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.