This archive report was first published on 27 July 2021.
On July 20, 2021, the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) announced a new extension of the free storage period for containers, a move aimed at protecting importers, exporters, and transporters from the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The extension, which is valid for three months, comes after the KPA had previously extended the free storage time since last year. The first extension was announced in May 2020 and ran until August 2020, at the height of the pandemic.
According to a gazette notice by KPA Managing Director John Mwangemi, the new extension will provide relief to port users who have been struggling with the effects of the pandemic on the transport and logistics sector.
"The extension of free storage is valid for three months with effect from 20th July to 20th October 2021," Mwangemi stated.
Under the new extension, transit export containers will continue to have the longest storage period of 20 days, up from 15 days. Transit import containers at the Port and ICD Embakassi will have a storage period of 14 days, up from 9 days. Domestic import containers will have their storage days extended to 5 days, while domestic export containers will have their storage period extended from 9 to 15 days.
Port users who incur charges for containers that have stayed past their free storage period will be charged between Sh3000-Sh9000 per day, depending on the size of the container. Cargos released by the Kenya Revenue Authority and not picked after 24 hours will be charged Sh10,000 and Sh20,000 per day for 20ft and 40ft containers, respectively.
