Clearing agents at the Port of Mombasa are protesting a new Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) requirement for an Export Declaration (ED) on imports, which took effect on September 1, 2026, under the Finance Act 2026. Agents say the rule has slowed cargo clearance and caused a backlog of vehicles and transit cargo at the port, container freight stations, and inland container depots, exposing importers to demurrage, detention, and storage charges—estimated at about Sh6,000 per unit per day, with roughly 5,000 units accumulating daily. They argue the ED duplicates the Export Certificate already issued by countries of origin for motor vehicles, and they are demanding the immediate release of cargo shipped before August 3, 2026, to which KRA is applying the rule retroactively. KRA, however, insists the requirement is anchored in Section 23B of the Tax Procedures Act and the Finance Act 2026, saying it is legally mandated to implement laws passed by Parliament and that the ED is meant to strengthen verification of imported goods, including declared values and tariff classification, to curb under-declaration and revenue leakages. The taxman declined to comment on motor vehicle valuation disputes, citing the sub judice rule, but said it remains committed to dialogue with stakeholders such as the Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (KIFWA) to find lawful solutions and minimize disruption. (ICE NAIROBI)

Fonte notizia: The East African