The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced an upgrade to its cargo monitoring system, introducing user-owned electronic seals to enhance security and trade efficiency. This update integrates with the East African Community through the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS).
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced a significant upgrade to its cargo monitoring system, shifting from tamper-proof seals to multi-vendor, user-owned electronic seals suitable for dry cargo (e-seals) and wet cargo (e-fuel). This system has evolved from physical Customs escorts to electronic seals, and now to user-owned versions.
"Under this system, export and transit cargo moving through Kenya is fitted with electronic seals and monitored centrally. RECTS has significantly reduced cargo clearance times, enhanced cargo security, and improved accountability in transit operations," KRA stated.
Electronic seals are digital devices attached to containers, trucks, or tankers, offering tamper-proof security, real-time monitoring, and an auditable record of cargo movements. When connected to RECTS, each seal sends its location and status to a central platform, enabling Customs to track goods from origin to destination. Any tampering attempt triggers an immediate alert, ensuring accountability and deterring theft or smuggling.
KRA's integration with the East African Community (EAC) seeks to harmonize cargo tracking across borders, boost trade efficiency, cut delays at regional entry and exit points, and reinforce customs compliance. To involve stakeholders, KRA has invited the public and electronic seal vendors to a virtual sensitization and engagement meeting on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. Requests for the meeting link, petitions, or memoranda can be submitted via email or delivered physically to the Commissioner of Customs and Border Control within two weeks of the notice.
Detailed terms, technical specifications, and the operational framework for the new system are available on the KRA website. This follows the launch of a new digital platform by the governments of Kenya and the UK to modernize border operations and simplify trade. The eCUSTOMS app enables faster, paperless customs declarations for traders, transporters, and passengers, reducing waiting times and truck queues at border posts. Under the system, small-scale traders can self-declare cargo, passengers can pre-declare baggage, and transporters can digitally manage empty truck declarations and toll payments. Overall, the platform is expected to improve efficiency, enhance transparency, and lower operational costs by tackling long-standing delays and technical bottlenecks hindering goods movement across the Kenya-Uganda border.