Traders and passengers with goods below Ksh 252,000 ($2000) in value will now declare them through a new digital channel rolled out by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).
The authority says the eCUSTOMS application developed jointly with TradeMark Africa and the British High Commission will enable small and medium enterprises to self-declare cargo using simplified digital forms,
improving accuracy and compliance.
The application also allows passengers to pre-declare customs and accompanied baggage before arrival, allowing faster clearance.
KRA Commissioner for Customs and Border Control Dr. Lilian Nyawanda said the eCUSTOMS solution will ease cross-border trade and promote a conducive business environment by simplifying customs declarations and modernizing border operations.
Nyawanda added that the app provides traders with faster, more accessible, and more transparent services by enabling paperless and seamless processes.
The eCUSTOMS app is further backed to significantly reduce time and costs associated with border transactions.
Ah the busy Busia One Stop Border Post where the platform was unveiled, eCUSTOMS is expected to cut
cumulative truck waiting time by up to 1,200 hours per day, translating to an average of one hour saved per truck.
Speaking during the launch, former Ethiopian Prime Minister and TMA Board Chair Hailemariam Boshe described the initiative as a major milestone for integrating trade across East Africa.
Small-scale traders will also benefit from an estimated Ksh 750 saving per customs declaration, a meaningful difference for women and youth who cross the border multiple times daily.
Additionally, the eCUSTOMS app is expected to support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) by improving the efficiency of trade flows between Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and the broader region.
