NAIROBI, Kenya – Starting February 14, 2025, all importers in Kenya will be required to secure a digital marine cargo insurance cover from locally licensed insurance firms.
This mandate, jointly issued by the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), aims to ensure that imported goods are protected against risks during transit.
The new system will see the digital marine insurance certificate processed through the IRA’s platform and electronically submitted to the KRA’s integrated Customs Management Systems (ICMS) for customs clearance.
“The confirmation and approval of the Digital Marine Cargo Insurance Certificate will facilitate clearance of cargo in the ICMS,” stated the directive.
To obtain this insurance, importers must possess an active Import Declaration Form (IDF), which includes comprehensive details about the imported goods.
This form will be essential in updating the digital marine certificate.
Importers will fill out the necessary information for the certificate, pay the required premiums, and submit it through the IRA’s electronic platform.
Subsequently, the approved certificate will be forwarded to the KRA system, where importers will receive a notification to download the document for their records and clearance processes.
This initiative follows other significant economic updates, such as a reduction in fuel prices announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) and ongoing efforts to boost Kenya’s e-commerce sector, which aims to generate over Ksh.450 billion by 2027.
This mandate, jointly issued by the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), aims to ensure that imported goods are protected against risks during transit.
The new system will see the digital marine insurance certificate processed through the IRA’s platform and electronically submitted to the KRA’s integrated Customs Management Systems (ICMS) for customs clearance.
“The confirmation and approval of the Digital Marine Cargo Insurance Certificate will facilitate clearance of cargo in the ICMS,” stated the directive.
To obtain this insurance, importers must possess an active Import Declaration Form (IDF), which includes comprehensive details about the imported goods.
This form will be essential in updating the digital marine certificate.
Importers will fill out the necessary information for the certificate, pay the required premiums, and submit it through the IRA’s electronic platform.
Subsequently, the approved certificate will be forwarded to the KRA system, where importers will receive a notification to download the document for their records and clearance processes.
This initiative follows other significant economic updates, such as a reduction in fuel prices announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) and ongoing efforts to boost Kenya’s e-commerce sector, which aims to generate over Ksh.450 billion by 2027.
