Kenya Revenue Authority offices/FILEThe Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) will shift to a multi-vendor system for electronic monitoring and tracking of goods under customs control from October 26, ending the use of its own electronic seals for dry cargo and motor vehicles.
In a public notice issued Friday, October 16, the authority said the transition to the Multi-Vendor User-Owned Framework of the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) would allow importers, exporters, transporters and other users to obtain tracking devices from approved private vendors.
“Effective 26th October, 2026, the Commissioner of Customs and Border Control will commence the roll-out of the Multi-Vendor User-Owned Framework of the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System,” KRA said.
The authority said its existing electronic seals used to track dry cargo and motor vehicle units would cease operating on the same date, with approved vendors taking over the provision of the devices.
“After that date, the electronic monitoring and tracking of goods under Customs control shall be undertaken exclusively by means of devices supplied by the approved Vendors,” the notice stated.
The change will also affect electronic seals used to monitor fuel and other wet cargo, although KRA said the devices it currently owns for that purpose would be phased out progressively.
Unlike the existing arrangement, the new framework will operate through private commercial agreements between approved vendors and users, giving businesses the freedom to choose their preferred service providers.
KRA said users would be at liberty to select any of the approved vendors, although the notice did not specify the number of companies cleared to provide the services.
The authority said the list of approved vendors would be available on its website, www.kra.go.ke. Stakeholders may also request the information through [email protected] or visit the Cargo Monitoring Unit on the 13th floor of Times Tower in Nairobi or other customs offices.
The electronic cargo tracking system is used to monitor the movement of goods under customs control, including consignments transported across borders and through designated transit routes.
The shift is expected to require affected businesses to make arrangements with approved providers ahead of the October 26 deadline to avoid disruptions in cargo monitoring and clearance processes.
Importers, exporters, clearing and forwarding agents, transporters, bonded warehouse operators and businesses operating across the region have been notified of the transition.
KRA said the new framework would govern the supply and use of electronic seals for monitoring goods under customs control, with the transition taking effect according to the timelines outlined in the notice.
