The Kenya Revenue Authority has given traders one month to clear goods that have remained uncollected at the Inland Container Depot in Nairobi, warning that any items not removed within the set period will be treated as abandoned and sold through a public auction.
In a notice published in the Kenya Gazette, the authority said importers and consignees with overstayed cargo must enter and remove their goods from the depot within 30 days.
If they fail to do so, the items will be auctioned between November 10 and 14, 2025, through an online bidding process on KRA’s official portal.
“Pursuant to the provisions of Section 42 of the East African Community Customs Management Act 2004 as amended (EACCMA 2004), notice is given that unless the under-mentioned goods are entered and removed from the custody of the Customs Warehouse Keeper, Inland Container Depot, Nairobi, within thirty (30) days of this notice,” the notice read in part.
The authority added that physical viewing of the goods will be conducted on November 6 and 7, 2025, during working hours at the locations listed in the notice. This will allow potential buyers to inspect the items ahead of the auction.
Among the goods lined up for sale are chocolate boxes, cigarettes, wall panels, molasses, padlocks, lubricants, wines, clothes, thermal machines, spare parts and bed sheets, among others.
The items are packed in containers of various sizes, ranging from 20 to 40 feet, and are currently stored at the Nairobi Inland Container Depot.
According to George Aduwi, Chief Manager at the Nairobi Inland Container Depot, some of the cargo has been lying at the facility since April this year.
Aduwi explained that goods are often left at container depots when importers or consignees fail to settle customs duties or taxes, leading to the goods being detained until all fees are paid.
He added that logistical issues such as delays in transportation or a shortage of trucks to move goods from the depot also contribute to cargo overstaying.