Kenya blocks customs clearance without digital cargo insurance from 1 November

Kenya blocks customs clearance without digital cargo insurance from 1 November

22 October 2026: The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA) will enforce mandatory Digital Marine Cargo Insurance (MCI) from 1 November 2026. Every consignment imported into Kenya must be covered by a valid MCI policy from an IRA-licensed insurer, and the certificate must be processed through the Digital MCI System and transmitted to KRA's iCMS customs platform before the import declaration is lodged. Consignments that do not meet the rule will be blocked from clearance.

Not yet independently verified. The Insurance Regulatory Authority's own guidance page, which KRA links to, returned a bot check to us, so the list of insurers connected to the Digital MCI System is not checked. We will update this when it can be confirmed, and remove this note.

What changes at the border

The requirement itself is not new; KRA's notice of 22 October says it follows earlier notices. What changes on 1 November is enforcement inside the customs system. From that date the clearance workflow checks for the MCI certificate electronically, and a declaration without one cannot proceed. The obligation falls on importers and clearing agents, and it covers all incoming consignments. KRA urges stakeholders to make sure they comply in full before the date to avoid disruption to trade, and the notice gives no grace period after 1 November.

The system link is the weak point

Because the check is a data handoff between two systems, the risk in the first weeks is less about buying insurance than about the certificate arriving in iCMS in time. Since every consignment needs a policy from an IRA-licensed insurer, importers buying on terms where the foreign seller arranges insurance should check how those orders will be covered locally. Clearing agents should confirm that the insurers they work with are connected to the Digital MCI System, and that certificate numbers flow into the declaration without manual re-keying.

Who should act before 1 November

Manufacturers and distributors that import raw materials, components or finished goods, e-commerce sellers bringing in stock by sea, and logistics providers that clear cargo for clients are all affected. Freight forwarding and customs software used in Kenya will need to show the MCI certificate status alongside each declaration, and insurers selling marine cargo cover need their policies to reach the Digital MCI System in time. KRA points to the IRA's guidance page for details on the process and licensed insurers.

Related on TrustList:

• KRA makes consolidators declare each importer behind shared cargo
• CBP proposes bonds and a $1,000 damages floor for low-value imports

Sources

• Kenya Revenue Authority: Enforcement of Marine Cargo Insurance (public notice 2402), 22 October 2026
• Insurance Regulatory Authority: enforcement of local marine cargo insurance for all importers, 22 October 2026