Bidders at KRA warehouse at the port of Mombasa during auction day. KRA auctioned unpaid goods. [Photo/the-star.co.ke]
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) collected at least Sh62.2 million from this year’s first public auction that was held at Mombasa port on Wednesday.
The exercise was being undertaken in a bid to ease congestion at the port, as the goods had stayed at the facility for a long time.
KRA auctioned 53 assorted goods including vehicles, household items, construction materials and other assorted goods.
“The goods were auctioned after the importers failed to pay duty to enable them to collect their cargo from the port even after the Authority issued a one month notice.”
“The auctioning of abandoned goods at the port of Mombasa is part of the authority’s efforts to decongest the facility and enhance efficiency,” said KRA in a statement.
KRA deputy commissioner in charge of Southern Region Nicholas Kinoti said the importers were given a 30-day notice for them to pay the required duty but failed to do so.
“It is important for importers to pay duty when their goods arrive at the Port of Mombasa so that they can collect their cargo. Upon failure by the importers to collect their cargo, KRA is mandated to auction the goods to generate revenue,” he said.
The next auction will be carried out on January 17.