KRA starts multi-vendor electronic cargo seal rollout in Kenya; 15 vendors approved

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) began rolling out a Multi-Vendor User-Owned Electronic Seals Framework on 27 October 2026, according to a press release signed by the Commissioner, Customs and Border Control. Under it, the electronic seals used to track cargo under customs control are owned and managed by vendors or users instead of being supplied by one contractor.

Since 2017, KRA had relied on a single vendor to supply and manage the devices. Seals used under the new framework must be integrated with the East African Community (EAC) Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS), and KRA keeps its oversight role to make sure Customs requirements are met.

The release says the change is meant to deal with shortages of seals at tagging points and with ageing devices. KRA expects it to cut queues and delays in cargo processing, reduce unnecessary tracking alerts and the enforcement interruptions that follow them, and speed up clearance and turnaround times.

A KRA public notice dated 11 September 2026 said the authority had approved 15 vendors to provide electronic monitoring and tracking of goods under customs control. KRA's own RECTS seals were to be phased out gradually up to 26 October 2026. After that, the notice said, goods under customs control would be tracked only with devices supplied by approved vendors.

Users may pick any approved vendor, under private commercial agreements between the two. The Kenyan news site Kenyans.co.ke reported on 11 September that importers, exporters, clearing and forwarding agents, transporters and bonded warehouse operators can choose their vendor, and that the change covers electronic seals for dry cargo and e-fuel seals for wet cargo.

The list of approved vendors is on the KRA website. It is also available at the Cargo Monitoring Unit, 13th Floor, Times Tower, Haile Selassie Avenue, at any Customs office, or by email to [email protected].

KRA first invited the public and seal vendors to comment on the move to a multi-vendor, user-owned model in a notice dated 30 January 2026. A virtual public engagement meeting was scheduled for 4 February 2026.