Sudan
1.3 Sudan Customs Information

Duties and Tax Exemption 

For contact information regarding government custom authorities, please see the following link: 4.1 Sudan Government Contact List

Emergency Response: 

Exemption applications must be requested prior to an importation through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 

In an emergency scenario the process can be expedited, however, the process flows must be adhered to. 

On the issuance of a permit, the ‘White Copy ‘is sent to the Importer, the ‘Yellow’ copy by the MOFA to Customs Head Quarters then to the Port of Entry.                                                                                                                                               

Agreements / Conventions Description 

Ratified by Country? (Yes / No)  

WCO (World Customs Organization) member 

Yes (08.06.1960) 

Annex J-5 Revised Kyoto Convention 

Yes (16.06.2009) 

OCHA Model Agreement 

No 

Tampere Convention (on the Provision of Telecommunication Resources for Disaster Mitigation and Relief Operations) 

Yes (04.12.1998) 

No final signature 

Regional Agreements (on emergency/disaster response, but also customs unions, regional integration) 

NSTR 

Exemption Regular Regime (Non-Emergency Response):   

Organizational Requirements to obtain Duty Free Status 

United Nations Agencies 

Items that are imported for the use by United Nations agencies are Free of Duty, surcharges and VAT, to ensure that the items are cleared without attracting surcharges, duty and VAT, the process through the Ministry of Finance must be adhered to.  

Medicines, nutrition and ‘special’ items, require final clearance to import from the relevant Ministry (i.e.  Health, Agriculture) etc.  

As outlined in paragraph (c)  (d)  and 3.1.1 

Non Governmental Organizations 

The International NGOs follow a similar process as outlined for UN Agencies; approval is also linked to the Memorandum of Agreement to operate within the Republic of Sudan. 

Exemption Certificate Application Procedure:  

Duties and Taxes Exemption Application Procedure 

Generalities

Documents required 

1. Airfreight shipments – Original documents 

a. Airway bill 

b. Supplier Invoice 

c. Packing list 

d. Import Declaration Form (IDF) from the importer 

e. Importer’s identification number 

f. Duties and Taxes Exemption Certificates, if any 

g. Permit for import of food, Agriculture products, drugs and pharmaceuticals 

 

2. Sea freight shipments- Original documents 

a. Bill of Lading 

b. Supplier Invoice(s) 

c. Packing list 

d. Import Declaration Form (IDF) from the importer 

e. Importer’s identification number 

f. Duties and Taxes Exemption Certificates, if any 

g. Permit for import of food, Agriculture products, drugs and pharmaceuticals 

 

3. Additional documents required for specific imports 

a. Certificate of Origin 

b. Phytosanitary Certificates for imports of agricultural products 

c. Gift Certificates, if gifted to any organization eligible for duty free clearance  

Process to be followed

Through HAC to obtain the following exemptions from the local authorities within seven to ten working days: 

  • Customs Clearance from Customs Authorities.  
  • Health Clearance from Ministry of Health (MoH). 
  • Plant Permit Form 10 from Ministry of Agriculture for Cereals & Pulses commodities. 
  • The Sudanese Standard & Metrology Organization (SSMO) Clearance for all commodities. 
  • The Sudanese Sea Ports Corporation (SPC) Clearance from Ministry of Finance (MoF & Sea Port Corporation). 
  • Plant Protection Department of Ministry of Agriculture (PPD) 
  • Final clearance by C&F Agents at discharge Port: Will take about five to seven working days  

Exemption Certificate Document Requirements 

Duties and Taxes Exemption Certificate Document Requirements (by commodity) 

 

Food 

NFI (Shelter, WASH, Education) 

Medicines 

Vehicle & Spare Parts 

Staff & Office Supplies 

Telecoms Equipment 

Invoice 

Original + 1 copy 

Original + 1 copy 

Original + 1 copy 

Original + 1 copy 

Original + 1 copy 

Original + 1 copy 

AWB/BL/Other Transport Documents 

One original 

One original 

One original 

One original 

One original 

One original 

Donation/Non-Commercial Certificates 

One original 

One original 

One original 

One original 

One original 

One original 

Packing Lists 

Packing declarations, values 

Packing declarations, values 

Packing declaration, values 

Packing declaration, values 

Packing declaration, values 

Packing declarations, values 

Other Documents 

Nutritions require final approval from the Department of Food and Agriculture 

 

Final approval through the Ministry of Health 

 

 

Final approval for import permits through the Ministry of Telecommunications 

Additional Notes 

All weights, measurements and values need to reconcile and crosscheck between the various negotiable and supporting documents (see 2.4.4) 

Customs Clearance 

General Information  

Customs Information 

Document Requirements  

Exemption applications must be requested prior to an importation through the Ministry of Finance. On the issuance of a permit, the ‘White Copy‘ is sent to the Importer, the ‘Yellow’ copy by the ministry to Customs Head Quarters then to the Port of Entry. 

Transit cargo must have the country of final destination clearly endorsed on the Bills of Lading / Air waybills and supporting documentation. 

Embargoes 

There are no embargoes on imports into the Republic of Sudan, commercial cargo is subject to Import permits, and Aid related cargo is subject to exemption certificates that are issued HAC and the Ministry of Finance. 

Prohibited Items 

All cargo imported into Sudan is subject to Import permits, Aid related cargo is subject to exemption certificates that are issued HAC and the Ministry of Finance. No GMO products maybe imported.

General Restrictions 

GMO commodities are not permitted, the importation of wine and spirits is restricted. Nutrition has required approval through the Department of Food Administration, Medicine / vaccines etc. via the Ministry of Health. 

Customs Clearance Document Requirements 

The customs processes and documentation requirements may change from time to time, with minimum pre-advice or amendments being gazetted. Therefore, it is important for clearing agents to regularly check with customs/MoFA if there are any recent changes or amendments. 

For commercial cargos where exemption is not provided, custom payment is made by cash or cheque. There is no delay in the importation of goods through the customs exemption process.   

Customs Clearance Document Requirements (by commodity) 

 

Food 

NFI (Shelter, WASH, Education) 

Medicines 

Vehicles Spare Parts 

Staff & Office Supplies 

Telecoms Equipment 

D&T Exemption Certificate 

Letter of exemption are issued through HAC and the Ministry of Finance 

Letter of exemption are issued through HAC and the Ministry of Finance 

Letter of exemption are issued through HAC and the Ministry of Finance 

Letter of exemption are issued through HAC and the Ministry of Finance 

Letter of exemption are issued through HAC and the Ministry of Finance 

Letter of exemption are issued through HAC and the Ministry of Finance 

Invoice 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

AWB/BL/Other Transport Documents 

Yes – Original  

Yes – Original  

Yes – Original  

Yes – Original  

Yes – Original  

Yes – Original  

Donation/Non-Commercial Certificates 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Packing Lists 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Phytosanitary Certificate 

Yes 

No 

No 

No 

No 

No 

Other Documents 

Nutritions require final approval from the Department of Food and Agriculture 

 

Final approval through the Ministry of Health 

 

 

Final approval for import permits through the Ministry of Telecommunications 

Additional Notes 

  • All weights, values and measurements must reconcile and crosscheck with between the negotiable and supporting documents.
  • Sudan uses the Brussels definition of value (BDV).  
  • GMO products are not permitted for import and entry into Sudan.  
  • All customs declaration are submitted in English 

Note: For all food items, the customs clearance process starts with HAC. The following shipping documents should be sent prior arrival of the shipments well before ( 14 days): 

  1. Original NNCR, BoL, Other Transport Document plus two copies. 
  2. Original Certificate of Origin, plus two copies 
  3. Original Phytosanitary Certificate: For Cereals & Pulses shipments. plus two copies 
  4. Original Health Certificates: For other commodities, DSM, Sugar, Oils, CSB plus two copies 
  5. Original Quality Certificate. plus two copies 
  6. Original Fumigation Certificate: For Cereals & Pulses Commodities. plus two copies 
  7. Original NON GMO Certificate : For Cereals, Pulses & CSB. plus two copies 
  8. Original Non Radiation Certificate: For Cereals , Pulses plus two copies . 
  9. Other Documents: Packing List, Gift Certificate & Crop year (for Cereals & Pulses). 


Weight and Value Band 

The value, cargo description on the commercial invoice and the packing declaration must reconcile to the Air waybill and / or the Bill of Lading. Any discrepancy between the supporting documents may delay the clearance or require a new set of documents.  

Customs in Sudan except the US$ amount shown on documentation. 

 

Transit Regime 

Traffic is consigned to the Port of Entry of the country that will be the gateway to transit to the destination country. 

Prior to the arrival of the vessel, permission to transit the Republic of Sudan must be obtained from Humanitarian Aid Commissioner (HAC) and Customs. 

A set of documents must be sent to the Port of Entry prior to the vessels arrival. 

The documents should comprise of the following: 

Sea freight shipments- Original documents 

  1. Bill of Lading (showing cargo in transit and destination country) 
  2. Supplier Invoice(s) 
  3. Packing list 
  4. Import Declaration Form (IDF) from the importer 
  5. Duties and Taxes Exemption Certificates, if any 
  6. Permit for import and transit of food, Agriculture products, drugs and pharmaceutical 

Additional documents required for specific imports 

  1. Certificate of Origin 
  2. Phytosanitary Certificates for imports of agricultural products 
  3. Relevant documents from country of final destinations. 
  4. Permission granted through Humanitarian Aid Commissioner (HAC) and Customs. 

In addition to the outlined documents, any specific documentation requirements, import permits from the country of final destination, should also be included to expedite the transit clearance through the port. The vessel enters the harbour and the consignment is cleared for transit to the country of destination, all customary marine and cargo handling dues are paid to the Ports of Sudan Corporation. The Clearing Agent makes certain all cargo is pre-cleared prior to the vessels arrival. 

The Clearing Agent lodges a cheque as security with customs based on the value of the consignment in transit, this cheque will be returned when the consignment has left the country and tonnage reconcile back to the vessels outturn tonnage at the Port Sudan. 

The clearing agent arranges for Insurance to cover any losses in favor of Sudan Customs and Excise, billing to WFP the cost of the insurance cover  

Transport Waybills are compiled by WFP and given to the clearing agent who issues the manifests in consultation with the Road Transporter. 

The manifest and Waybills are submitted to Customs and permission is granted to proceed. 

The traffic moves in convoys accompanied by a Customs officer from the Anti-Smuggling Unit, all costs incurred for the customs officer is paid by the Transporter. 

Transporters from Port Sudan use vehicles with a carrying capacity of 70 metric tons; the Port Sudan road trucks are transhipped on 30 MT road trucks at El Obeid or Nyala according to the final destination. 

On arrival at the exit Sudan board post, transit documentation is presented to Customs, the tonnage verified and vehicle/s permitted to proceed. 

The schedules (Form 6) from the exit point Customs return to Port Sudan to allow Customs and the Clearing agent to reconcile tonnage dispatched to vessel's outturn. 

File closed by Customs and cheque lodged for security returned to Clearing Agent. 

 


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