NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 2 – The Government has directed the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to cut general consolidated cargo charges by Sh500,000 to Sh2 million after President William Ruto met small traders at State House today.
However, the new charges will not apply to ready-made garments, footwear and fabrics, whose charges will remain unchanged. The newly negotiated rates for air cargo will also remain in effect.
The move comes days after traders in Kamukunji, Gikomba and Nyamakima closed their businesses and demonstrated in Nairobi over the Government’s revised customs valuation framework.
KRA had raised the minimum customs benchmark for a consolidated 40-foot container from Sh2.5 million to Sh3.2 million effective August 20, a move the authority said was intended to address under-declaration and undervaluation of imports.
Traders argued that the higher benchmark would increase their costs and erode already thin margins.
KRA has maintained that the Sh3.2 million figure is a risk-management reference rather than a fixed tax applicable to every container, with traders able to seek verification based on the actual value and classification of their goods.
