Kenya to seek int'l cooperation to boost customs revenue

Kenya will seek international collaboration in order to boost customs revenue collection, officials said on Thursday.

Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Commissioner General John Njiraini told a media briefing in Nairobi that Nairobi is already cooperating with Britain, the U.S. and China in the area of customs administration.

"The cooperation will enhance customs revenue through enhanced monitoring and surveillance at border points so that all imports are charged the correct duty," Njiraini said during celebrations to mark the International Customs Day.

Through cooperation with Britain, the KRA has been able to intercept imported luxury vehicles that were disguised as cheap goods in order to escape paying duty.

China has already donated three scanners that will be installed at the Port of Mombasa in order to enhance surveillance at the points of entry.

"The Chinese are very strong supporters of the customs administration in Kenya," Njiraini said.

The tax agency is also cooperating with the East African Community (EAC) member states in the area of tax administration under the EAC single Customs territory.

The tax agency also plans to roll out the implementation of the Integrated Customs Management System this year.

According to KRA, the system will replace the current Customs system in order to enhance the ever changing business environment in Customs and Border Control.

Njiraini said that new system will have more features and assist in areas like faster cargo clearance which will reduce the cost of doing business in Kenya. Endit