The Customs and Border Control Department, on Friday, March 17, issued a 30-day ultimatum to over 90 companies to clear imported goods from the Nairobi Inland Container Depot in Embakasi, Nairobi.
In a notice published in the National Gazette, the Department warned that the goods would be auctioned should the owners fail to comply.
The goods listed in the notice included six 40 feet containers carrying motorcycles, a container with three vehicles, an Iveco truck, an automatic brush carwash system and a container with 46 tricycles.
Three containers with medical equipment imported by a non-governmental organisation, lentils, eight containers with Indian Basmati rice, sanitary towels, a container with tyres and an assortment of industrial machinery were among those targeted.
Consequently, the customs department announced that an auction will be held on April 20 and invited interested buyers to bid.
Alternatively, they would attend another auction slated for viewing between April 18 and April 19.
“Notice is given that unless the under-mentioned goods are entered and removed from the Customs Warehouse within thirty (30) days from the date of this notice, they will be sold by public auction on April 20, 2023," the notice read in part.
"Interested buyers may view the goods at the Customs Warehouse, ICDE, on April 18, 2023, and April 19, 2023, during office hours.
Other goods listed on the notice include; Stock Pvc Artificial Leather, unmanufactured tobacco, Reverse Osmosis Purifying And Dispensing, fans, Shutter Board Protecting Net, and furniture.
The East African Community Customs Management Act of 2019 stipulates that entered goods should be removed from the discharge port within 21 days.
Failure to clear the goods after the expiry of the 21 days, according to the Act, gives the green light for the customs authority to take over their possession.
In January 2023, the department announced an auction of over 100 motor vehicles held at its warehouses for non-compliance.
