — Elimination of Non-Tariff Barriers Act, 2017
Pre-Export Verification of Conformity (PVoC)
KEBS · Standards Act, Cap 496
In force
29 Sept 2005
(21 years ago)
per shipment
Charged by the appointed inspection agency, typically % of FOB
Regulated goods must be inspected at origin by a KEBS-appointed agency and carry a Certificate of Conformity before shipment.
What to do
Brief suppliers at order stage, not at booking. Destination inspection is materially more expensive and slower.
Source: Kenya Gazette Notice — KEBS Pre-Export Verification of Conformity programme
Customs Agent Licence
KRA · East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004
In force
1 Jan 2005
(22 years ago)
annual
Annual licence fee plus security bond
Only KRA-licensed agents may lodge customs declarations. Licences are renewed annually.
What to do
Verify your agent’s licence number against the KRA register each year.
Source: Kenya Gazette Notice — KRA licensing of customs agents (EACCMA s.145)
Bonded Warehouse Licence and CB6 Bond
KRA · East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004
In force
1 Jan 2005
(22 years ago)
annual
Licence fee plus bond premium
Bonded warehouse operators require a current licence and an active CB6 security bond guaranteeing duty on goods held.
What to do
Reconcile bond value against peak duty exposure, not average stock.
Source: Kenya Gazette Notice — KRA bonded warehouse licensing (EACCMA Part IX)
EAC Customs Management Act, 2004
EAC · East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004
In force
1 Jan 2005
(22 years ago)
The primary customs statute across EAC partner states, governing declarations, transit, warehousing and enforcement.
What to do
Baseline reference for all cross-border procedure within the EAC.
Source: EAC Gazette — East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004
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