The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) will require exporters shipping containerised goods to Kenya to obtain an Advance Cargo Declaration (ACD) reference code before cargo is loaded for shipment under a new digital pre-arrival cargo system that takes effect on August 3, 2026.
The requirement will affect importers, exporters, shipping lines, customs agents and freight forwarders handling containerised cargo destined for Kenyan ports.
In a public notice issued on Tuesday, the tax authority said the Advance Cargo Declaration platform is now available ahead of the rollout.
"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, August 3, 2026,” the notice reads in part.
Under the new system, exporters will be required to obtain an ACD reference code through KRA's online platform before goods leave the exporting country. The platform will generate the reference code after exporters upload a draft Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, freight invoice and export declaration.
According to KRA, the reference code must subsequently be endorsed on the Bill of Lading before the shipment proceeds to a Kenyan port, effectively making the declaration process part of the mandatory documentation for containerised cargo destined for the country.
The new requirement adds another compliance requirement for businesses trading with Kenya and is expected to require closer coordination between exporters, importers, shipping agents and customs clearing firms to avoid delays once the new regime comes into force.
Although the tax authority did not outline the objectives of the new platform in the notice, advance cargo declaration systems are widely used by customs administrations to receive shipment information before cargo arrives, enabling earlier risk assessment and customs processing.
Industry players are expected to spend the next three weeks adjusting their documentation procedures before the mandatory implementation date.
“Stakeholders are urged to visit acd.kra.go.ke for full guidance on the ACD process,” KRA said.
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