Kenya’s trade ecosystem is bracing for a brief period of adjustment as stakeholders prepare for changes that will temporarily alter how key customs processes are accessed.
Importers, exporters, clearing agents and logistics firms have been advised to plan ahead to avoid disruptions, especially for time sensitive transactions.
While operations will not grind to a complete halt, users have been urged to familiarise themselves with alternative arrangements during the affected period.
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced that its Integrated Customs Management System (ICMS) will undergo major scheduled maintenance from Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 6pm to Monday, February 9, 2026, at 6am.
During this period, the system will be unavailable, affecting the processing of customs documentation and related online services.
In a statement, KRA said the planned maintenance is aimed at improving system stability, enhancing security features and optimising performance to support efficient customs operations.
The authority noted that the upgrade is part of ongoing efforts to modernise revenue collection and facilitate seamless cross border trade.
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The downtime will affect services such as cargo clearance, declaration submissions, amendments, payments and approvals processed through ICMS. KRA advised traders, clearing and forwarding agents, and other system users to submit urgent entries and complete transactions before the maintenance window begins.
To minimise disruption, KRA encouraged stakeholders to plan shipments accordingly and liaise with relevant officers for guidance on exceptional cases.
The authority also indicated that manual or alternative procedures would be communicated where necessary to ensure continuity of essential operations, particularly for critical goods.
ICMS is a core platform in Kenya’s customs environment, integrating processes across ports, border points and inland container depots.
Since its rollout, the system has played a central role in streamlining cargo clearance, improving transparency and reducing turnaround times for imports and exports.
KRA reaffirmed its commitment to keeping stakeholders informed and ensuring the system is restored promptly after the maintenance is completed.
The authority added that normal services are expected to resume immediately after the upgrade, with users advised to report any issues encountered once the system is back online.
The announcement comes as Kenya continues to push for digital transformation in public service delivery, with system upgrades increasingly viewed as critical to supporting trade facilitation and economic growth.
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