The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced the rollout of a new digital licensing system for selected customs-controlled vehicles, with the changes taking effect from Wednesday, July 1.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 30, the tax authority said applications for Transit Goods (C28) licences and Vehicles/Vessels Conveying Other Goods Under Customs Control (C40) licences will now be processed electronically through the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS) and the Integrated Customs Management System (ICMS).
Under the new framework, applicants will first be required to register on the RECTS platform before submitting their licence applications online.
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA). Photo: Courtesy.
Applicants must provide several supporting documents, including a motor vehicle logbook, a valid insurance certificate, a COMESA Yellow Card or equivalent insurance cover for foreign-registered vehicles, and a photograph of the truck and trailer showing the registration numbers.
Successful applicants will receive their licences electronically via their registered email addresses after paying the required fees.
Each licence will include a QR code for verification.
For first-time applicants without RECTS profiles, KRA has directed them to register through the Cargo Monitoring Unit at Times Tower, by email, or at designated Rapid Response Units located in Mazeras, Taru, Voi, Emali, Sameer, Naivasha, Nakuru, Kericho, Eldoret, Bungoma, Kisumu, Kitale, Kainuk, Lodwar, Kakuma, and Marsabit.
According to the authority, the registration centres will assist applicants in creating RECTS profiles before they can access the online licensing system.
KRA clarified that the digital process applies to all new licence applications submitted in 2026, as well as licence renewal applications from 2027 onwards.
The authority also noted that all applications will undergo an internal verification process and that submission of an application does not automatically guarantee approval.
Manual licences issued before the introduction of the digital system will remain valid until December 31, 2026, allowing existing licence holders time to transition to the electronic platform.
KRA further reminded taxpayers to ensure payments are correctly made and validated through the appropriate KRA accounts, warning that it will not be responsible for payments that are not received, credited, or successfully validated.
