“The Kenya Transporters Association Ltd (KTA) strongly opposes the Kenya Revenue Authority’s (KRA) decision to transfer the cost of mandatory customs cargo monitoring to transporters.”
— Kenya Transporters Association statement, as reported by Kenyans.co.ke
What happened
A cost dispute over electronic cargo seals is putting pressure on the Northern Corridor, the main road route from the Port of Mombasa to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On 26 October 2026 the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) switched off its own government-owned seals for dry cargo and motor vehicles and moved to a multi-vendor system under the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS). Goods moving under customs control must now be fitted with “user-owned” seals bought or leased from one of 15 approved private vendors, replacing the single-vendor arrangement in place since 2017.
On 4 November the Kenya Transporters Association (KTA), led by chairman Newton Wang’oo, told members to stop loading cargo that requires the new seals and not to buy, lease or sign contracts with seal providers until KRA approves a way for transporters to recover the cost through offsets against taxes. Sacco Review reported that more than 5,000 transporters joined the suspension from Thursday 5 November, and that each seal costs between US$350 and US$450 (Ksh45,483 to Ksh58,478) depending on the vendor. Nation, as summarised by UA.NEWS, put the range at Ksh45,000–65,000 per device, plus a monthly service fee of about Ksh3,900 per seal.
KRA says the change addresses seal shortages at tagging zones and ageing devices, and expects better seal availability, shorter queues, fewer false tracking alerts and faster clearance, while letting importers, exporters, transporters, clearing agents and bonded warehouse operators choose their own vendor. KTA has also asked what happened to 13,000 seals KRA previously bought, and says it is seeking legal advice and may go to court. KRA’s Commissioner for Customs and Border Control, Dr Lilian Nyawanda, reportedly said the association’s letter has been forwarded for review. According to later reporting, KTA has urged members to keep moving cargo while refusing to bear the seal costs themselves, so the practical impact may vary from day to day.
What this means for shippers
This dispute sits on the Kenyan side, after discharge, not at the port of loading. Your pre-shipment paperwork for Kenya does not change: the Advance Cargo Declaration (ACD) must still be in place before the container is loaded, with container numbers and HS codes. What can change is how quickly a box leaves Mombasa once it lands. Sacco Review notes that roughly 3,500 trucks collect containers from the port each day and that 44 vessels, including 22 container ships, were due over the following fortnight, so even a partial slowdown can build backlogs at the port, container freight stations and inland depots.
The cargo most exposed is transit and customs-controlled cargo moving inland: shipments for Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, eastern DRC and Burundi routed via Mombasa. Exporters and forwarders should ask the consignee and clearing agent now who will contract the seal vendor and who pays the device and monthly fees, because the new framework lets any party in the chain hold the commercial agreement. Without that agreed in advance, cargo can sit waiting for a truck, with storage and demurrage building up. Transporters themselves have warned of missed delivery deadlines, contractual penalties, storage costs and demurrage.
Practical steps before loading: confirm the Kenya ACD is complete and matches the bill of lading, agree seal responsibility in writing with your buyer, allow extra free time with the shipping line where you can, and keep an eye on KRA and KTA announcements. Read our earlier guide on the 26 October RECTS seal change for background. If you are unsure which documents your Kenya or East Africa shipment needs, contact HMG and our team will check them before your cargo moves.
Key points
- KRA’s government-owned RECTS seals for dry cargo and vehicles stopped on 26 October 2026; seals now come from 15 approved private vendors.
- KTA told members on 4 November to stop loading cargo needing the new seals until KRA allows cost recovery through tax offsets.
- Reported seal costs range from about US$350 to US$500 per device, plus a monthly fee, according to local media.
- Transit cargo on the Northern Corridor to Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and the DRC is most exposed to delays.
- The Kenya ACD is unaffected and must still be completed before loading.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Kenya e-seal dispute about?
KRA has moved cargo tracking seals from a government-supplied system to private vendors, and transporters object to paying for the devices without a way to recover the cost. The Kenya Transporters Association has told members to stop loading cargo that needs the new seals until KRA agrees a cost-recovery mechanism.
Does the dispute change the Kenya ACD requirement?
No. The ACD is a pre-shipment requirement and must still be completed before loading. The seal dispute affects how cargo moves inland after it arrives at Mombasa.
Which shipments are most at risk of delay?
Customs-controlled and transit cargo leaving Mombasa by road, especially for Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan and the DRC. Shippers should agree in advance who arranges and pays for the electronic seal.
