The long queues experienced at border points could soon be a thing of the past if initiatives laid out by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) are implemented.
Speaking during a media engagement held in Nairobi, Joachim Mwawasi, Manager of Customs and Border Control at KRA on Tuesday, October 22, explained various measures put in place to enhance efficiency in the movement of goods across borders.
In a move aimed at streamlining operations, the taxman has adopted initiatives such as establishing baggage hall offices across all border points which act as support desks for traders.
The Authority has also adopted a pre-arrival processing system and the Custom Simplified Import Process to reduce the time and cost of moving goods across borders.
Joachim Mwawasi, Manager Customs and Border Control at the KRA speaks during a media engagement session at the Times Tower in Nairobi on October 22, 2024. photo/ The Kenya Times
Pre-arrival clearance refers to the electronic submission of import data and documents to Customs and other government authorities for processing before the actual arrival of goods.
According to KRA, risk assessment is done before the arrival of cargo, enabling prompt release of goods upon arrival.
The Customs Simplified Import Process, on its part, applies to goods from the EAC members or other tripartite organizations.
It is a process where a trader presents goods, commercial invoices, relevant permits, and a simplified certificate of origin showing that the goods are from an East African Community (EAC) member state.
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Once presented at any entry port, Customs verifies the authenticity of the signature and stamp on the simplified certificate of origin. If satisfactory, KRA will clear the goods in question without involving a customs agent to save time for the importer.
“The trader does not have to go through a clearing agent. With the simplified certificate of origin showing that your goods come from the East African Community then some taxes won’t apply,” Joachim Mwawasi said in the roundtable.
In addition to the pre-arrival processing, KRA has worked to ensure the installation of modern scanners at various entry points.
So far, KRA has installed 33 cargo and baggage scanners at the entry ports in a move aimed at enabling fast decision-making and reducing the number of consignments targeted for verification.
Consequently, the time taken to clear goods has been reduced in one of the initiatives to facilitate efficient trade.
Related to the scanners is the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS).
KRA adopts real time tracking system
EAC member states have implemented the RECTS, a system that enables real-time tracking of transit cargo from Mombasa to its destination, reducing the number of checks along the way.
Benefits of the RECTS system include decongestion of the border, reducing clearance time, and enhanced security since the location can be tracked in real time.
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Coupled with the increased one-stop border points, these initiatives are projected to enhance efficiency in customs operations and enable seamless flow of goods across borders.
On top of the already implemented initiatives, the taxman plans to roll out a self-clear solution for consolidated cargo.
The self-clear solution, once implemented, will enable traders to submit simplified declarations through mobile applications.
KRA is also working to automate the Form F88 for clearance of accompanied baggage by travelers entering the country through airports which will be available on website and through a mobile application.
Other plans in the pipeline include the introduction of a mobile self-clear solution for small scale traders, to be applicable to goods through land borders.
Similarly, the tax authority is working towards introducing a mobile self-clear solution for toll processing which will be applicable to cross border means of transport.
The implementation of these initiative has led to growth of KRA’s revenue from customs, with the tax agency vowing to device more measures for enhancing efficiency.
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