Kenya Ports Authority will now be required to communicate and enforce a 24-hour cut-off acceptance time for fresh produce exporters.
This is among the government's new directives aimed at streamlining exports and decongesting the facility.
Under the ease of doing business resolutions the government announced new directives that will streamline operations and speed up clearance of cargo at the Port of Mombasa.
A team led by Investments Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria and his Transport counterpart Kipchumba Murkomen, resolved that perishable goods verification by Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service, Port Health and Horticultural Crops Development Authority should be done at the point of loading.
The new changes will also see permit approvals granted at the single window system to facilitate track and tracing mechanisms.
"Declaration into these systems must be made at the point of acceptance and approval granted," said the multi-agency agency team in a statement.
Data from Fresh Produce Exporters Association indicates that Kenya exports amounted to Sh151.2 billion with the new directives expected to further raise the volume from an estimated 306.6 million metric tonnes.
Importers who also fail to declare and log their containers into the Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS) and Kilindini Waterfront Automated Terminal Operations System (KWATOS) at the point of acceptance will also not have their cargo accepted by Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and KPA.
While state agencies and exporters are expected to ensure 24 hour port operations, the government plans to deploy additional scanners and equipment to increase turnaround time and ensure world class services delivery.
KRA is also expected to hasten the incorporation of other agencies that will aid in running the Authorised Economic Operators and Pre-arrival Processing of Cargo Framework to improve cargo clearing.
"MITI and KRA will relook at the green channel requirements for exporters with a view of encouraging compliance for ease exports and facilitate trade," reads the resolutions.
To further secure the country’s borders, KRA will open a customs office in Tanzania and enhance custom border point in Moyale.
Ministers from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia will also visit the border points to assess operations.
Besides working on a zero long stay container policy, the multi-agency agency team has also agreed to streamline and introduce bonded warehouses for imported used vehicle inspection.
