The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) will roll out the Advance Cargo Declaration (ACD) platform on August 3, requiring importers, exporters and shipping stakeholders to comply with a new digital pre-arrival declaration process for containerised cargo destined for Kenyan ports.
In a public notice issued on Tuesday, KRA said the new platform is designed to facilitate the electronic declaration of cargo before it arrives in the country, marking a shift in how containerised imports destined for Kenya are processed.
The tax authority said the platform will officially go live on Monday, August 3, and will apply to all containerised cargo shipped to Kenyan ports.
"KRA informs all users of Kenya's ports that an Advance Cargo Declaration (ACD) platform, a digital pre-arrival cargo system for all containerised cargo destined for Kenya ports, is now available. The implementation of this platform will be launched on Monday, 3rd August, 2026," the authority said.
Under the new arrangement, exporters shipping goods to Kenya will be required to obtain an Advance Cargo Declaration reference code through the online portal before cargo is loaded for shipment.
According to KRA, the reference code will be generated after exporters upload four key documents to the platform.
These include a draft bill of lading, a commercial invoice, a freight invoice and an export declaration.
Once generated, the ACD reference code must be endorsed on the bill of lading before the shipment proceeds to a Kenyan port.
The notice targets a wide range of stakeholders across the logistics chain, including importers, exporters shipping goods to Kenya, shipowners, carriers, shipping agents, customs agents and other parties involved in international cargo movement.
KRA has advised stakeholders to familiarise themselves with the new process ahead of the launch by visiting the dedicated ACD portal, where detailed guidance on the declaration procedure has been published.
The authority also provided dedicated email contacts for operational support and inquiries as businesses prepare for the transition.
The Advance Cargo Declaration system introduces a pre-arrival declaration stage into the cargo clearance process, requiring key shipping documents to be submitted before containerised cargo begins its journey to Kenya.
Currently, import cargo clearance largely relies on documentation submitted after cargo has been shipped and as it approaches or arrives at Kenyan ports through existing customs clearance procedures.
The new platform adds an earlier digital declaration requirement intended to capture shipment information before departure.
The introduction of advance cargo declaration systems has become increasingly common in international trade as customs administrations seek earlier access to shipment information to improve cargo planning, customs risk management and border operations.
Although unclear whether the introduction of the platform would alter existing customs clearance procedures after cargo arrives in Kenya, stakeholders should ensure they comply with the new pre-arrival declaration requirements once the system becomes operational.
The authority urged all affected parties to prepare for the rollout before the August 3 implementation date to avoid disruptions to containerised shipments destined for Kenya.
