The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has directed operators of bonded warehouses, manufacturers under bonded facilities, and transit godowns to apply for the renewal of their 2027 operating licences. The applications should be submitted no later than October 31, 2026, through the Customs iCMS system. The current licences are set to expire on December 31, 2026. This move aims to ensure compliance with regulations and facilitate smooth trade operations.
The KRA has outlined nine mandatory documents that every applicant must submit. These include a copy of the valid 2026 licence, a valid Security Bond (CB6), a current CR12 of the company, and a copy of the title deed or lease agreement. The lease duration is required to extend beyond the licence term. Additionally, applicants must provide Tax Compliance Certificates for both the company and each of its directors.
The applicants must also submit audited annual accounts for the financial year 2025 and a duly completed Form C18 signed and stamped by both the operator and a customs officer. The ninth requirement is the submission of the application itself through the Customs iCMS system by the stated deadline. The KRA emphasizes that assembling all the listed documents does not guarantee that a licence will be renewed.
Each applicant will undergo further vetting by the Authority, and renewal will only be granted where there are no outstanding transactions or unresolved issues with any KRA department. Operators have been urged to clear any such matters before the October 31 deadline. The licensing framework is governed by Sections 62 to 69 and 160 to 166 of the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004.
The regulations for licence renewal are crucial for trade operations in Kenya, as bonded warehouses, manufacturers under bond facilities, and transit godowns play a central role in the country's customs and trade infrastructure. They enable importers and manufacturers to store goods, process raw materials, and move cargo across borders under customs supervision.
A failure to renew licences in time could interrupt supply chains and cross-border trade operations. The KRA has provided channels for operators requiring clarification, including its Contact Centre at 020 4 999 999 or 0711 099 099, or via email at [email protected]. Form C18 is available for download directly from the KRA website.
In other news, the KRA has listed hundreds of imported goods held at warehouses in Nairobi and Mombasa for auction after overstaying their permitted storage periods. The items include vehicles, electronics, agricultural chemicals, and other cargo. Consignees have 30 days from the September 18, 2026, Gazette notices to clear their goods, after which the unclaimed items will be treated as abandoned and sold through KRA’s online auction portal.
Key points
- The Kenya Revenue Authority requires nine mandatory documents for licence renewal of bonded warehouses, manufacturers, and transit godowns.
- The licence applications must be submitted through the Customs iCMS system by October 31, 2026.
- Failure to renew licences in time could interrupt supply chains and cross-border trade operations.
