KRA postpones 7-hour cargo clearance system downtime
By Aloys Michael, April 2, 2026The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced a revised schedule for maintenance on its Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS), which will impact cargo clearance operations at the Port of Mombasa.
According to a notice issued on April 1, 2026, the seven-hour system downtime has been moved to Sunday, April 12, 2026, instead of the initially planned April 4-6, 2026, potentially affecting import and export processing.
“The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) wishes to inform partner government agencies, importers, exporters, clearing agents, shipping lines, and the general public that the scheduled maintenance of the Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS), originally planned for Saturday, 4th April 2026, at 1800 hrs to Monday, 6th April 2026 At 06:00 hours has been rescheduled,” the notice read in part.
According to the KRA, maintenance was delayed following discussions with importers, exporters, clearing agents, and government agencies to ensure smoother cargo flow and minimal disruption during the busy trading period.
In the notice, KRA is urging all stakeholders to pre-lodge all documents, complete payments, and clear urgent cargo before the downtime.
Additionally, the rescheduled maintenance will start at 4 am and end by 11 am on April 12, 2026. During this time, the iCMS system will not process new declarations or cargo clearance requests at the Port of Mombasa.
For traders handling perishable and time-sensitive goods, KRA emphasises that they will receive top priority, urging businesses to plan to prevent spoilage or delivery delays.
The tax authority clarifies that the upcoming system maintenance is not due to any malfunction or error but is an upgrade designed to enhance service delivery. This process is expected to bring several benefits.
According to KRA, the maintenance will improve system performance, enabling faster processing for all users. It will also increase stability and reliability, reducing customer complaints and supporting smoother daily trade operations nationwide.
Additionally, the upgrade will strengthen system security, minimising the risk of technical issues and providing a safer platform for all stakeholders. KRA notes that these improvements will make future maintenance easier and less disruptive.
The Port of Mombasa manages around 124,520 metric tonnes of cargo each day, totalling approximately 871,640 metric tonnes weekly. In light of this, KRA emphasises that upgrading the system is essential.
Acknowledging the potential disruptions, KRA apologises for any inconvenience this may cause and expresses gratitude to stakeholders for their understanding. The agency remains dedicated to facilitating trade and ensuring that, once maintenance is complete, the system is reliable, efficient, and easy to use.
“KRA regrets any inconvenience caused by this change of schedule and appreciates the continued cooperation of all stakeholders as we enhance service delivery,” KRA said.