Kenya ACD Becomes Mandatory on 3 August 2026: File Before Your Vessel Loads

Kenya ACD Becomes Mandatory on 3 August 2026

From 3 August 2026, the Kenya Revenue Authority’s Advance Cargo Declaration (ACD) platform goes live for containerized cargo. Every shipment unloaded at a Kenyan port must carry a validated ACD reference on the Bill of Lading before the vessel loads — including cargo transiting onward to Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, the DRC and beyond. This is the single action to get right.

As the authorized agent for Kenya ACD, this is our reading of the mandate — and where we expect the first filings to go wrong.

What changes on 3 August

• The ACD reference code must be obtained at the port of loading and endorsed on the Bill of Lading before the shipment proceeds to Kenya.
• The requirement covers all containerized cargo unloaded at a Kenyan port, regardless of final destination — transit cargo is not exempt.
• One validated ACD is required per Bill of Lading; an amendment fee applies to changes made after validation.
• The declaration should be validated at least five days before the vessel arrives at Mombasa.

From the filing desk: why a new mandate is the riskiest moment

A launch date is exactly when the rejection rate spikes. Across 66,402 real ECTN and ACD filings we have processed for Sudan, Djibouti and Somalia, first-time filers are rejected 6–14× more often than experienced ones — and on a brand-new platform, everyone is a first-time filer. The failure isn’t the platform; it’s the details that only show up at volume: a draft Bill of Lading that never gets reconciled to the final BL, an insurance value missing on CIF cargo, freight folded into the goods value, a vessel or voyage number that doesn’t match.

On an established route a rejection costs you time. On a new mandate with a hard 3 August start, a rejection can mean the ACD reference isn’t on the Bill of Lading when the vessel loads — and that means a missed cut-off, demurrage, or cargo held on arrival at Mombasa. The cost is the deadline, not the fee.

What to file

Send clear PDF copies of:

• Bill of Lading (a draft is fine to start; the final BL must carry the ACD reference)
• Commercial Invoice
• Freight Invoice
• Export Declaration

Details must be consistent across every document — shipper, consignee, cargo description, quantities, weight, value, freight, ports, vessel, and container/HS codes.

Don’t learn on your first Kenya shipment

The mistakes above are avoidable — if you know to look for them before you submit, not after your vessel has sailed. Send your documents to sck@scktr.com and we’ll pre-screen them against exactly this list before the declaration is filed.

• Kenya ACD certificate: documents, process and timeline →
• What 66,402 ECTN & ACD filings show about who gets rejected →

FAQ

When does the Kenya ACD become mandatory? The Kenya Revenue Authority’s ACD platform for containerized cargo launches on 3 August 2026. From that date, cargo unloaded at a Kenyan port must be covered by a validated ACD.

Does the ACD apply to transit cargo? Yes. Every shipment unloaded at a Kenyan port must be covered, regardless of its final destination — including cargo moving onward to landlocked neighbours.

Can I start with a draft Bill of Lading? Yes. The application can be prepared on a draft BL, but the issued ACD reference must appear on the final carrier-issued Bill of Lading before the shipment proceeds to Kenya.

Who is responsible for obtaining the Kenya ACD? The shipper, exporter or their authorized agent obtains it at the port of loading and endorses the reference on the Bill of Lading.

Published 18 July 2026 by SCK Representation, authorized agent for Kenya ACD. Regulations are subject to change; confirm the latest requirements with our team before loading.