A passenger arriving at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) from Dubai has been intercepted by Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) officers after being found with 40 undeclared iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max devices valued at approximately Sh8.2 million.
KRA said the traveller had made four trips into Kenya within nine days and later disclosed that he was transporting the phones on behalf of a client based in Dubai.
Highlights
- KRA intercepted 40 undeclared iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max phones.
- The devices were valued at about Sh8.2 million.
- The passenger had travelled from Dubai and entered Kenya four times in nine days.
- He told KRA he was carrying the phones for a Dubai-based client.
- Travellers have been warned against transporting undeclared goods for other people.
Main Story
KRA Intercepts Phones at JKIA
KRA Customs officers at JKIA have intercepted dozens of high-end Apple smartphones that had allegedly not been declared to Customs.
The 40 devices, comprising iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models, were valued at around Sh8.2 million.
The passenger had arrived in Kenya from Dubai when Customs officers discovered the phones.
Passenger Had Made Several Trips
According to KRA, the traveller had entered Kenya four times within a period of just nine days.
During questioning, he reportedly admitted that he was acting as a courier for a client in Dubai and was transporting the phones on the client’s behalf.
The authority has used the incident to caution travellers against accepting packages or commercial merchandise for other people without first establishing what the items are and whether they need to be declared.
Why Customs Declaration Matters
KRA reminded travellers that goods subject to Customs requirements must be declared when entering Kenya.
This includes goods on which duty may be payable as well as merchandise brought into the country for commercial purposes.
Passengers carrying dutiable or restricted items are expected to use the Red Channel at the airport and present their goods to Customs officers for assessment.
For commercial consignments, travellers should also have supporting documents such as invoices and receipts showing the purchase price and value of the goods.
Regular commercial imports may require the services of a licensed customs clearing agent to facilitate the necessary documentation and clearance through the Customs system.
Depending on the goods involved, additional paperwork may include packing lists, air waybills, certificates of origin, permits, licences and certificates of conformity.
Warning to Travellers
KRA’s latest interception highlights the potential risks of acting as a courier for another person without understanding the contents of a package or the legal requirements attached to it.
The authority has previously advised travellers to avoid accepting merchandise from third parties unless they are certain about what they are carrying and whether the items meet Kenyan import requirements.
Customs officers at JKIA are expected to continue monitoring incoming goods and enforcing regulations governing imports into the country.
For travellers, the message is simple: carrying something for someone else does not necessarily remove the Customs obligations attached to the goods.
Before agreeing to carry that package for someone else, it may be worth asking one simple question: do you know what you are putting in your own luggage and what Customs will require when you land?
