Importing Personal Effects into Sudan: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2026 · Download the Sudan Import Guide (PDF)

Personal effects

• Copy of passport
• Detailed inventory in English, dated, valued, and signed by the shipper
• Tax Identification Number (TIN) for Resident & Non-Diplomat
• Packing Lists in English
• Invoice for all new items
• Letter from former employer confirming end of contract from the Country of Origin
• Bill of Lading / AWB
• Work Permit (for non-Diplomat)
• Tax Exemption letter (for Diplomat, for NGOs)

• All imports should arrive in the country after the importer has acquired a work permit from the immigration. Customs allows you 90 days in which you can import your used personal effects duty free and thereafter, duties will be paid in full.
• If a container is not on a Through Bill of lading (TBL), we will need two original bills of Lading 15 days prior to arrival of the vessel in the Mombasa port. Otherwise, port storage charges will accrue and will be charged to shipper or account.
• To process the exemption for Diplomatic shipment by road, duty exemption process must start at least 1 month before the container arrival at the entry border.
• The shipper must be present at arrival of the shipment and must be in position of his work permit in case of Non—Diplomat.
• Documents to be express mailed 30 days before arrival of the shipment, for the shipper’s employer to apply for the duty exemption,
• Original passport with valid entry visa or work permit must be available 1 day before arrival of the cargo for a period of 2-3 days for customs purposes.

• Import taxes are payable on all personal effects unless Tax exemption letter is provided.
• Non diplomatic goods are subject to 100% customs inspection / customs verification.
• Diplomatic shipments are exempted from inspection / verification and duties or taxes but are subject to supervision and storage fees.
• Consumables in huge volume are not considered as used personal effects and are subjected to duties and taxes.
• Non-Diplomatic shippers will have to pay duties and taxes on all new items.
• Alcohol: allowed to maximum of 1 litre for spirit and 2 litres for wine, more than that will incur duties and taxes.

Firearms and ammunition

• Prohibited

Prohibited items

• Unlawful drugs
• Pornography
• Radio communication equipment
• CB Used vehicles (for non-diplomatic only)
• Guns
• Petroleum products
• Pornographic material
• Drugs
• Ivory
• Rhino horn
• Bush meat
• Giraffe skin
• Elephant Tusk and hair
• Pangolin
• Lion skin

Sudan Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

Source: IAM Country Guide · Updated 2026-09-05 · Download the Sudan Country Guide (PDF)

Documents

Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.

• Copy of passport
• Sudanese National ID number (for Sudanese nationals)
• Original Bill of Lading (OBL), express release, or Airway Bill (AWB)
• Detailed inventory in English or Arabic, dated, valued, and signed by the owner
• Letter of employment
• Tax ID number
• Import permit for printing machines (non-diplomatic only)
• Serial numbers of all printing machines (e.g., printers, fax machines) — compulsory for returning citizens

• A1 Form, obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the shipper's diplomatic mission
• Diplomatic exemption form (the diplomatic organization applies with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
• Yellow copy of MFA form, sent by the Ministry to Sudan Customs (diplomatic organization coordinates this)

Specific Information

Current operational context: Port Sudan (Red Sea State) is the primary functioning entry point as of 2026. Khartoum and many inland areas have been severely affected by the conflict. Confirm routing, access conditions, and agent availability before shipping.

Import taxes are payable on all personal effects for non-diplomats and returning Sudanese nationals. Customs duties are levied based on the assessed value of items as determined by Sudanese Customs.

All non-diplomatic shipments are subject to physical Customs inspection and inspection fees. Documents should reach the destination agent at least 4 days before the shipment arrives. Customs clearance takes approximately 1 week for sea shipments and 48 hours for air shipments under normal operating conditions — though current conflict conditions may substantially affect these timelines.

CDs, DVDs, scanners, and printers in a shipment can delay Customs clearance, as all such items must be screened and permits may be required for printers and scanners.

Diplomats with "A Facility" status are exempt from inspection and duties, but the MFA yellow form must be provided to Sudan Customs by the diplomatic mission.

ISPM 15 compliance is required for all wood packaging material.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

• Unlawful drugs and narcotics
• Alcohol (prohibited for general commercial import and personal use under Sudanese law)
• Pornographic materials
• Potassium bromides
• Bleaching creams
• Counterfeit goods and currency
• Weapons: firearms, swords, knives, and all similar items including ornamental, toy, and antique versions PERMIT REQUIRED for licensed firearms
• Weapon parts and ammunition
• Radio communication equipment and CB radios
• Used/second-hand vehicles (for non-diplomatic importers)
• Wildlife and wildlife products covered by CITES (ivory, skins, live specimens of protected species) CITES

• Firearms and ammunition: import permit from the Intelligence Division of the Ministry of Interior is required PERMIT REQUIRED
• Satellite dishes: special authorization from the Ministry of Communications is required for returning residents PERMIT REQUIRED
• Photocopiers and printers: import permit required; serial numbers must be provided PERMIT REQUIRED
• Plants: restricted
• Food items, including seeds: permission from the Ministry of Interior is required PERMIT REQUIRED
• Foreign currency: must be declared on arrival
• Alcohol: prohibited for general import (see Prohibited Items); included in the prohibited commercial imports list, though possession may be tolerated in small quantities for personal use in some diplomatic contexts — verify with destination agent
• Narcotics, pharmaceuticals, and medicines: subject to restriction; contact destination agent for applicable regulations

Note: A number of items are subject to a temporary prohibition on commercial imports that do not apply to personal effects. These include furniture (wood, metal, aluminium), live animals, meat, fish, non-alcoholic drinks, sweets, paint, cereals-based products, leather items, silk products, items containing feathers, umbrellas, straw items, dairy products and eggs (except powdered milk), plastic items, and trees/plants/natural flowers. All of these are permitted when imported as bona fide personal effects.

Consignment Instructions

Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences between air and sea shipments.

Documents must reach the destination agent at least 4 days before the shipment arrives. All non-diplomatic shipments will be physically inspected; plan for inspection fees accordingly. Printing machines, scanners, CDs, and DVDs will be screened and can significantly delay clearance.

Conflict context: As of mid-2026, Port Sudan is the main functioning international entry point. Khartoum's airport and port infrastructure have sustained damage from the ongoing conflict. Verify current port and inland routing conditions with the destination agent before booking. Clearance timelines stated in this guide reflect pre-conflict normal conditions and may be substantially longer in the current environment.

ISPM 15 compliance is required for all wood packaging materials.