NAIROBI, Kenya- The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has begun using a multi-vendor system for electronic cargo seals, giving transporters and other businesses the choice of approved providers to track goods under Customs control.
The new framework took effect on October 26.
KRA-owned electronic seals used for dry cargo and motor vehicles have ceased operating under the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS), with approved vendors’ devices now handling monitoring and tracking for those goods.
KRA says the change is intended to improve seal availability and reduce delays at cargo tagging points.
The authority has approved 15 vendors to provide electronic monitoring and tracking services through the framework.
Users can choose any approved provider, with the arrangement based on a private commercial agreement between the vendor and the user.
Electronic fuel seals used to monitor wet cargo will be phased out progressively, KRA said.
The authority has advised importers, exporters, clearing and forwarding agents, transporters and bonded warehouse operators to consult its website or contact its Cargo Monitoring Unit for the list of approved vendors.
The seals feed into RECTS, the East African Community’s regional cargo tracking system, which enables the monitoring of goods moving under Customs control.
KRA says the framework is intended to strengthen real-time monitoring, improve Customs compliance and support the secure movement of cargo across borders.
The shift follows KRA’s earlier announcement that it would introduce multiple seal providers to address persistent shortages of RECTS devices and disruptions to cargo tracking.
The authority said the model was expected to support port decongestion and improve cargo clearance.
KRA has not specified in the notices how the new framework will affect seal costs for individual users. The commercial terms are to be agreed between users and their chosen approved vendors.
