# Sudan (SD)

**Capital:** Khartoum  
**Currency:** Sudanese Pound (SDG) (SDG)  
**Population:** 50,448,963 — Older stored figure; source year not documented.  
**Area:** 1,861,484 km²

> Sudan is a large northeast African country on the Red Sea and a central transit country for trade in the COMESA region. The main gateway is the seaport of Port Sudan, supplemented by rail and road corridors to Khartoum and Atbara. Main exports are gold, oilseeds, gum arabic and livestock; main imports are machinery, vehicles and food. Imports are subject to duties depending on the product group, plus 17 percent VAT. Since April 2023, a civil war has shaped the situation; security, foreign exchange and compliance risks are very high.

Sudan (ISO code: SD) lies in north-east Africa on the Red Sea, bordering Egypt, Libya, Chad, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea. It is a federal republic under a transitional, military-led government, with security and stability varying sharply by region. The climate is mostly arid to semi-arid, with a rainy season from June to September in the south. The economy rests on agriculture, mining (notably gold), oil and services. Key exports are gold, oilseeds, gum arabic, livestock and crude oil, while machinery, vehicles, fuel and food are imported. Logistically, Sudan relies on the Red Sea port of Port Sudan plus rail and road corridors to Khartoum and Atbara, giving it a transit role for COMESA neighbours. The currency is the Sudanese pound (SDG). Since April 2023 a civil war between the armed forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has severely disrupted infrastructure and supply chains.

**Top Import Partners:** CN, AE, IN, EG, SA

**Top Export Partners:** AE, CN, IN, EG, SA

**Top Import Goods:** Machinery, Vehicles, electronic devices, Pharmaceuticals, Food

**Top Export Goods:** Gold, Crude oil, Animal products, Oilseeds, Agricultural products

**Key Airports:**
- [Khartoum International Airport (KRT)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/khartoum-international-airport-krt)
- [Dongola Airport (DOG)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/dongola-airport-dog)
- [El Fasher Airport (ELF)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/el-fasher-airport-elf)
- [El-Obeid Airport (EBD)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/el-obeid-airport-ebd)
- [Kassala Airport (KSL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/kassala-airport-ksl)
- [Merowe Airport (MWE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/merowe-airport-mwe)
- [Nyala Airport (UYL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/nyala-airport-uyl)
- [Port Sudan New International Airport (PZU)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/port-sudan-new-international-airport-pzu)
- [Wadi Seidna Air Base](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/wadi-seidna-air-base-airport-15982)
- [Abri Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/abri-airport-123)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** Standard VAT rate 17 percent, due at customs clearance on customs value plus duties and levies. Exemptions include human and veterinary medicines, basic foodstuffs and seeds (VAT Act 2001).  
**Customs complexity:** High  
**Customs system:** Imports through the Sudan Customs Authority; customs value on CIF basis. Import duty per product group around 0 to 100 percent, plus VAT at clearance. Clearance is partly still manual.  
**Customs authority:** [Sudan Customs Authority (customs authority, Ministry of Interior)](customs.gov.sd)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Red Sea transit country / agricultural and raw materials exporter  
**Economic area:** COMESA / Arab League (GAFTA)  
**Logistics risk:** very high  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** medium  
**Pharma/cold chain:** medium

## FAQ

### Which import duties apply in Sudan?

An import duty is levied on the CIF customs value depending on the product group (around 0 to 100 percent), plus VAT at customs clearance. Many agricultural and consumer goods are at about 40 percent, while vehicles and machinery are up to 100 percent.

### What is the value added tax (VAT) rate?

The standard VAT rate is 17 percent and is levied at customs clearance. Exemptions include, among others, human and veterinary medicines, basic foodstuffs and seeds (VAT Act 2001).

### Which port is the most important?

Port Sudan on the Red Sea handles most of Sudan's foreign trade and also serves as a gateway for several COMESA neighbours.

### Is there a free trade agreement with Switzerland?

No. Sudan is a COMESA member and uses the COMESA certificate of origin within the free trade area. There is no agreement with Switzerland or EFTA; imports are subject to the standard duty rate.

### Is Sudan subject to sanctions?

There is no longer a comprehensive US embargo against the country itself (lifted 2017, removed from the terrorism list 2020). However, targeted US, EU and UK sanctions apply against SAF and RSF actors, as well as a UN arms embargo for Darfur.

### How does the war affect logistics?

Since April 2023, a civil war has been raging between SAF and RSF, and territorial control is fragmented. Transport often requires special permits; security, insurance and compliance risks are very high.

### Is Khartoum airport flying again?

At the beginning of 2026, Khartoum International Airport resumed its first scheduled flights (initially from Port Sudan), but it remains at risk from repeated drone attacks.

### Which documents are needed for an import?

Common documents are the commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading or air waybill, certificate of origin, import licence and, depending on the goods, a conformity or inspection certificate.

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://tax.gov.sd/en/value-added-tax-vat/](https://tax.gov.sd/en/value-added-tax-vat/)
- [https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/sudan-import-tariffs](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/sudan-import-tariffs)
- [https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/daily_update_e/tariff_profiles/SD_E.pdf](https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/statis_e/daily_update_e/tariff_profiles/SD_E.pdf)
- [https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=SD](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=SD)
- [https://www.comesa.int/development-of-port-sudan-corridor-is-underway/](https://www.comesa.int/development-of-port-sudan-corridor-is-underway/)
- [https://ofac.treasury.gov/sanctions-programs-and-country-information/sudan-and-darfur-sanctions](https://ofac.treasury.gov/sanctions-programs-and-country-information/sudan-and-darfur-sanctions)
- [https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0544](https://home.treasury.gov/news/press-releases/sb0544)
- [https://www.state.gov/sudan-sanctions](https://www.state.gov/sudan-sanctions)

*Last verified: 2026-06-30*

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*Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/sd](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/sd)*

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