Kenya the latest to unveil tighter rules for cargo manifests

Photo: Dreamstime.com More countries are streamlining and strengthening their cargo manifest rules to contain misdeclaration of goods and other trade illegalities. The latest push comes from Kenya; since 1 August, the East African nation has a new advance cargo declaration (ACD) platform for containerised imports. Broadly, the new regulatory regime requires shippers to obtain an ACD reference code before cargo is loaded, and that data must be included in the corresponding bill of lading. “Shippers, exporters and freight forwarders are requested to ensure that the necessary arrangements are made to secure the ACD reference code in advance of loading to avoid delays, cargo holds, or other potential compliance-related disruptions,” CMA CGM told Indian customers. “Missing or incorrect ACD details at the discharge port may result in delayed customs clearance, additional inspections, non-discharge of cargo, or potential legal consequences at destination, including risk of financial penalties and fines borne by the customer,” warned the French carrier. And Maersk added to its customers that the onus of compliance burden cut right across supply chain stakeholders, including shippers, carriers, and various freight intermediaries. Additionally, air cargo players like DHL have emphasised the significance of the evolving regulations. It said: “The ACD is part of a bigger shift. “Alongside the Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS), the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System (RECTS), and the Kenya TradeNet Single Window, it signals Kenya’s drive to modernise customs.” Kenya’s is the latest example of a wave of stringent trade regulations taking hold through the container supply chain landscape, adding to operational challenges for carriers and cargo owners as the industry navigates the increasingly volatile trade environment. Persian Gulf governments have introduced multiple trade reforms in recent years, including a ‘maritime preload cargo information (MPCI)’ rule that mandated that shipping manifests for containerised cargo bound for the UAE were to be done 24 hours before the vessel departed its last port of call.