Systems compared
Customs management systems compared across East Africa
Short answer
- Kenya
- iCMS, Kenya Revenue Authority 1
- Uganda
- ASYCUDA World, Uganda Revenue Authority 3
- Rwanda
- ASYCUDA World, RRA among pilot users 4
- Tanzania
- TANCIS, Tanzania Revenue Authority 8
- Burundi
- SYDONIA World, live 11 May 2013 6
- DRC
- SYDONIA, run by the DGDA 7
- Adverse finding
- Tanzania CAG, 30 March 2026, on systems not integrated with TANCIS 9
Systems side by side
Status is as of the date of each source. South Sudan and Somalia are not in the table. No official page naming their customs systems could be opened for this page.
| Country | System | Run by | Status and date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya 1 | iCMS, replaced Simba 1 | Kenya Revenue Authority 1 | Live, used for agent licence renewals in a notice of 21 September 2026 10 |
| Uganda 3 | ASYCUDA World 3 | Uganda Revenue Authority 3 | Live, per an undated URA page read 24 October 2026 3 |
| Rwanda 4 | ASYCUDA World 4 | Rwanda Revenue Authority, a pilot user 4 | Used for the single window pilot launched 7 February 2012 4 |
| Tanzania 8 | TANCIS, replaced ASYCUDA++ 5 | Tanzania Revenue Authority 8 | Enhanced version launched 20 January 2025 8 |
| Burundi 6 | SYDONIA World 6 | Burundi customs 6 | Live from 11 May 2013 in all automated offices and border posts 6 |
| DRC 7 | SYDONIA 7 | Direction Générale des Douanes et Accises 7 | Live, servers down for maintenance on 10 and 11 October 2026 7 |
Kenya: iCMS
TradeMark Africa lists the iCMS project as running from 2011 to 2016, funded by the British High Commission in Kenya, Danida and Finland 1. The work covered 42 modules, a new KRA data centre and integration with the Regional Electronic Cargo Tracking System and the Single Customs Territory 1. The page says iCMS replaced the SIMBA 2005 system 1.
The EastAfrican reported on 28 September 2021 that KRA had piloted iCMS in phases since 2019, starting with motor vehicles, bulk cargo and exports. Full rollout for containerised cargo was set for 22 October 2021 2. The paper said traders must submit sea manifests 48 hours before a vessel arrives or departs 2.
TradeMark Africa gives a cut in clearance times of up to 60% as an expected outcome. It does not report a measured result 1. KRA told customs agents to renew 2027 licences through the iCMS platform by 31 October 2026 10.
Uganda and Rwanda: ASYCUDA World
URA says the Uganda Electronic Single Window operates by interfacing with ASYCUDA World, which it describes as a computerised customs management system. All ministries and government agencies must integrate their clearing systems with it to use the single window 3.
In Rwanda, the single window pilot launched on 7 February 2012 used ASYCUDA World, which UNCTAD developed. The press release says TradeMark East Africa financed the system with US$3.33 million 4.
Tanzania: TANCIS
TRA says TANCIS, the Tanzania Customs Integrated System, replaced ASYCUDA++, which had been in use in Tanzania since 2005 5. TRA launched an enhanced TANCIS on 20 January 2025 in Dar es Salaam and said it is integrated with 36 other institutional systems 8.
The Controller and Auditor General report on information systems for 2024/25, dated 30 March 2026, found that the Tanzania Bureau of Standards online application system is not integrated with TANCIS. The report says this may duplicate effort and reduce oversight 9. It found that the Cashewnut Board of Tanzania system is not integrated with TANCIS either, which prevents automated exchange and validation of export information 9. A management response on these points was not in the part of the report read for this page 9.
Burundi and the DRC
An UNCTAD ASYCUDA newsletter of June 2013 reports a parallel run in Burundi from 6 to 10 May 2013. SYDONIA World went into effective operation on 11 May 2013 in all automated offices and border posts, replacing SYDONIA++ 6.
The DRC customs and excise directorate said on 9 October 2026 that access to SYDONIA servers would be disrupted on 10 and 11 October 2026 for data centre maintenance. It asked users to finish operations before then 7.
Common questions
What customs system does Kenya use?
The Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS) of the Kenya Revenue Authority, which replaced Simba 1,2.
Does Tanzania use ASYCUDA?
Not now. TANCIS replaced ASYCUDA++, which Tanzania had used since 2005 5.
Which East African countries use ASYCUDA World?
Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi, in the sources read for this page. Burundi uses the French name SYDONIA World 3,46.
When did Kenya fully switch to iCMS?
The EastAfrican reported that full rollout for containerised cargo was set for 22 October 2021 2.
Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].
Sources
- TradeMark Africa, project page: Kenya Revenue Authority Customs Management System (accessed 24 October 2026)
- The EastAfrican, no reporter named: KRA ready for full rollout of iCSM to replace Simba system at port (28 September 2021)
- Uganda Revenue Authority: How is Uganda Electronic Single Window structured, How does the Uganda Electronic Single Window operate, What is Asycuda World (undated, accessed 24 October 2026)
- TradeMark Africa: press release on the Rwanda electronic single window pilot launch, Kigali (7 February 2012)
- Tanzania Revenue Authority: What is TANCIS (FAQ page, accessed 24 October 2026)
- UNCTAD: ASYCUDA Newsletter, UNCTAD/WEB/DTL/ASYCUDA/2013/2 (June 2013)
- Direction Générale des Douanes et Accises (DRC): DGDA, des perturbations annoncées sur SYDONIA les 10 et 11 octobre (9 October 2026)
- Tanzania Revenue Authority: The Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA) has launched the enhanced TANCIS and New website (20 January 2025)
- National Audit Office of Tanzania: Annual Report of the Controller and Auditor General on the Audit of the Information Systems for the Financial Year 2024/25 (30 March 2026)
- Kenya Revenue Authority: Application for Renewal of Customs Agents Licences 2027 (21 September 2026)
Related
- Electronic single windows compared: Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania
Kenya TradeNet, the Uganda Electronic Single Window, the Rwanda Electronic Single Window and Tanzania's TeSWS. Launch dates, operators and agencies.
- EAC Customs Management Act, 2004
The customs law shared by East African Community states: its parts, who runs it, the 2019 and 2025 amendments and the sections traders use most.
- EAC Single Customs Territory (SCT)
How the EAC Single Customs Territory clears goods with one declaration, when it started on each corridor, and what EAC and TRA sources say about it.
- Burundi customs and trade systems
Burundi's revenue office OBR, its ASYCUDA World customs system, the medicines single window, border posts and the EAC and COMESA rules it applies.
- South Sudan customs and trade systems
South Sudan's revenue authority, the e-Tax rule for duties, the Nimule border post, EAC and Northern Corridor membership and audit findings.
- Electronic cargo tracking compared across East Africa
Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda share RECTS. Tanzania runs its own ECTS. The DRC lists a transit tracking tool. Dates, costs and reported transit times.