Kenya has introduced a further mandatory requirement for containerised import cargo, and enforcement has entered a strict phase.
Kenya has introduced a further mandatory requirement for containerised import cargo, and enforcement has entered a strict phase. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has implemented a compulsory Advance Cargo Declaration (ACD) requirement applicable to all container cargo imported into Kenyan ports - transshipment cargo destined beyond Kenya is exempt - effective 3 August 2026. Authorities commenced strict enforcement from 1 September local time.
Per shipping notices issued by carriers, cargo without a valid ACD reference number risks being rolled to the next vessel; non-compliant shipments may also face clearance delays, increased inspections, inability to discharge, and financial penalties.
The Kenya Revenue Authority previously announced the activation of the ACD platform from 3 August 2026, mandating advance declaration for all containerised cargo destined for Kenyan ports. The requirement has now entered its strict enforcement phase.
Cargo transiting Kenya with a final destination outside the country is not required to complete an ACD. For container shipments imported directly into Kenya, exporters, shippers, or freight forwarders must complete the ACD declaration prior to cargo loading and obtain a 15-digit ACD reference number. That number must also be reflected on the final bill of lading.
In accordance with requirements published by the Kenya Revenue Authority, ACD applications must be submitted through the designated platform along with the relevant cargo documentation. The primary documents currently required include: a draft bill of lading, commercial invoice, freight invoice, and export customs declaration.
Upon completion of the declaration, payment of applicable fees, and approval, an ACD certificate and 15-digit reference number are issued. The ACD reference number must then be accurately entered on the final bill of lading. The ACD declaration is therefore not a post-arrival formality - it is a pre-shipment obligation that must be fulfilled before cargo is loaded.
The operational implications for freight forwarders are direct and significant. In a notice issued on 17 September, CMA CGM confirmed that local authorities have been enforcing the requirement strictly since 1 September, and that cargo without a valid ACD reference number may be rolled to another vessel.
Furthermore, missing or incorrectly submitted ACD information may result in clearance delays at the destination port, additional inspections, inability to discharge, and associated costs including penalties and demurrage. In serious cases, detention or confiscation of cargo may also apply.
For freight forwarders with Kenya-bound import cargo in the near term, documentation coordination at the booking and pre-shipment stage must include confirmation that ACD processing has been completed - to avoid situations where cargo has already entered the transport chain before incomplete declaration information is identified. The Kenya ACD platform is now live, and relevant parties may apply and verify specific requirements through the official KRA platform.
