November 1, 2016
Mombasa, Kenya
Port staff protest against increased tariffs
More than 1,000 clearing and forwarding agents in Mombasa are up in arms over high taxes which were imposed by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) two months ago.
According to Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (Kifwa) Mombasa branch Secretary Bernard Simiyu, the tariffs were imposed on commodities such as rice, tyres, batteries, powdered milk, linen among others.
Mr Simiyu said: “KRA didn’t inform us about the increased tariffs. We just learnt about the duty increase two months ago when our members went to clear cargo at the port.”
As a result of the high taxes, he said said the agents were unable to clear 1,200 containers from the port of Mombasa.
“Clearing and forwarding agents can no longer afford to clear imported goods at the port owing to the high tariffs which were imposed by KRA two months ago.
“Unless the government addresses the matter, thousands of workers are going to lose their jobs as the clearing and forwarding companies are being driven out of business,” he said.
Mr Simiyu added that stakeholders in the sector must be involved in decision-making so that work can run unhindered.
“We are not opposed to paying taxes, but we must be involved in decision-making with regard to imposition of new tariffs as they increase the cost of doing business at the port,” he added.
EXPENSIVE WORK
"The increased tariffs has made the clearing of cargo at our port more expensive compared to the port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
"The problem has also affected importers as the uncollected containers are incurring demurrage charges,” he added.
Source: Port staff protest against increased tariffs
Mombasa, Kenya
Port staff protest against increased tariffs
More than 1,000 clearing and forwarding agents in Mombasa are up in arms over high taxes which were imposed by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) two months ago.
According to Kenya International Freight and Warehousing Association (Kifwa) Mombasa branch Secretary Bernard Simiyu, the tariffs were imposed on commodities such as rice, tyres, batteries, powdered milk, linen among others.
Mr Simiyu said: “KRA didn’t inform us about the increased tariffs. We just learnt about the duty increase two months ago when our members went to clear cargo at the port.”
As a result of the high taxes, he said said the agents were unable to clear 1,200 containers from the port of Mombasa.
“Clearing and forwarding agents can no longer afford to clear imported goods at the port owing to the high tariffs which were imposed by KRA two months ago.
“Unless the government addresses the matter, thousands of workers are going to lose their jobs as the clearing and forwarding companies are being driven out of business,” he said.
Mr Simiyu added that stakeholders in the sector must be involved in decision-making so that work can run unhindered.
“We are not opposed to paying taxes, but we must be involved in decision-making with regard to imposition of new tariffs as they increase the cost of doing business at the port,” he added.
EXPENSIVE WORK
"The increased tariffs has made the clearing of cargo at our port more expensive compared to the port of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.
"The problem has also affected importers as the uncollected containers are incurring demurrage charges,” he added.
Source: Port staff protest against increased tariffs