KRA Makes Marine Cargo Insurance Mandatory From November 1

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) will require all imported goods to have digital marine cargo insurance from November 1, 2026. The new requirement will affect importers and clearing agents handling shipments entering the country.

In a public notice issued on Thursday, October 22, KRA said it would enforce the requirement alongside the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA). The authority said the move follows earlier notices on mandatory Digital Marine Cargo Insurance (MCI).

Importers will need valid marine cargo insurance policies issued by insurers licensed by the IRA. The insurance certificates must also pass through the designated digital system before customs declarations are submitted.

New Insurance System Required Before Customs Declaration

Under the new arrangement, insurance certificates must be processed through the Digital Marine Cargo Insurance System. The system must then successfully transmit the certificates to the Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS).

Importers must complete this process before submitting their customs declarations for incoming shipments. Failure to meet the requirement could prevent consignments from proceeding through customs clearance.

KRA warned that shipments without the required insurance documentation would be blocked from clearance. The authority urged importers, clearing agents and other affected businesses to prepare before the November deadline.

“Consignments failing to meet these requirements will be blocked from clearance,” KRA stated in its notice. The authority cautioned stakeholders against ignoring the requirement, warning that non-compliance could cause delays and disrupt trade.

Businesses involved in importing goods have been advised to consult the IRA website for further guidance. Importers should confirm their insurers' licensing status and ensure their certificates are successfully transmitted through the required systems.

KRA Changes Cargo Monitoring Operations

The insurance requirement comes as KRA implements wider changes to its cargo monitoring and customs operations. The authority is also transitioning away from government-owned electronic cargo tracking seals.

The phase-out is expected to be completed by October 26, 2026. The change forms part of the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS), which allows operators to choose authorised private providers.

Under the revised arrangement, importers, transporters and other cargo operators can select from approved vendors supplying electronic tracking devices. The approach expands the role of authorised private providers in monitoring cargo movements.

Electronic tracking systems help authorities monitor goods as they move through regional transport routes. Such systems support cargo visibility and help customs agencies oversee shipments entering or passing through participating countries.

The changes mean importers and logistics businesses must pay attention to both insurance documentation and cargo tracking requirements. Companies should confirm the procedures applicable to their shipments to avoid unnecessary delays at customs.

Importers Urged to Prepare Early

Businesses importing goods into Kenya should contact their clearing agents and insurers to understand the new process. They should also confirm that the required insurance documents can be processed and transmitted before making customs declarations.

Importers handling shipments close to the November 1 deadline should pay particular attention to documentation requirements. Missing certificates or unsuccessful transmission could hold up clearance even when goods have already arrived.

KRA has made compliance a condition for customs clearance under the new insurance requirement. Businesses that prepare early can reduce the risk of interruptions to their import operations when enforcement begins.