Clear commercial imports through KRA customs
Kenya Revenue Authority · sources read 2 Oct 2026
Hire a licensed customs clearing agent. They lodge your Import Declaration Form and customs entry on KRA's iCMS system, and you pay duty and taxes, including the IDF fee and Railway Development Levy, before Customs releases the goods.
- Fee
- We couldn't confirm a fee from the official page. Check it there before you pay.
- How long
- Compliant goods at inland container depots and container freight stations are released within one working day
- Where
- Through a licensed customs clearing agent on KRA's iCMS customs system, then release at the port, ICD or CFS
What you need
- Import Declaration Form (IDF) and customs declaration (entry)
- Certificate of Conformity (CoC) from the PVoC agent for regulated products, and an import standards mark where it applies
- Valid commercial invoice and pro forma invoice from the exporting firm
- Export declaration for the goods
Steps
- Pick a licensed customs clearing agent from KRA's list.
- Your agent applies for the Import Declaration Form (IDF) and lodges the customs declaration on iCMS.
- Pay the duties and taxes your agent computes. Customs releases the goods only after they are paid, unless the goods are exempt.
- Customs verifies the cargo and releases it.
Watch out
- Since September 2026 KRA requires an export declaration to clear imported goods. Get it from your supplier before the goods ship.
- On top of duty and VAT, you pay an Import Declaration Fee of 2.5% and a Railway Development Levy of 2% of the customs value.
- A wrong IDF can be amended or cancelled free of charge. KRA processes the request within 24 hours.
Who can apply
- Companies and individuals importing goods, through a licensed customs clearing agent
Official sources (7)
- How to Import kra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Public Notice: Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS) kra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Customs Agents kra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Customs Agents Roles kra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- KRA Service Charter (April 2026) kra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Clarification on concerns regarding cargo clearance raised by clearing agents and motor vehicle dealers (press release, 07/09/2026) kra.go.ke · read 2 Oct 2026
- Miscellaneous Fees and Levies Act, 2016 (ss.7-8) new.kenyalaw.org · read 2 Oct 2026