The Kenya Revenue Authority – Customs and Border Control has officially announced the implementation of the Advance Cargo Declaration system for cargo handled through Kenyan ports.
Mandatory Start Date
Beginning 3 August 2026, the implementation applies according to the Bill of Lading date. Shipments covered by the requirement with a Bill of Lading dated on or after 3 August 2026 must obtain an ACD reference code.
The ACD must be obtained at the port of loading by the shipper, exporter, or freight forwarder. Once issued, the ACD reference code must be added to all applicable Bills of Lading before the cargo proceeds to Kenya.
We offer Kenya ACD certificates for United States .
One might assume that a certificate as crucial as this wouldn’t be overlooked, but surprisingly, people often face penalties for not having this mandatory certificate more frequently than you might think.
What Is a Kenya ACD Certificate?
An ACD Certificate, or Advance Cargo Declaration, is a mandatory loading and pre-arrival cargo document required for shipments unloaded at Kenyan ports.
The Advance Cargo Declaration may also be known internationally as:
- CTN – Cargo Tracking Note
- ECTN – Electronic Cargo Tracking Note
- BSC – Bordereau de Suivi des Cargaisons
- BESC – Bordereau Électronique de Suivi des Cargaisons
The Kenya Revenue Authority officially uses the term Advance Cargo Declaration – ACD.
The declaration provides Kenyan Customs with advance information about the cargo, exporter, importer, vessel, shipping route, containers, freight, and supporting commercial documents before the goods arrive at the destination port.
What are the required documents?
There are 3-4 required documents for the process that you can find in the following:
- Bill of Lading: It is a document that provides information about the exporter, the importer, the weight of the goods, the shipping line, the vessel name, etc.
- Commercial Invoice: It contains details of the goods, the freight cost, the incoterm, and some other charges if there is any, etc.
- Freight Invoice: It is a document only necessary if the freight cost isn’t on the commercial invoice.
- Export Declaration: The customs export document issued or submitted in the country from which the goods are exported.
What Are the Consequences of Not Having a Kenya ACD?
A valid Kenya ACD must be obtained at the port of loading and validated before the vessel arrives at the destination port.
Failure to obtain or validate the declaration may result in:
- Customs clearance delays
- Financial penalties
- Additional storage charges
- Demurrage or detention costs
- Port handling expenses
- Bill of Lading amendment charges
- Cargo rejection at the port of entry
- Disruption to onward transit cargo
- Seizure or confiscation in severe cases
The declaration should therefore be processed while the Bill of Lading is still in draft form and before the cargo proceeds to Kenya.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Kenya ACD Certificate?
Processing time depends on the completeness and accuracy of the submitted documents and the time required for official review.
Applications containing clear, readable, complete, and consistent documents can generally proceed more efficiently. We offer the convenience of delivering draft Kenya ACD certificates within just 24 hours. Our services extend to exporters worldwide.
Does the Kenya ACD Apply to Transit Cargo?
The Kenya ACD must accompany shipments unloaded in Kenya as their final destination.
Must the reference appear on the Bill of Lading?
Yes. The ACD reference code must be added to the Bills of Lading.
Does the ACD replace normal customs clearance?
No. The ACD supports advance cargo processing but does not replace other customs declarations, import permits, taxes, inspections, or clearance procedures.
Who should obtain the ACD?
The ACD must be obtained at the port of loading by the shipper, exporter.
Pricing
Certificate cost depends on the number of Bill of Lading’s and the containers, the country of origin, the port of discharge, etc. This is why we can’t give you an exact price for the CTN. But if you share your shipment’s details with us we can provide you the best charges for your certificate. We offer free quotations.
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