Traders wait for online clearance system to go live

Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade) has announced it will now be possible for importers and exporters to file the taxes and other payments through the banks, using its electronic platform.

The entire software is also inter-linked to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) iTax System, for purposes of speedy payment of taxes.

In a public notice, the agency lists KRA, Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Services, Kenya Bureau of Standards, Port Health, Department of Veterinary Services, Horticultural Crop development Authority and Pharmacy and Poisons Board as Government units that have already hooked up to the single window platform.

The system also allows importers and exporters to submit applications for import declaration forms as well as import or export permits, making their payments to some 24 banks- also connected to KRA iTax system.

“We are still to go live on a full scale due to some modules that are still in the process of being integrated to the KenTrade platform. We have been rolling out in phases and the process is still ongoing,” Ann Odero, Kentrade’s Corporate Communications Manager told The Standard on phone yesterday.

A spot check with clearing agents-principal users of the system revealed frustration over delays in fully setting up the platform.

“What we know is that only two modules are working, the shipping agents module and the Import Declaration Form application module, only still working offline.

The rest of the eight modules that are supposed to be linked to the electronic platform are still offline,” said William Ojonyo, Managing Director-Keynote Logistics-a clearing and forwarding firm.

However, Managing Director Maritime freight Limited P.J. Shah said processing of entries for imports could go live in the August.