On 21 September 2026, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) issued a public notice announcing the opening of the application window for the renewal of Customs Agents Licences for the year 2027. The notice, published under the Public Notices section of the KRA News Centre, outlines the eligibility criteria, required documentation, and the deadline for submission. This annual renewal is mandatory for all licensed customs agents operating in Kenya, ensuring continued compliance with the East African Community Customs Management Act and the Kenya Customs Regulations. The KRA emphasized that failure to renew within the stipulated period will result in the licence lapsing, thereby prohibiting the agent from transacting customs business. The authority also highlighted that the renewal process has been fully digitized, requiring agents to use the iTax portal for application submission, fee payment, and status tracking.
Key Takeaways
- Mandatory Renewal Window and Deadline: The notice specifies the exact dates for the renewal window, running from 1 October 2026 to 30 November 2026, with a hard deadline of 30 November 2026. Agents must submit completed application forms, certified copies of their current licence, valid tax compliance certificates, and proof of payment of the prescribed renewal fee (KES 20,000) through the iTax portal. Late submissions attract a penalty of 50% of the renewal fee.
- Enhanced Compliance Requirements: For the 2027 cycle, KRA has introduced stricter vetting, including verification of the agent’s physical office premises, staff qualifications (minimum of two certified customs clerks), and a clean disciplinary record over the past licence period. Agents with outstanding tax obligations, unresolved customs disputes, or pending court cases related to customs offences will be denied renewal until matters are fully resolved.
- Digital Submission and Tracking: All applications must be lodged electronically via the KRA Customs Portal (customs.kra.go.ke), with real-time tracking of application status. The authority has also provided a dedicated helpdesk (email: customs.licensing@kra.go.ke, phone: +254 20 4999 999) and published a step-by-step user guide to assist agents in navigating the new online renewal workflow. Agents are advised to ensure their iTax profiles are updated before initiating the renewal.
Disclaimer: This article is compiled and summarized by the AI based on publicly available information and is for general information purposes only. It does not constitute any form of formal tax advice, legal opinion, or basis for performance. Please consult a qualified professional tax advisor or legal counsel for tax advice.
Source: Read Official Announcement