Tired of seal shortages jamming up Mombasa Port and hiking your costs? Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is flipping the script, letting East African traders buy and use their own electronic cargo tracking seals while opening the market to multiple vendors.
This trader-friendly shift ditches KRA’s old single-supplier monopoly, sparking competition that promises cheaper prices and faster cargo clearance for Kenyan and regional businesses eyeing Uganda, Rwanda, and beyond.
“The new model delivers secure, tamper-proof tracking while fixing seal shortages and delays that clog the port,” said KRA Customs Commissioner Lilian Nyawanda.
Previously, traders were stuck with KRA-provided seals only-devices locked onto containers or tankers to track transit cargo in real-time, preventing smuggling and ensuring goods hit their destinations. Shortages fueled massive backlogs, but now you can source your own compliant seals, boosting supply and choice.
It’s a major upgrade to the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS), linking EAC customs for seamless border monitoring. RECTS already slashed clearance times and boosted security by replacing physical escorts with smart seals that alert on tampering.
Under the changes:
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Dry cargo gets standard e-seals.
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Fuel tankers use specialized e-fuel seals.
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Traders and vendors supply devices meeting KRA specs.
KRA expects this to cut border delays, harmonize EAC rules, and supercharge trade efficiency, vital for Ugandan importers dodging Mombasa congestion.
This rolls out alongside Kenya’s digital customs push, like the new KRA-KPA platform tackling paperwork piles—good news for regional supply chains.
