By Ken Muthomi - Reporter
Kenya, June 30, 2026 - The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced that it will automate the licensing process for vehicles transporting transit goods and other goods under customs control through a new digital system.
In a statement on Tuesday, KRA’s Commissioner for Customs and Border Control Department said that the process will take effect from July 1, 2026.
The authority has said that all licenses for Transit Goods (C28) and Vehicles/Vessels Conveying Other Goods Under Customs Control (C40) will now be processed through the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) and the Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS).
The applicants shall first be required to register on the RECTS platform before submitting their applications together with the required documents.
The documents include a motor vehicle logbook, a valid insurance certificate, a COMESA Yellow Card or insurance cover for foreign-registered vehicles, and photographs of the truck and trailer with clearly visible registration numbers.
“The successful applicants will receive the automated licence on their registered email after payment of the requisite fees. The automated licence can be verified using the provided QR Code,” the authority stated.
The authority has clarified that the directive only affects new applications for the year 202 and renewal licences for 2027 going forward.
The authority has further cautioned that submitting the application does not automatically guarantee the issuance of the licence, since every application shall go through a verification process.
Furthermore, KRA has said that manually issued licences granted before the rollout of the automated system will remain valid until December 31, 2026.
First-time applicants who do not have RECTS profiles have been directed to register by visiting the Cargo Monitoring Unit on the 13th Floor of Times Tower, or contacting KRA via email: cmu@kra.go.ke.
They can also register through their nearest Rapid Response Unit at Mazeras, Taru, Voi, Emali, Sameer, Naivasha, Nakuru, Kericho, Eldoret, Bungoma, Kisumu, Kitale, Kainuk, Lodwar, Kakuma or Marsabit.
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