The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has issued a 30-day ultimatum to traders with goods lying uncollected at the Inland Container Depot (ICD) in Nairobi.
In a notice published in the gazette notice, KRA warned that the goods, which have overstayed in its custody, will be treated as abandoned if not cleared within the set period.
According to the authority, the traders must enter and remove their goods from the ICD before the expiry of 30 days.
Failure to comply will see the goods disposed of through a public auction to be conducted between November 10 and November 14, 2025.
The auction will take place online through KRA’s official portal, where interested buyers will be able to bid for the items.
''Pursuant to the provisions of Section 42 of the East African Community Customs Management Act 2004 as amended (EACCMA 2004), notice is given that unless the under-mentioned goods are entered and removed from the custody of the Customs Warehouse Keeper, Inland Container Depot, Nairobi, within thirty (30) days of this notice,'' the notice read in part.
KRA further indicated that the goods will be available for physical viewing on November 6 and 7, 2025, during official working hours at the locations specified in the notice.
Among the items that will be auctioned by the taxman are chocolate boxes, cigarettes, wall panels, molasses, padlocks, lubricants, wines, clothes, thermal machines, spare parts, and bed sheets, among others.
Additionally, the goods are in containers of various sizes, ranging from 20 to 40 feet and are available at KRA's Inland Container Depot in Nairobi.
According to KRA's Chief Manager, Inland Container Depot at Nairobi, George Aduwi, some of the goods have overstayed at the facility since April this year.
Meanwhile, one reason of the reasons why goods are often left at container depots is when importers or consignees fail to pay the necessary customs duties or taxes, resulting in the goods being held until the fees are settled.
Additionally, sometimes, importers or recipients may face logistical challenges, such as transportation delays or a lack of available trucks to move the goods from the depot.
