Updated: 6 November 2026 | KRA notice: 22 October 2026
Shipping goods from China to Kenya? Check the insurer and digital certificate status before customs filing—not just whether insurance has been purchased.
In its 22 October public notice, the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) set 1 November 2026 as the enforcement date for mandatory Digital Marine Cargo Insurance (MCI), working with the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA).1
What Does the Notice Require?
Incoming consignments must have valid marine cargo insurance issued by an IRA-licensed insurer. KRA states that shipments failing the requirements will be blocked from customs clearance.1
The insurance certificate must be processed through the Digital MCI System and successfully transmitted to KRA’s Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS) before the customs declaration is lodged. CMA CGM reiterated this requirement in its 30 October customer advisory.2
An emailed policy or payment receipt is not a substitute for completing the required digital transmission.
What Should China–Kenya Shippers Do Now?
Confirm responsibility early. Agree with the importer and Kenyan clearing agent who will arrange the insurance and check the certificate’s customs-system status. Verify the insurer’s IRA licensing rather than relying solely on a supplier’s assurance that the cargo is insured.
Prepare the shipment documents. Have the Import Declaration Form (IDF), commercial invoice and bill of lading or relevant shipment reference ready. CMA CGM lists these documents for applications through its insurance arrangement; your chosen insurer may request additional information.2
Check digital completion before filing. Follow the applicable insurer process and IRA’s digital MCI acquisition guidance. Ask the clearing agent to verify the certificate record before lodging the customs declaration.32
Treat insurance readiness as a pre-clearance checkpoint alongside the shipping documents, rather than something to resolve after a filing problem.
FAQ
Does insurance arranged by the supplier automatically satisfy the rule?
Do not assume so. Ask the Kenyan clearing agent to verify the actual insurer’s licensing and the digital certificate status. Coordinate with the supplier and insurer before purchasing additional cover to avoid unnecessary duplication.12
Is this another freight surcharge?
No. This notice concerns insurance compliance, not a carrier freight surcharge. It does not set a universal premium. Request the applicable premium, coverage terms and exclusions from the insurer.1
Before Your Next Shipment
Make insurer licensing, document readiness and digital confirmation part of your shipment checklist.
Planning cargo from China to Kenya? Contact Deeplinker with your cargo details, pickup location and destination to discuss transport and documentation coordination. Confirm insurance coverage and shipment-specific clearance requirements with the licensed insurer and Kenyan clearing agent.
References
Kenya Revenue Authority, [Enforcement of Marine Cargo Insurance](https://www.kra.go.ke/news-center/public-notices/2402-enforcement-of-marine-cargo-insurance), 22 October 2026. ↩
CMA CGM Kenya, [Mandatory Digital Marine Cargo Insurance Requirement](https://www.cma-cgm.com/local/kenya/news/244/mandatory-digital-marine-cargo-insurance-mci-requirement-kenya), 30 October 2026. ↩
Insurance Regulatory Authority, [Procedure for Digital Marine Cargo Insurance Acquisition](https://www.ira.go.ke/1367/procedure-for-digital-marine-cargo-insurance-mci-acquisition/), 3 June 2026. Cited for procedural guidance; the enforcement date above follows KRA’s later notice. ↩
