How to Become a Licensed Clearing Agent in Kenya
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The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) licenses customs clearing agents. Registering a clearing and forwarding company does not, on its own, authorise it to operate as a licensed customs agent.
KRA identifies section 145 of the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004 and regulations 149–152 of the East African Community Customs Management Regulations, 2010 as the relevant licensing provisions.
Requirements for a new licence
KRA’s published checklist includes:
- Completed Form C20 and the prescribed bio-data form.
- Current company registration particulars, including CR12.
- Tax Compliance Certificates and PIN certificates for the company and all directors.
- National ID or passport copies for all directors.
- Recent passport photographs of directors, certified by a notary public or Commissioner of Oaths.
- Certificates of good conduct for all directors.
- Bank letters confirming accounts for the company and the directors.
- KIFWA membership or affiliation certificate for the application year.
- An established office, its physical location, and a valid lease, tenancy agreement or title deed.
- Memorandum and Articles of Association, where applicable, showing the clearing and forwarding business.
- Audited accounts for the last three years, where applicable.
- Bonds Management Unit and Debt Management Unit clearance, where applicable.
- Payment of the USD 50 application fee.
Use the current KRA checklist and application notice: additional or cycle-specific requirements may apply.
How to apply
- Read KRA’s current new-application requirements and confirm the application window and submission procedure with its licensing office.
- Complete Form C20 and the bio-data form, and assemble the supporting documents.
- Pay the application fee through KRA’s prescribed process and submit as directed. Do not treat a renewal window as an invitation for new applications.
- Complete any verification, vetting or other requirements communicated by KRA.
- If approved by the Commissioner for Customs and Border Control, fulfil the conditions for issuance.
KRA lists these additional approval-stage requirements:
- Annual licence fee: USD 400.
- Execution of a CB11 bond for USD 5,000.
- iCMS access fee: KSh 15,000.
- Training for access to iCMS.
The bond amount is a security requirement, not simply another application fee.
How to renew
Ordinary licences expire on 31 December each year. Authorised Economic Operator licences have a three-year validity period.
For the 2027 renewal cycle, KRA required applications through iCMS by 31 October 2026. Its notice lists Form C20, current 2026 CR12/CR13, the company’s valid Tax Compliance Certificate, bond and debt clearance, previous C21 licence and KIFWA clearance for the application year.
Warning: As at 3 November 2026, the stated 2027 renewal deadline has passed. Contact KRA for instructions if you missed it; do not assume late applications are accepted.
The notice gives the licensing office email as agentslicensing@kra.go.ke. KRA checks compliance and outstanding matters before recommending renewal.
