KRA seizes 55,000 under-declared phones, foils sh21.5m tax loss

ELDORET, Kenya—The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) has intercepted 55,607 smartphones at Eldoret International Airport after discovering that a consignment declared to contain only 3,000 phones had been significantly under-declared.

The seizure followed an intelligence report indicating that the shipment contained undeclared mobile phones and other high-value electronic goods.

The cargo, entered under five customs declarations, listed 3,000 smartphones alongside shoes, clothing, motor vehicle spare parts, household goods and electronic accessories.

However, a verification exercise by KRA officers established that the consignment contained 55,607 ordinary smartphones — more than 18 times the number declared in the customs entries.

The officers also discovered 309 high-end smartphones that had not been declared, including Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max models.

KRA said the findings pointed to both under-declaration and non-declaration of dutiable goods, with the attempted evasion estimated to have put Sh21.5 million in government revenue at risk.

The authority said the conduct contravenes Section 203 of the East African Community Customs Management Act (EACCMA), 2004, which criminalises false or incorrect customs declarations and fraudulent evasion of duty.

Persons convicted under the provision face a prison term of up to three years or a fine of up to US$10,000.

KRA said the interception demonstrates its continued efforts to detect tax evasion and enforce customs compliance while protecting legitimate businesses from unfair competition.

The authority has urged taxpayers, businesses and members of the public with information on tax evasion schemes, including the use of fictitious VAT invoices, to report the cases to KRA.

KRA said information provided by members of the public would be treated confidentially and that informants’ identities would be protected.