Country profile
Sudan
SD · SDNAs of: 6/30/2026Red Sea transit country / agricultural and raw materials exporter
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.
Overview
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.
Mentioned countries
Glossary terms
Customs & Import/Export
Customs authority
Sudan Customs Authority (customs authority, Ministry of Interior)Import 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.
Export system
Exports through the Sudan Customs Authority with export registration as well as certificates of origin and health certificates, mainly for agricultural products, animal products and gold. Central bank foreign exchange regulations must be observed.
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).
Import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading / air waybill
- Certificate of origin
- Import licence
- Conformity / inspection certificate
Export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Certificate of origin
- Export registration
- Phytosanitary / health certificate
- Bill of lading
Origin proofs / FTA
Within the COMESA free trade area, the COMESA certificate of origin applies for preferential tariffs. There is no free trade agreement with Switzerland/EFTA; imports are subject to the standard duty rate.
Restricted & prohibited goods
Import restrictions and bans apply, among others, to alcohol, pork and certain chemicals; weapons and dual-use goods require a licence. Gold and foreign currency exports are state-controlled.
Export controls & sanctions
There is no longer a comprehensive US embargo against the country itself (lifted 2017, removed from the SST list 2020). Targeted US, EU and UK sanctions apply against SAF and RSF actors; UN arms embargo for Darfur.
Without warranty — always verify with freight forwarder/customs agent and official authorities.
Customs / Import / Export (Africa) — General process
Quick operational overview for international shipments to Africa. Documentation, pre-clearance and local clearance steps can vary a lot by destination.
Documents (typical)
- Commercial invoice (description, value, Incoterms)
- Packing list (weights, dimensions, packages)
- HS code / tariff classification
- Proof of origin / preference docs (where relevant)
- Depending on destination/goods: additional permits, inspection or compliance documents
Process (simplified)
- Prepare export (docs, HS code, origin)
- Import clearance in destination country (declaration, possible checks)
- Release and delivery; duties/taxes according to classification and value
Common pitfalls
- Vague description or missing HS codes → delays and clarifications
- Incoterms unclear: who clears customs/pays charges?
- Incomplete origin data → preferential treatment may not apply
- Inconsistent documents (invoice vs packing list vs shipment data)
Important: Requirements depend on goods, origin, Incoterms, value, and consignee. When in doubt, confirm with your broker/forwarder and official sources.
Official links
Note: regional/general sources. Country-specific authority links will be added iteratively.
Trade
Freight Infrastructure & Transport Network
Transport relevance
Cargo airports
- Khartum International (KRT)
- Port Sudan New International (PZU)
Seaports / access ports
- Port Sudan (main seaport, Red Sea)
- Suakin/Sawakin
- Bashayer Oil Terminal
Inland ports & terminals
- Kosti (White Nile)
Road corridors & border crossings
- Port Sudan - Khartoum (main corridor)
- Khartoum - Wadi Halfa (Egypt)
- Khartoum - Kosti - South Sudan border
Rail corridors
- Port Sudan - Atbara - Khartoum
- Khartoum - Sennar - Kosti
- Atbara - Wadi Halfa
Top trade lanes
- Sudan - UAE
- Sudan - China
- Sudan - Saudi Arabia
- Sudan - Egypt
- Sudan - India
Risk & Operational Notes
Risk notes
Civil war between SAF and RSF since April 2023 with fragmented territorial control; security, insurance and compliance risks are very high. Foreign currency shortages, high inflation and fuel shortages burden supply chains.
Seasonal & weather risks
Rainy season June to September, mainly in the south, with flooding and impassable tracks; in the north, intense heat and dust storms (haboob) occur all year, affecting road and air traffic.
Current logistics notes
Status 2026: Port Sudan remains the most important gateway to the world. The government returned to Khartoum in January 2026; Khartoum airport resumed first scheduled flights but remains at risk from drone attacks.
As of: 2026-06-30
Operational notes – no claim to completeness. Verify with your freight forwarder and official sources.
Airports in this country
Latest News
No news for this country yet.
View all news →Sources & Data Confidence
Official sources
- tax.gov.sd
- customs.gov.sd
- cbos.gov.sd
- comesa.int
Source references without warranty. For legal/tax decisions consult official authorities.
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.
Which trade partners are important for Sudan?
Which logistics terms are especially relevant for Sudan?
For international shipments, these terms are a good quick start:
Next steps
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