Kenya Revenue Authority has implemented the following Trading Across Borders reforms aimed at enhancing compliance by reducing the time and cost of documentary and border compliance. This has improved the overall business environment in the country. 

1. Facilitate Trading Across Borders program

Implementation of a Trading Across Borders facilitative framework for elimination of Head Verification Officer (HVO) /Verification Officer(VO) processes for tea exports through the port of Mombasa. This framework, similar to the Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) program, is accorded to direct exports of tea declared as EX1 in the integrated Customs Management System (iCMS) and NOT to any other regime.

1. Elimination of Witnessing of stuffing for tea, coffee, spices and herbs

Elimination of customs officers witnessing   stuffing of direct exports of tea, coffee, spices and herbs through the port of Mombasa. The officers no longer witness the stuffing of these direct exports. Exports cleared under this reform are scanned upon entry at the port. The exporters and clearing agents are responsible and accountable for the accuracy of the declarations, and compliance to Customs and relevant Laws on clearing of the exports.

1. Implementation of Green Channel cargo processing

The roll out of a fast tracked Customs clearance known as Green Channel for clearance of low risk items for exports such as tea, coffee, spices and herbs and imports of brand new motor vehicle spare parts classified under Tariff Heading 8708, cleared through Sameer Park, Inland Container Depot, Nairobi and the port of Mombasa. This has led to reduction in clearance bottle-necks and facilitated faster export and import processing.

1. Elimination of presentation of manual folders

KRA has rolled out paperless clearance of cargo whereby Customs performs paperless examination, approval and release of inbound and outbound goods using iCMS. This is a paradigm shift from having to go through the clearance formalities on the strength of manual folders and supporting documents submitted by the clearing agents and importers. In stations where iCMS is not yet fully implemented, all required documents are attached in Simba for further processing. Any communication to Customs is done through the customs systems or through the applicable group mails.

1. Reduction in the rate of verification

The roll out of risk-based verification at the port of Mombasa and Inland Container Depot, Nairobi. Only consignments that have been flagged by the scanners undergo verification.