# Kenya Requires Freight Data Prior to Loading (ACD Code) **Category:** Regulation | **Source:** Frachtportal Redaktion | **Published:** 2026-08-26 | **Updated:** 2026-09-12 **Tags:** Kenia, ACD, Advance Cargo Declaration, Mombasa, Seefracht, Container, Bill of Lading, Zoll, Rollover, Exporteur, Spediteur, Logistik News, Transport News, Fracht News, Speditions News, Supply Chain News, Zoll News, Frachtportal News, Luftfracht, Digitalisierung > Kenya requires the ACD code (Advance Cargo Declaration) prior to loading. If it is missing, the container may be pushed to the next departure starting September 1st. --- Since August 3, 2026, Kenya has required an Advance Cargo Declaration, or ACD, for containerized shipments. This is an advance notification of the cargo. It must be completed at the place of departure and not only upon import into Kenya. Four documents are required for the application: the draft bill of lading, the commercial invoice, the freight invoice or appropriate freight documentation, and the official export declaration. After review, a 15-digit ACD code is issued. This code must appear on the final bill of lading. From September 1st onwards, shipping lines should verify the code before loading. If it is missing or invalid, the container can be rescheduled for the next departure. In practice, this is a classic rollover situation. This places part of the work with the exporter, shipper, or freight forwarder in the country of origin. In EXW transactions, the buyer typically organizes transport. With FOB and CIF, export documentation normally falls more heavily on the seller's side. Nevertheless, one should not simply assume that ACD costs are automatically clarified. It is best to establish during booking who will submit the application, who will provide the documentation, and who will cover any additional costs. --- For the disposition team, this means: Include the ACD code as a fixed point in the shipping checklist. Do not wait until just before document closure to address it. The data on invoice, export declaration, and B/L draft must also match. A last-minute correction could otherwise cost you the planned departure. In short: Provide four documents early, clarify responsibilities, and only rely on loading once you have a valid ACD code. --- The ACD requirement has been in effect since August 3, 2026. Containerized shipments to Kenyan ports are affected. The application is submitted before loading. Four key shipping documents are required. The ACD code consists of 15 alphanumeric characters. The code must appear on the Bill of Lading. According to Maersk, shipping lines verify the code starting September 1, 2026 before loading. Without a valid code, a container can be rescheduled to a later vessel. ## Related Entities ### Countries - [Kenya](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ke) ### Seaports - [Mombasa (KE MBA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/mombasa-port-ke-mba) - [Lamu (KE LAU)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/lamu-port-ke-lau) ### Glossary - [Export declaration](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/export-declaration) - [Booking](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/booking) - [Container](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/container) - [Import](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/import) - [Export](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/export-2) - [export processing](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/export-processing) - [Exporter](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/exporter) - [Freight](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/freight) - [Commercial invoice](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/commercial-invoice) - [Shipping company](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/shipping-company) - [Shipment](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/shipment) - [Shipper](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/shipper-2) - [Freight forwarder](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/freight-forwarder) - [Loading](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/loading) - [Commercial Invoice](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/commercial-invoice-2) - [Rollover](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/rollover) --- *Canonical URL: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/kenia-verlangt-frachtdaten-vor-der-verladung-acd-code-20260824191203](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/kenia-verlangt-frachtdaten-vor-der-verladung-acd-code-20260824191203)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/kenia-verlangt-frachtdaten-vor-der-verladung-acd-code-20260824191203](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/kenia-verlangt-frachtdaten-vor-der-verladung-acd-code-20260824191203)*