KRA activates Advanced Cargo Declaration and plans Smart Gate pilot at Mombasa
Key points
- KRA activated the Advanced Cargo Declaration (ACD) system at the beginning of this month for pre-arrival documentation.
- With KPA, it plans a Smart Gate pilot supported by deeper iCMS integration with partner agencies.
- Port of Mombasa handles an estimated 2.1 million TEUs as the region’s principal maritime gateway.
- CG Adan Mohammed pledged support for honest traders and zero tolerance for deliberate non-compliance.
Kenya Revenue Authority has switched on its Advanced Cargo Declaration system so importers can submit and verify cargo documentation before goods are loaded at the port of export — a pre-arrival process activated at the start of this month, KBC reported from a high-level coordination meeting with Kenya Ports Authority and private-sector players.
Commissioner General Adan Mohammed framed the reform as joint work, not a revenue agency solo run. “The success of our port depends on our ability to work together. Our objective is to create a seamless, predictable and efficient cargo clearance environment that supports business growth while protecting the country’s revenue,” he said during the strategic session.
Smart Gate, shifts and enforcement
KRA and KPA also announced plans to commence piloting of the Smart Gate at the port, backed by enhanced integration between the Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS) and Partner Government Agencies. The pilot is expected to automate cargo movement, improve supply-chain visibility and cut delays at exit points. To keep gates live around the clock, the two entities will harmonise staff shifts for continuous operations.
Enforcement against tax evasion and fraud remains a priority as KRA pushes collection. “KRA will continue supporting honest businesses through efficient service delivery, but we shall maintain zero tolerance against deliberate non-compliance. Effective enforcement protects compliant traders, safeguards government revenue and enhances Kenya’s competitiveness as a regional trade and logistics hub,” Mohammed added, according to the report.
Mombasa currently handles an estimated 2.1 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs), underscoring why clearance friction or fraud leaks matter for the whole Northern Corridor. Business desk: Business. Verified: ACD activation timing, Mohammed quotes, Smart Gate pilot with KPA/iCMS, shift harmonisation, 2.1m TEUs figure, zero-tolerance language. Pilot start dates, lane selection and trader SOPs will come from operational circulars rather than the coordination meeting alone.
Importers and freight forwarders should align documentation teams with ACD timelines so pre-arrival files match what arrives on the vessel. Honest traders stand to gain from faster, more predictable gates — if Smart Gate automation and continuous shifts reduce rent-seeking chokepoints rather than merely relocating them. Logistics associations will want public KPIs: dwell time, inspection rates and dispute turnaround after the pilot begins.
Based on KBC reporting of KRA/KPA remarks. Operational circulars and iCMS release notes control technical requirements for traders.
