Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) customs officers have intercepted 40 undeclared iPhones worth approximately Ksh8.2 million at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA).
The smartphones, identified as iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models, were seized from a male passenger who had arrived in Kenya from Dubai on Thursday, October 1.
“Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) Customs officers at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) have intercepted 40 smartphones valued at approximately Ksh 8.2 million following the screening of a male passenger who arrived in Kenya from Dubai,” the authority stated in a brief obtained by Vantage Ke.
KRA revealed that the passenger had entered Kenya four times within nine days before customs officers intercepted him with the phones.
During questioning, the passenger reportedly told customs officers that he was transporting the smartphones as a courier on behalf of a client based in Dubai.
The phones were discovered after customs officers subjected the passenger's luggage to screening at Terminal 1A International Arrivals using baggage scanners.
The smartphones had been hidden among other assorted items and spread across three small suitcases and a backpack.
KRA officers detected the undeclared devices during routine baggage screening before conducting a thorough physical search of the luggage, where they recovered the phones.
The passenger initially claimed that he was only passing through Kenya by road on his way to a neighbouring country.
However, an examination of his passport and travel records revealed that he had made several brief trips between Kenya and Dubai within a short period.
On September 15, he entered Kenya and left two days later. He returned on September 19 and departed the following day.
The passenger then re-entered Kenya on September 21 and left on September 22 before returning again on September 23.
KRA said the confiscated phones had been transferred to the Customs Warehouse, where they will remain pending clearance and verification.
The authority has reminded travellers to declare all goods subject to Customs control and cautioned them against transporting undeclared items on behalf of third parties.
The interception comes as customs authorities continue to screen luggage at entry points to identify undeclared goods and ensure compliance with Kenya's tax and customs requirements.
Earlier, on September 18, KRA confiscated smuggled goods valued at Ksh46.7 million from a passenger bus. The consignment was reportedly destined for Nairobi.
