What is the difference between OSCU and VSCU?

Both connect your invoicing system to KRA's eTIMS. KRA describes the OSCU as suitable where invoicing is always online and the VSCU as suitable for bulk invoicing where the connection is not always online.

Can you connect my existing POS to eTIMS?

Often, yes. It depends on what your POS exposes and how it is built. We assess it first and tell you plainly if the better option is to change system.

Do you have your own eTIMS-ready POS?

Fahari POS is our cloud POS designed around eTIMS, M-Pesa and offline-tolerant scanning. It is currently in pre-pilot, so ask us for its current status before relying on it.

Will my business still sell if the internet goes down?

That depends on the system. We design for intermittent connectivity — for example by queuing invoice data and syncing when the connection returns — and the VSCU route exists for this kind of situation.

Do I need to register for eTIMS myself?

Yes. Each taxpayer signs up on KRA's eTIMS portal with their KRA PIN and is approved by KRA. We can guide you through it.

Can this also take M-Pesa?

Yes. We integrate M-Pesa through the Safaricom Daraja API so payment and receipt happen in one flow.

eTIMS-Ready POS & Invoicing Systems in Kenya

In short

To issue eTIMS-compliant invoices from your own POS, ERP or billing system, you connect it to KRA through system-to-system integration using either the Online Sales Control Unit (OSCU), for invoicing that is always online, or the Virtual Sales Control Unit (VSCU), for bulk invoicing or where the connection is not always online. Vuvo Labs integrates existing systems with eTIMS and is also building Fahari POS, a cloud POS designed around eTIMS and M-Pesa.

Who it's for

Is this right for you?

Shops, supermarkets, pharmacies and restaurants that need compliant receipts at the till
Distributors and wholesalers issuing invoices from billing or ERP software
Software owners whose product must issue eTIMS invoices for its Kenyan users
Businesses whose current POS cannot yet connect to eTIMS

What you get

What we deliver

Route assessment

We recommend OSCU or VSCU, or a simpler KRA tool, based on your system, connectivity and invoice volumes.

Integration and testing

We connect your system to KRA's eTIMS interfaces and test sales, credit notes and stock movements end to end.

Item and tax mapping

Your products are mapped to KRA item classifications and tax rates and kept in sync.

Receipts and failure handling

Compliant receipts with QR codes, and queuing and retry when KRA or the connection is unavailable.

M-Pesa at the same till

Payments and receipts in one flow, reconciled automatically.

How it works

From first call to launch

01
Assess your current setup
We look at your POS, ERP or billing software, connectivity and invoice volumes.
02
Choose the route
OSCU suits always-online invoicing; VSCU suits bulk invoicing or intermittent connectivity.
03
Build and test in KRA's sandbox
KRA describes the integration process as development, testing, vetting and certification. We build and test against its sandbox.
04
Go live and support
We train your staff, monitor the first transactions and keep the integration working as KRA's specifications evolve.

Cost and timeline

What affects the price

We quote every project in writing after scoping. These are the factors that move the number.

Whether your software already exposes the data eTIMS needs, or needs changes first.
OSCU versus VSCU, and the number of branches and tills.
The number of item types and tax categories to map.
Stock-movement and credit-note handling requirements.
Whether you want payments (M-Pesa) integrated at the same time.

How our pricing works

Good to know

Rules and honest limits

Certification is KRA's decision

KRA describes system-to-system integration as a process of development, testing, vetting and certification. We build to KRA's published specifications, but we cannot guarantee an outcome that KRA decides. Specifications and rules change, so always confirm current requirements with KRA or your tax adviser.

Check your integrator

KRA publishes a list of verified third-party integrators. Whoever you choose, ask what they have built and certified, and check KRA's current list.

Your own eTIMS registration

Each taxpayer needs their own KRA PIN and an eTIMS sign-up, approved by KRA. We can guide you through the steps, but the registration is yours.

FAQ

eTIMS POS and invoicing FAQs

Keep exploring

Related services, guides and products

Ready to talk about etims pos and invoicing?

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eTIMS-ready POS and invoicing for Kenyan businesses