ETIMS Compliance for Retail Hardware: Integrating Electronic Tax Invoicing with POS Cash Drawers and Receipt Printers

Understanding KRA ETIMS Integration Options

The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) mandates that all registered businesses issue cryptographically signed Electronic Tax Invoices. Retailers can achieve compliance through software-based Virtual Sales Control Units (VSCU) or Online Sales Control Units (OSCU) connected directly to point of sale hardware.

Hardware Setup for Compliant Checkout

1. POS terminal generates receipt payload with unique invoice number, buyer PIN, and itemized VAT brackets.
2. ETIMS middleware communicates with KRA API to retrieve cryptographic QR code data and internal signing hashes.
3. The 80mm thermal receipt printer prints the KRA QR code clearly at a minimum resolution of 203 DPI for quick mobile validation.