Containers at the Port of Mombasa. [pulselive.co.ke]
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has threatened to auction uncollected goods that have been lying at the customs offices for more than one month.
The Customs and Border Control department in a gazette notice said the goods will be made available for viewing to the interested buyers on December 28 and 29 before a planned auction on January 3.
The move will see numerous firms lose goods worth millions of shillings within the next 30 days if they fail to collect their goods.
“Notice is given that unless the undermentioned goods are entered and removed from the custody of the Customs Warehouse Keeper, Kilindini within 30 days of this notice, they will be sold by public auction on January 3, 2018,” read the notice dated November 10, 2017.
National Medical Stores of Uganda risks losing 430 packages of gloves imported for supplies to public health facilities in Uganda.
Other companies that risk having their goods auctioned include Kampala’s Steel Rolling Mills Ltd General Plastics Ltd based in Nairobi’s Industrial Area and Metro Plastics Kenya Ltd in Nairobi, Business Daily has reported.
The Taxman also noted that only goods imported by the governments of East Africa Community states, diplomatic missions or aid agencies will continue staying at the port for more than one month as provided by the law.
Last year, KRA auctioned un-taxed goods ranging from motor vehicle tyres, building and house construction materials, vegetable cooking oil, acids, ladies footwear and Pakistani white rice that had overstayed at the Port of Mombasa.