KRA announces scheduled eight-hour downtime for customs system

KRA announces scheduled eight-hour downtime for customs system

The authority said the temporary suspension is necessary to enhance system performance and ensure smoother operations for all users.

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced that its Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS) will be taken offline this Sunday, October 12, 2025, for routine maintenance expected to last eight hours.

The authority said the temporary suspension is necessary to enhance system performance and ensure smoother operations for all users.

In a notice to stakeholders on Saturday, KRA stated, “Please be advised that there will be a scheduled maintenance of iCMS from Sunday, October 12, 2025, 6:00 am to Sunday, October 12, 2025, 2:00 pm. We regret any inconvenience caused.”

The agency confirmed that the exercise will affect all users, including importers, exporters, clearing agents, and internal KRA officers, who depend on the system for customs documentation and clearance.

During the maintenance window, users will not be able to access iCMS services until the process is completed.

KRA advised stakeholders to make early arrangements for their customs transactions and plan for possible delays during the temporary shutdown.

The iCMS is a digital customs management platform that brings together all import and export operations under one system. It allows traders, shipping companies, and clearing agents to process declarations, monitor cargo movements, and make payments electronically.

The platform has played a crucial role in improving efficiency and transparency at Kenya’s ports and border points by reducing paperwork, minimising clearance delays, and enhancing oversight of goods entering and leaving the country.

KRA has described the iCMS as a key pillar in its modernisation drive, aimed at simplifying customs procedures and ensuring faster, more accountable trade processes. The system integrates both government and private sector players to streamline operations and reduce opportunities for fraud or tax evasion.

Since its rollout, the platform has been instrumental in modernising customs administration, boosting revenue collection, and aligning Kenya’s trade systems with international standards set by the World Customs Organisation.

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