KRA Issues Warning: Abandoned Goods to be Auctioned in 30 Days
The Kenya Revenue Authority warns of unclaimed goods to be auctioned if not collected within 30 days. Items worth billions of shillings could be auctioned from June 16-20, 2025, due to unpaid customs duties and logistical issues.
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has issued a stern warning regarding abandoned goods at the Customs Warehouse Keeper, Inland Container Depot. The authority has declared that if these items are not collected in thirty days, they will be sold at public auction. This announcement came through a Gazette Notice released on April 25.
The notice specifically indicates that any goods remaining unclaimed will be considered abandoned under the provisions of the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004. If not retrieved in time, a public auction is scheduled for June 16 to June 20, 2025, with the bidding occurring via an online portal.
Among the items flagged for potential auction are a variety of products, notably 36 kg of fiber optic cables, 1,000 kg of long grain white rice, and 396 kg of Ivermectin injections. Furthermore, household goods including wheelchairs, crutches, and several vehicles such as Iveco and Mercedes are also at stake.
In addition, other items under the auction’s hammer include medical equipment, face masks, and a wide range of everyday materials like tiles, beans, olive oil, and even solar equipment. The extensive list highlights many goods—including electronics, bicycles, and automotive glass—that remain unclaimed in the depot.
The official notice was signed by George Aduwi, Chief Manager at the Inland Container Depot, on April 22, 2025. It allows for public viewing of the goods on June 1 and June 12, 2025, during designated office hours, affording buyers an opportunity to examine what they might like to bid on.
The KRA indicates the main reason for these abandoned items is often tied to importers who fail to pay necessary customs duties. Other issues like logistical delays can also leave goods stranded at the depot, exacerbating the situation for those awaiting their deliveries.
In a significant development announced by the Kenya Revenue Authority, property owners risk losing their unclaimed goods stored at the Inland Container Depot. The public auction, scheduled for mid-June 2025, focuses on various products ranging from medical supplies to household goods. The root causes of the abandonment primarily seem to stem from unpaid duties or transportation challenges faced by importers and consignees.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
