Kenya Introduces Advance Cargo Declaration for Containerized Imports
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has introduced a new Advance Cargo Declaration (ACD) platform for all containerized cargo destined for Kenyan ports.
The digital pre-arrival cargo system went live on 3 August 2026, while the operational advisory indicates 1 September 2026 as the rollout date.
Under the new procedure, an ACD Reference Code must be obtained before the cargo is loaded at the port of origin and must be included on the Bill of Lading and relevant shipping documents before the shipment proceeds to Kenya.
Who must obtain the ACD Reference Code?
The declaration may be submitted by the:
- shipper or exporter;
- appointed freight forwarder; or
- NVOCC managing the shipment.
When a freight forwarder or NVOCC handles the shipment, the parties should agree in advance who will submit the declaration. This will help prevent duplicate applications, delays and compliance issues.
Documents required
To obtain the ACD Reference Code, the applicant must upload the following documents to the official KRA ACD Portal:
- Draft Bill of Lading;
- Commercial Invoice;
- Freight Invoice;
- Export Declaration.
All information provided across these documents must be complete, accurate and consistent.
Registration requirements
Exporters and shippers may register directly on the ACD Portal and submit their own declarations. Account registration requires:
- full name and company name;
- country of registration;
- VAT number, where applicable;
- email address and telephone number;
- business licence upload, with a maximum file size of 5 MB;
- email and SMS verification.
How to submit an ACD application
Applicants must:
- register on the official KRA ACD Portal;
- select “New Request”;
- upload the four required shipment documents;
- complete all sections relating to the parties, shipment, cargo, goods and values;
- carefully review the information entered;
- create the ACD draft;
- submit the application for approval.
For detailed guidance on the registration and submission process, members can download the ACD KRA System Instructions, which include step-by-step explanations and screenshots of the platform.
DOWNLOAD THE ACD KRA SYSTEM INSTRUCTIONS
The KRA validation team will review the application. Once approved, the applicant can download the final ACD document and ensure that the Reference Code is quoted on the Bill of Lading before loading.ment can be requested through the platform.
Common reasons for rejection
According to the KRA instructions, applications may be rejected due to:
- inconsistent shipment information across documents;
- missing, invalid or unclear mandatory documents;
- incorrect Bill of Lading or container details;
- discrepancies in quantities, weight or packages;
- discrepancies in invoice values or currencies;
- incorrect port, vessel or routing information;
- incorrect consignee or importer details;
- differences between the declared goods and the cargo description.
Members involved in containerized shipments to Kenya are strongly encouraged to register early and verify that all commercial and shipping documents are aligned before submitting the declaration.
For access to the platform and complete guidance, please visit:
acd.kra.go.ke
For further information, please contact:
This update concerns containerized cargo destined for Kenyan ports. The documents provided do not indicate an equivalent change for cargo exported from Kenya.