Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has finalized its plans to enhance trade facilitation and fast-track cargo clearance at the New Lamu Port.
The KRA office in Lamu has been equipped with the necessary infrastructure including connectivity to access all the Customs, KenTrade and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) systems.
The Authority has also deployed a team of staff at the Lamu Port that cleared the first two vessels yesterday- Cap-Carmel and Mv Seago Bremerhaven owned by Maersk Shipping line.
The two vessels were accorded preferential Pre-Arrival Clearance through the new Integrated Customs Management system (iCMS) which is already installed at the Lamu Port.
KRA has also put in place elaborate risk management measures to discourage illicit trade through the new port. This will ensure that only legitimate trade is facilitated through the facility.
To facilitate safe evacuation of transit cargo to Ethiopia and South Sudan, the Authority has completed the geo-fencing of the twin Corridors of the Lamu – Garsen – Witu – Hola – Garrissa – Modika – Modogashe – Isiolo -Moyale and Lamu – Garsen – Witu – Hola – Garissa – Thika – Isiolo – Moyale.
Similarly, the Authority has geo-fenced Lamu-Mombasa corridor to facilitate transshipment cargo. These corridors are important arteries that will link the Northern Corridor to South Sudan.
A team from KRA’s Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking (RECTS) unit has already been deployed at the Port to ensure that all trucks transporting the cargo through the Port are armed with seals to track and monitor all transit/transhipment cargo through the Port of Lamu.
Additionally, a mobile scanner has been deployed at the facility to promote non-intrusive inspection of all the goods being imported through Lamu Port.
The Authority is committed to ensure that cargo clearance is undertaken in a swift, efficient and professional in order to reduce the cost of doing business. This is anticipated to promote the economic development of the country.
