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The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced that, beginning December 1, 2025, all bank guarantees related to customs operations will be processed and managed exclusively via the Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS).
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In a public notice signed by the Commissioner for Customs and Border Control, KRA said the move is part of its digital transformation drive to boost efficiency, transparency, and compliance across customs procedures.
“The Kenya Revenue Authority wishes to inform all stakeholders—including importers, exporters, clearing agents, and other customs participants—that effective 1st December 2025, all bank guarantees shall be executed and managed exclusively through the Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS),” the notice dated November 12 reads.
The tax authority said the full automation will eliminate manual processing, shorten turnaround times, and enhance data accuracy in customs operations. The system will also tighten security controls and reduce risks linked to paper-based documentation and potential fraud.
KRA has urged all traders and clearing agents to ensure that future bank guarantees are submitted through iCMS, assuring stakeholders of technical assistance and user support during the transition period.
The shift aligns with KRA’s wider modernisation strategy under the Customs and Border Control Department, which aims to create a technology-driven, seamless trade environment.
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Already, the iCMS platform handles key customs services—covering imports, exports, and transit cargo—under one unified digital system to enhance speed, transparency, and accountability in trade facilitation.
For support, traders and agents can reach the KRA Contact Centre via (020) 4 999 999, 0711 099 999, or visit the nearest KRA office. Users can also access select services by dialing *222# free of charge.
A bank guarantee acts as a financial assurance issued by a bank on behalf of a trader to guarantee that any customs duties, taxes, or fees owed to KRA will be paid.
Such guarantees are often required when goods are moved before full payment of taxes—such as in bonded warehouses, transit shipments, or temporary imports—ensuring that KRA can recover the due amount if the trader defaults.
