Passenger clearance represents a fundamental component of customs and border control operations conducted at various points of entry. This critical process encompasses the systematic examination and processing of travelers and their personal belongings to ensure full adherence to national customs regulations and immigration requirements.

Key Components

The passenger clearance process involves several essential elements that work together to maintain border security and regulatory compliance. Immigration officers and customs officials carefully review travel documents, verify the legitimacy of entry purposes, and conduct thorough inspections of accompanying baggage and personal items.

Passenger clearance is a key aspect of customs and border control at points of entry. It involves processing travelers and their accompanying baggage to ensure compliance with national regulations, proper declaration of goods, and payment of any applicable duties and taxes.

Step into the fast-paced and dynamic world of a Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Customs & Border Control Officer in this eye-opening episode. Tune in for an inside look as we follow Mr. Khamis Mbarak through a typical day on the job, from early morning briefings to late-night cargo inspections.

Discover the critical role these officers play in safeguarding Kenya's borders, ensuring compliance with trade regulations, and combating smuggling and other illicit activities. Hear firsthand about the challenges they face, from managing high-pressure situations to balancing efficiency with thoroughness.

Through candid interviews and immersive storytelling, this episode highlights the dedication, vigilance, and problem-solving skills required to keep the nation's borders secure and its economy thriving. Whether it's intercepting contraband, facilitating legitimate trade, or navigating the complexities of international customs laws, you'll gain a newfound appreciation for the unsung heroes who keep Kenya's borders safe and its trade flowing.

Welcome to Tubonge Tax, the podcast series where we discuss tax matters. In this episode, we're diving into a topic that impacts every one of us—the role of Customs and Border Control in revenue collection.

From ensuring the smooth flow of goods across borders to safeguarding national security and mobilizing revenue, Customs and Border Control staff play a vital role. But how exactly do they do it? What challenges do they face? And how does their work affect businesses, consumers, and governments?

In this episode, we'll unpack these questions and more. Our guest, Ms. Grace Temba, Manager, Customs & Border Control, will share insights and experiences from the front lines of Customs and Border Control. Whether you're a policy enthusiast, a business owner, or just curious about how borders and revenue intersect, this episode is for you.

Unpacking KRA's eTIMS: A New Era for Tax Compliance in Kenya for Businesses & Individuals.

What is eTIMS?

The eTIMS system is KRA's innovative response to the challenges of tax compliance, designed to facilitate a seamless, efficient, and transparent process. By automating tax invoicing, eTIMS significantly reduces the administrative burden on businesses and individuals, ensures accuracy in tax reporting, and combats tax evasion. This system is not just a step forward in digitalization; it's a major transition towards enhancing the ease of doing business in Kenya.

The Significance of eTIMS.

With a deadline for sign-ups looming on the 31st of March 2024, the urgency to understand and adopt eTIMS has never been more critical. The platform's development was driven by a need to align tax processes with the dynamic nature of modern business and individual operations, offering a solution that is both accessible and comprehensive.

In this episode, we unpack the Tax Amnesty Programme, which allows taxpayers to rectify their tax affairs while avoiding severe penalties and interest.

The primary goal of the Tax Amnesty Programme is to encourage taxpayers to come forward and disclose any undisclosed income, settle their outstanding tax liabilities and enjoy 100% amnesty on penalties and interest

The Tax Amnesty Programme typically covers various types of taxes, including income tax, value-added tax (VAT), corporate tax, and other taxes under domestic taxes. It applies to both individual taxpayers and businesses.

Where a person has paid all the principal taxes that were due by December 31, 2022, they will be entitled to an automatic waiver of the penalties and interest related to that period and will not be required to make an amnesty application.

Where a person has not paid all the principal taxes accrued up to December 31, 2022, they will be required to apply to the Commissioner for amnesty on interest and penalties and propose a payment plan for any outstanding principal taxes, which should be paid no later than June 30, 2024.

The main objective of Ushuru Mashinani is to create awareness and help customers understand their tax obligations by providing tax education and services to the citizens to enhance revenue collection at the grassroots level. Ushuru Mashinani recognizes the diverse needs and priorities of different local communities and offers customized solutions that are best suited to these audiences.

eTiMS is a flexible solution that offers a variety of integration solutions, including the use of mobile phones, windows, tablets, POS online solutions and ERP systems.

If you fail to file your tax returns on time, you may be subject to penalties and interest charges. These charges can add up quickly, making it even more difficult to get your tax compliance certificate.

Filing your income tax returns annually is an important responsibility that will help a taxpayer claim refunds, avoid penalties and interest, and provide proof of income when needed.

By law all wines, spirits, beer, bottled water, juices, soda, energy drinks, cigarettes and other tobacco products must be marked with excise tax stamps.

In this episode, our expert Soila is breaking it down for easy understanding of the Soma Label App. Remember excise tax stamps possess a number of security features and are all uniquely numbered with encrypted data codes. The codes are linked to a track & trace system holding information for each product individually.