The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has issued a final call to transporters operating vehicles under customs control to renew their licenses before the 31 October 2025 deadline.

The notice affects operators of vehicles conveying transit goods (C28) and other goods under customs control (C40), whose current licenses are set to expire on December 31, 2025.

The licensing process is a critical component of Kenya’s customs and border control framework, ensuring that vehicles involved in the movement of sensitive or high-risk goods are properly documented and monitored.

The renewal process is now open, and KRA has warned that non-compliance will attract legal penalties, operational disruptions, and possible vehicle impoundment.

To renew a C28 or C40 license, applicants must submit the following:

Applications must be submitted physically at any of the following KRA Customs Regional Offices:

Each successful application will attract a licensing fee equivalent to USD 200, payable in Kenya shillings at the prevailing exchange rate.

Key Penalties for Non-Compliance

Fines and Prosecution

Transporters found operating without valid C28 or C40 licences may face:

Vehicle Impoundment

KRA Customs officers are authorised to:

Suspension of Operational Privileges

Non-compliant operators may be:

Loss of Industry Standing

Transporters who fail to comply may also face:

For assistance, KRA has provided the following contact channels:

The C28 and C40 vehicle licensing framework is a strategic enforcement tool for the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), designed to safeguard the integrity of the country’s customs and trade systems.

Vehicles transporting goods under customs control, especially transit cargo, pose a high risk for tax evasion, under-declaration of goods, and diversion of cargo into the domestic market.

By licensing these vehicles, KRA ensures that only vetted and traceable operators are allowed to move sensitive goods, reducing leakages in the tax system.

The licensing framework is anchored in the East African Community Customs Management Act (2004) and its accompanying regulations.

These laws empower KRA to:

The C28 and C40 licences serve as a compliance filter, ensuring that only operators who meet legal and procedural standards are allowed to participate in customs-controlled logistics.

Kenya plays a pivotal role in East Africa’s logistics ecosystem, serving as a gateway for goods destined for Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and beyond.

The C28 and C40 licensing system supports harmonized customs procedures across the region, secure and predictable cargo movement, and trust and cooperation with regional customs authorities.

The licensing process also enables KRA to build and maintain a centralized database of all vehicles operating under customs control.

This data is essential for risk profiling, targeted inspections, and intelligence-led enforcement.

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