KRA Warns of Impending Auction for Abandoned Goods at Container Depot

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has announced a warning that goods left at the Customs Warehouse Keeper will be auctioned if not collected within 30 days. Goods worth billions of shillings are at stake, and a public auction is scheduled for June 16-20, 2025. Logistical issues and unpaid duties are common reasons for items being abandoned.

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has issued a stern warning to owners regarding their abandoned goods at the Customs Warehouse Keeper located in the Inland Container Depot. As of April 25, individuals have 30 days to retrieve their items, or else they will face public auction proceedings. The authority has indicated these goods may amount to billions of shillings, citing their abandonment status will compel KRA to auction them off by mid-June 2025.

This cautioning came through a Gazette Notice stating, “unless the under-mentioned goods are entered and removed from the custody of the Customs Warehouse Keeper, Inland Container Depot…within thirty (30) days of this notice, they will be treated as abandoned.” The auction will occur online from June 16 to June 20, 2025, raising concerns over unpaid customs duties.

A variety of items are on the line, including 36 kg of fiber optic cables, 1,000 kg of long grain white rice, and even vehicles like Mercedes and Mazda. Additionally, the goods list features medical supplies, home goods, electronics, garments, and a multitude of specialty items—from power cables to solar systems—underlining the auction’s extensive range.

George Aduwi, Chief Manager at the Inland Container Depot, signed the notice directing attention to the issue at hand. Interested buyers can inspect the goods at specified locations on June 1 and June 12, 2025, providing them a chance to get a closer look at the items available for bidding.

Goods often remain at container depots due to a couple of reasons. Primarily, the failure to pay customs duties or taxes leaves importers with no choice but to leave goods behind. Furthermore, logistical issues, such as transportation delays and the unavailability of trucks, can also hinder the retrieval of these items.

In summary, the KRA is taking a firm stance on uncollected goods left at the Inland Container Depot. Owners have a 30-day grace period before items are deemed abandoned and subject to auction. As various goods, including vehicles and essential supplies, are at stake, importers must act promptly to prevent loss. The auction, set for mid-June, signifies a critical juncture for many stakeholders involved.

Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke