The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced that, from 1 December 2025, all bank guarantees for customs transactions must be issued and processed exclusively through the Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS).
The new directive impacts importers, exporters, clearing agents, and any entity required to provide bank guarantees for customs clearance. The move forms part of KRA’s wider digital transformation initiative, designed to enhance compliance, improve traceability, and curb loopholes associated with manual paperwork.
Bank guarantees, which serve as key risk-management instruments in customs, have historically faced delays, verification challenges, and occasional fraud. By routing them through iCMS, validation becomes centralized, linked directly to customs declarations, and less reliant on paper-based processes.
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For businesses, this transition will require operational adjustments but could also bring efficiency gains. Automating guarantees is expected to shorten turnaround times and improve transparency throughout the clearance process.
Firms will need to align internal workflows with iCMS, while banks and clearing agents must integrate their procedures with the system to avoid disruptions once manual submissions are phased out.
KRA emphasised that the shift aims to enhance transparency and create a more predictable trading environment. The success of the initiative, however, will hinge on the readiness of stakeholders and the system’s capacity to handle increased transaction volumes smoothly.
