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ACD 1 destination Filed before loading

ACD certificate

Kenya's advance cargo declaration, mandatory for all containerised cargo since 3 August 2026.

24–48 hrsTypical issuance
0Destinations
0Ports covered
4Core documents

What is an ACD?

The ACD is Kenya's advance cargo declaration, administered by the Kenya Revenue Authority. It became mandatory for containerised sea cargo on 3 August 2026, and since 1 September 2026 carriers have been instructed to verify a valid reference before a container is loaded.

Kenya is the newest destination to introduce advance declaration, and the carrier verification step makes it one of the strictest. A missing reference stops the shipment at the port of loading rather than at Mombasa, which is a significant change from how these requirements have historically been enforced.

Full name: Advance Cargo Declaration. The reference number must be endorsed on the final Bill of Lading before the container is loaded.
Questions

ACD FAQs

When did the ACD become mandatory?
For all containerised cargo destined for Kenyan ports from 3 August 2026. Carrier verification before loading followed on 1 September 2026.
Is the ACD the same as an IDF?
No. The ACD and the Import Declaration Form are separate requirements at different stages of the same shipment. Obtaining an ACD does not discharge your IDF obligations.
What does the reference look like?
A fifteen-digit code beginning ACDKE, followed by the year and a sequential number.
Does it apply to air freight?
The requirement covers containerised sea cargo. For anything that is not standard containerised sea freight, confirm the current position before shipping.
Coverage

Countries requiring an ACD

Each has its own documents and deadlines. Open a destination for the detail.

Kenya Kenya Mombasa +1 ACD
Requirements

Documents required

Every ACD starts from the same four documents. Some destinations ask for more — the panel cycles through each country.

  
 
 Issued electronically as PDF
Reference number Goes on your final B/L
Destination Port of discharge
StatusValidatedAccepted by the authority
Endorse the reference on the Bill of Lading before the container is loaded.

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Required Documents

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