How to check that a customs clearing agent is licensed
- Uganda
- URA online search for licensed customs agents 4
- Tanzania
- TASAC list of clearing and forwarding providers with validity dates, June 2024 7
- Rwanda
- RRA list of customs agents licensed for 2023 8
- Offence
- Operating as a customs agent without a valid licence, regulation 152 10
- Licence form
- Form C21 under the EAC Regulations 10
Why the licence matters
KRA and URA license customs agents under section 145 of the EAC Customs Management Act, 2004 and regulations 149 to 152 of the EAC Customs Management Regulations, 2010 3,5. Regulation 151 of the EAC Customs Management Regulations, 2010 says the licence is issued in Form C21 10. Regulation 152 makes it an offence to operate as, or claim to be, a customs agent without a valid licence 10.
Licences run for a set period. KRA says customs agent licences expire on 31 December 2026, except three year Authorised Economic Operator licences 3. TRA says its customs licences run from 1 January to 31 December each year 6. Check the expiry date as well as the name.
Official lists by country
| Country | Where to check | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| Kenya 1 | KRA customs agents page, link to the list of licensed customs clearing agents 1 | Agent name, licence expiry date and licence type. Entries viewed show 31 December 2026 2 |
| Uganda 4 | URA Choose a Tax Agent page, search for licensed customs agents 4 | Tax office, agent name, TIN, licence number, issue and expiry dates, status and deactivation date 4 |
| Tanzania 7 | TASAC list of clearing and forwarding providers, June 2024 7 | Agent name, contacts, region, start date and expiry date. Most entries expire on 31 December 2024 7 |
| Rwanda 8 | RRA list of customs agents licensed for 2023 8 | TIN, company name, telephone and email for 233 agents 8 |
Kenya
KRA defines a customs agent as a company licensed by the Commissioner of Customs and Border Control to carry out clearance for others 1. Its customs agents page links to a PDF titled Customs Agents 2026 1,2. The list runs to more than 1,100 numbered entries, each with an expiry date and the licence type Custom Agent 2.
Agents renewing for 2027 had to apply on iCMS by 31 October 2026 3. KRA's licensing office can be reached on [email protected] 3.
Uganda
URA's Choose a Tax Agent page links to a search page for licensed customs agents 4. The licence table shows the licence number, issue and expiry dates and whether the registration is active or deactivated 4. URA's page was last updated on 16 April 2026 4.
URA warns that taxpayers must never hand payment of taxes over to agents alone 4. It says payments go into a URA account at a bank or through approved payment platforms 4. For 2026 licences, URA set 31 March 2026 as the deadline for issuing licences 5.
Tanzania and Rwanda
TRA licenses customs agents and processes renewals online through TANCIS 6. TRA's customs licences page does not include a public list of licensed agents 6. The Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation (TASAC) has published a list of clearing and forwarding providers with licence start and expiry dates, filed in June 2024 7.
Rwanda Revenue Authority published a list of 233 customs agents licensed for 2023, with TIN, telephone and email for each 8. RRA's customs clearing agents page covers licensing, the role of agents and action in case of violations, and lists WhatsApp +250 739 008 010 for contact 9.
Steps to check an agent
- Get the agent's registered company name and TIN 4,8.
- Open the official list or search for the country where your goods will be cleared 1,47,8.
- Match the name and TIN and check that the expiry date covers the date of clearance 2,47.
- If the agent is not listed, contact the revenue authority. KRA, URA and RRA list contacts on their pages 3,49.
- Pay duties to the revenue authority account, not to the agent alone, as URA advises 4.
Common questions
Where is the list of licensed clearing agents in Kenya?
KRA's customs agents page links to a PDF list titled Customs Agents 2026 1,2.
How do I check a clearing agent in Uganda?
Use the search for licensed customs agents on URA's Choose a Tax Agent page. It shows the licence number, dates and status 4.
Is it an offence to clear goods without a licence?
Yes. Under regulation 152 of the EAC Customs Management Regulations, 2010, operating as or claiming to be a customs agent without a valid licence is an offence 10.
Should I give my clearing agent money for taxes?
URA says taxpayers must never hand payment of taxes over to agents alone and should pay into a URA account at a bank or approved platform 4.
Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email [email protected] with the official link.
Sources
- Kenya Revenue Authority: Customs agents (undated)
- Kenya Revenue Authority: Customs Agents 2026, list of licensed customs agents (2026)
- Kenya Revenue Authority: Application for Renewal of Customs Agents Licences 2027 (21 September 2026)
- Uganda Revenue Authority: Choose a Tax Agent (updated 16 April 2026)
- Uganda Revenue Authority: Customs Agency License 2026 (22 August 2025)
- Tanzania Revenue Authority: Customs licenses (undated)
- Tanzania Shipping Agencies Corporation: List of providers of clearing and forwarding with licence validity period (June 2024)
- Rwanda Revenue Authority: List of customs agents licensed for 2023 (2023)
- Rwanda Revenue Authority: Customs clearing agents (undated)
- EAC: Customs Management Regulations, 2010, text hosted by tralac (undated)
Related
- Customs agent licensing in Kenya
KRA customs agent licence rules: Form C20, US$50 and US$400 fees, the US$5,000 CB 11 bond, iCMS access and the role of KIFWA.
- Customs agent licensing in Uganda
URA customs agency licence rules: Form C20 on the Single Window, US$50 and US$400 fees, competence tests, ASYCUDA World and UFFA.
- Customs agent licensing in Tanzania
TRA rules for licensing clearing and forwarding agents: US$50 and US$400 fees, the TSh 100 million bond, TANCIS and the TAFFA association.
- Customs clearing agent licensing in Rwanda
RRA requirements for a customs clearing agency licence in Rwanda: RESW application, RWF 150 million guarantee, staff, validity and EAC fees.
- Customs agent licensing in the East African Community
How the EAC Customs Management Act 2004 and the 2010 Regulations govern customs agent licences, fees, the practising certificate and FEAFFA.
- Clearing agent fees and official import charges in East Africa
Clearing agent fee schedules in Tanzania and Kenya, licence fees agents pay, and official levies importers pay at clearance in Kenya and Uganda.