The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has set October 31 deadline for the application for the renewal of licences covering several customs-related businesses for 2027.The three separate notices, as seen by Kenyans.co.ke, affect bonded warehouses, Manufacture Under Bond facilities, transit godowns, licensed customs agents, and transit shed operators whose licences expire on December 31, 2026.“Applications for Renewals will be submitted through the Customs iCMS system on or before 31st October, 2026,” KRA stated.For bonded warehouses, MUB facilities, and transit godowns, operators must submit a valid 2026 licence, a CB6 security bond, and a current company CR12.They must also provide valid title or lease documents, company and directors’ Tax Compliance Certificates, 2025 audited accounts and a completed C18 form.On the other front, customs agents must apply through the iCMS platform using form C20, accompanied by their 2026 CR12 or CR13 and company Tax Compliance Certificate.They must also submit a bond and debt clearance, their previous C21 licence and a KIFWA Clearance Certificate for the year of application.Likewise, transit shed operators seeking 2027 to 2029 licenses must provide their 2024 to 2026 licenses, security bond, company registration certificate, and Gazette Notice.They must also submit title or lease documents, the current CR12, the company and directors’ Tax Compliance Certificates, the 2025 audited accounts, and the completed C18.Successful transit shed applicants will pay a license fee equivalent to Ksh1.3 million (USD10,000), with applications submitted through the Customs iCMS system.Also required are the Gazette Notice to operate, the current CR12, company and directors' tax compliance certificates, the 2025 audited accounts, and a signed, stamped Form C18 from www.kra.go.ke. KRA says renewal for bonded warehouses, Manufacture under Bond (MUB) Facilities, and transit godowns will depend on applicants having no outstanding transactions or issues with any department.The authority also stated that submission of the required documents does not guarantee renewal, as applicants will undergo further vetting before licenses are issued.Thus, this directive is set to affect more than 59,000 active domestic importers operating nationwide, ranging from large industrial conglomerates and regional distributors to small-scale businesses serving retail markets.These importers facilitate cross-border trade through over 2.09 million recorded shipments, with China remaining the leading source, followed by suppliers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.
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