- KRA has set October 31, 2026, as the deadline for applications to renew several customs licences for 2027.
- The directive covers bonded warehouses, MUB facilities, transit godowns, customs agents and transit sheds.
- Applications must be submitted through the Customs Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS).
- Operators must provide supporting documents and clear outstanding issues with KRA.
- Transit shed operators applying for 2027 to 2029 licences will pay the Kenya shilling equivalent of US$10,000 if successful.
Businesses operating within Kenya’s customs and cargo clearance system have been given until October 31, 2026, to submit applications for renewal of licences due to expire at the end of the year.
The Kenya Revenue Authority said the deadline applies to operators whose current licences run until December 31, 2026. Applications for the new licensing period must be lodged through the Customs Integrated Customs Management System, commonly known as iCMS.
The notice covers several categories of operators, including bonded warehouses, Manufacture Under Bond facilities, transit godowns, licensed customs agents and transit sheds. KRA has also warned that submitting the required documents does not automatically guarantee approval, as applicants will still undergo compliance checks and further vetting.
Bonded Facilities Must Prepare Key Documents
Operators of bonded warehouses, MUB facilities and transit godowns will need to submit a range of documents alongside their renewal applications.
KRA requires a copy of the valid 2026 licence and the relevant CB6 security bond. Applicants must also provide a current company CR12, valid title or lease documents, and Tax Compliance Certificates for both the company and its directors.
The authority has further listed the company’s audited accounts for the 2025 financial year and a duly completed, signed and stamped Form C18 among the mandatory documents. KRA says renewal will only be granted after confirming that the applicant has no outstanding transactions or unresolved matters with any department of the authority.
Customs Agents to Use Form C20
Licensed customs agents have a separate set of requirements for their 2027 applications.
KRA says agents must submit their applications through iCMS by October 31 and attach a duly completed Form C20. Other requirements include a current CR12 or CR13, a valid company Tax Compliance Certificate, a bond and debt clearance certificate, a copy of the previous C21 licence and a KIFWA Clearance Certificate for the year of application.
The authority will review the applications before deciding whether to issue the renewed licences. KRA’s general customs licensing guidance also provides for compliance checks and possible vetting before renewal.
Transit Shed Operators Face Three-Year Renewal
Transit shed operators are being invited to apply for licences covering the 2027 to 2029 period.
Applicants will be required to provide copies of their valid licences for 2024, 2025 and 2026. They must also submit a security bond, company registration certificate, Gazette Notice authorising them to operate as a transit shed, and valid title or lease documents.
The list also includes a current CR12, Tax Compliance Certificates for the company and directors, audited accounts for 2025 and a completed Form C18 signed and stamped by the relevant parties. Applications must also be submitted through iCMS before the October 31 deadline.
Transit Shed Licence Will Cost US$10,000
KRA has set the licence fee for successful transit shed applicants at the Kenya shilling equivalent of US$10,000 per licence.
The authority has stressed that submission of the required paperwork is not itself an approval. Applicants will still be subjected to further vetting before KRA makes a final decision on the renewal.
The requirements are part of KRA’s wider customs licensing framework, which places compliance with tax and customs obligations at the centre of the renewal process.
Operators Urged to Beat October Deadline
The three KRA public notices were issued on September 21, 2026, giving affected businesses just over a month to complete their applications.
Operators with licences expiring on December 31 are therefore expected to gather the required documentation and submit their applications through iCMS before October 31. KRA has made clear that unresolved transactions or other outstanding matters can affect the renewal process.
The licensing exercise covers businesses that play a key role in Kenya’s customs and cargo handling system. For operators seeking to continue working beyond the end of 2026, meeting the deadline and satisfying the authority’s compliance requirements will be necessary before the new licences are issued.
