Traders will not be able to access the Kenya Revenue Authority's (KRA) Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS) after the taxman announced that it will be conducting scheduled maintenance.
The maintenance is scheduled for Sunday, July 13, and will temporarily shut down major operations. The upgrade is aimed at improving the system’s performance and efficiency.
In an official notice dated Saturday, July 12, KRA apologised for any inconvenience the temporary disruption may cause.
"Please be advised that there will be scheduled maintenance of iCMS from Sunday, July 13, 2025, 04:00 am to Sunday, July 13, 2025, 10:00 am. We regret any inconvenience caused,” the notice read in part.
iCMS is KRA’s digital system for managing all customs-related processes in Kenya.
It allows traders, shipping lines, clearing agents, and other stakeholders to lodge import and export declarations, track consignments, and process duties and taxes in real time.
The system plays a key role in streamlining trade and safeguarding Kenya’s borders against illicit goods.
The scheduled maintenance will temporarily halt access to essential services such as cargo clearance, duty payment processing, and consignment tracking.
This means that importers and exporters will not be able to submit documentation or receive clearance during the six-hour downtime.
iCMS was established in 2019, replacing the legacy Simba system, to offer a more coordinated, streamlined, transparent, and efficient customs experience.
The maintenance comes days after the taxman announced it had surpassed its revenue collection target for the 2024/25 financial year, collecting Ksh2.571 trillion against a target of Ksh2.555 trillion, marking 6.8 per cent growth.
KRA attributed the improved performance to improved digital strategies, including the use of Artificial Intelligence in cargo scanning and the simplification of processes such as VAT return filing.
