The Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade) and the Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) have announced that Maritime Single Window clearance through the National Electronic Single Window System (NESWS) will resume from November 17, 2026. The resumption follows system enhancements that link maritime traffic data with KRA’s customs system. The changes aim to remove duplicate submissions and speed up clearance.
The joint notice, signed by KenTrade and KMA, applies to all shipping agents and other maritime stakeholders. It says clearance through the Maritime Single Window will restart after a pause, once the system changes are in place. Shipping agents must then resume submitting and processing the relevant maritime declarations through the system, following the established procedures.
The core of the change is a data link between two systems. KenTrade, working with the Kenya Revenue Authority, has completed enhancements that allow Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL) data to be exchanged between the NESWS and KRA’s Integrated Customs Management System, known as iCMS. Under the old arrangement, agents often had to submit the same information more than once.
The integration is designed to end that duplication. Once the same data flows automatically between the two systems, agents should not need to enter covered information separately for each agency. The notice says the enhancements are intended to streamline information exchange and improve maritime clearance efficiency.
The shipping industry will need to prepare before the system returns. The notice tells agents to make sure their designated staff have active system access and understand the submission and processing procedures. Problems with access or technical faults should be reported promptly to KenTrade through its established support channels.
The timing of the notice has created a small inconsistency. The text says clearance will resume with effect from November 17, 2026, but the header gives an effective date of November 18, 2026. Agents and freight forwarders should confirm the exact date with KenTrade before planning shipments around the restart.
The move fits a wider push to digitise Kenya’s trade and port processes. KenTrade and KMA say they remain committed to improving the efficiency, transparency and digitalisation of maritime processes through the NESWS. Faster and more reliable clearance can reduce delays and costs for importers and exporters who depend on the port.
Stakeholders will be watching the first days after the restart. Any teething problems, such as access issues or delays in processing declarations, will show how well the integrated system performs under normal volumes. Clearance times reported over the coming weeks will indicate whether the duplicate-submission fix delivers the efficiency gains the agencies expect.
