{
  "id": 5779840,
  "title": "KRA announces scheduled maintenance affecting integrated customs management system",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/05/kra-announces-scheduled-maintenance-affecting-integrated-customs",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-05T13:50:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "People Daily Kenya",
    "slug": "people-daily-kenya",
    "url": "https://peopledaily.digital/business/kra-announces-scheduled-maintenance-affecting-integrated-customs-management-system"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has informed users that its Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS) will undergo scheduled maintenance on Sunday, September 6, 2026. The maintenance is expected to commence at 6:00 a.m. and conclude at 6:00 p.m., during which the system's accessibility may be impacted. KRA has issued a notice on Saturday, September 5, 2026, to alert users of this planned maintenance. They apologize for any inconvenience that may arise due to the scheduled downtime. The Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS) is a vital electronic platform utilized by KRA to manage and automate customs processes in Kenya. It consolidates customs cargo clearance procedures onto a single platform, replacing multiple systems and minimizing the need for manual interventions. The system was introduced with the aim of streamlining customs operations, expediting the clearance of goods, and enhancing efficiency. Various stakeholders in international trade, such as importers, exporters, clearing and forwarding agents, shipping lines, cargo handlers, and government agencies, rely on iCMS to electronically process customs declarations and other import and export documentation. The system enables the handling of customs-related transactions electronically, including the submission and processing of cargo declarations. It also facilitates the exchange of information between KRA and other systems and agencies involved in trade facilitation, thereby reducing repetitive procedures, automating manual processes, and expediting the movement and clearance of cargo. Importers and exporters are particularly reliant on iCMS, as delays or interruptions in its operation can significantly affect the processing and clearance of goods entering or leaving the country. Moreover, KRA has integrated iCMS with other government systems. Since May 2026, validated export information processed through iCMS has been integrated with VAT return information in iTax. This integration allows eligible export values to be automatically prefilled in VAT returns, further enhancing the efficiency of the customs management process.",
  "summary": "The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced scheduled maintenance of its Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS) on Sunday, September 6, 2026. According to a notice issued to users on Saturday, September 5, 2026, the maintenance will run from 6:00 a.m to 6:00 p.m., during which access to the system may be affected. “Please be advised […]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}