Sudan Al-Burhan: Import Ban Cancellation Decision Issued, Duties Exempted

• General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan has directed the lifting of Sudan's import ban and the exemption of essential food items from customs duties.
• The National Chamber of Importers welcomed these directives but urged for their formal implementation, including the cancellation of Decision No. 74.
• The directives also aim to reverse a previous ban on approximately 36 important commodities, which had contributed to rising prices and market disruptions.
• The Chamber additionally called for a reduction in the customs dollar and the abolition of the Advance Cargo Declaration (ACD) system.
• These measures are intended to address economic imbalances, enhance market competition, and alleviate the financial burdens on Sudanese citizens.

To solidify these potential benefits, Jalal al-Din underscored the urgent necessity for the Prime Minister to issue a clear and explicit decree formally canceling Decision No. 74, thereby providing the legal framework for the Sudan Al-Burhan import ban cancellation decision.

General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who chairs Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council, has issued directives aimed at significantly altering the nation's trade landscape. These instructions include the lifting of a general ban on imported goods and the exemption of essential food items from customs duties. The National Chamber of Importers in Sudan has expressed its approval of these directives, viewing them as a crucial step towards economic relief. However, the Chamber has simultaneously urged for these pronouncements to be formally codified into explicit decisions to ensure their effective implementation.

The Sudanese markets are currently grappling with considerable economic strain, marked by a sharp escalation in the prices of vital commodities. This inflationary trend has intensified the daily struggles faced by citizens and placed additional financial burdens on households across the country. Reports published on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, indicate that Al-Burhan specifically instructed the Ministries of Trade and Finance to revoke a series of economic measures that were put in place several months prior, most notably the prohibition on importing approximately 36 key products.

The core of the recent directives from Abdel Fattah al-Burhan centers on reversing previous trade restrictions. Specifically, the instruction targets the cancellation of Sudan's import ban, known as Decision No. 74, which had previously restricted the entry of numerous essential goods. This move is anticipated to alleviate supply chain pressures and increase the availability of various products within the local market. Furthermore, the directive for Sudan customs duty exemption for essential food items is expected to directly impact consumer prices, potentially making staple goods more affordable for the general populace.

Beyond the immediate directives, the National Chamber of Importers has outlined several additional critical demands for comprehensive reform. These include a call for a reduction in the customs dollar exchange rate, which directly influences the cost of imports, and the complete abolition of the Advance Cargo Declaration (ACD) system. The Chamber believes that these supplementary measures are essential to foster a more efficient and less burdensome import environment, thereby supporting businesses and ultimately benefiting Sudanese consumers.

Al-Sadiq Jalal al-Din, the President of the National Chamber of Importers, lauded the attention given by the head of the Sovereign Council to the severe economic and livelihood consequences that stemmed from the earlier import ban. In a press statement reviewed by Sudan Tribune on Wednesday, Jalal al-Din highlighted how the previous decision had led to significant market disruptions, caused financial harm to importers, and imposed undue hardships on the citizenry. He articulated that Al-Burhan's current trade directives represent a pivotal move toward rectifying the economic imbalances created by the former policy.

The Chamber's president further elaborated that these proposed changes are expected to facilitate the smoother flow of goods, foster greater competition among market players, and effectively curb monopolistic practices and unwarranted price hikes. Additionally, he suggested that the directives would aid in combating smuggling activities and reduce the prevalence of exceptions and settlements that he claimed had previously disadvantaged citizens. To solidify these potential benefits, Jalal al-Din underscored the urgent necessity for the Prime Minister to issue a clear and explicit decree formally canceling Decision No. 74, thereby providing the legal framework for the Sudan Al-Burhan import ban cancellation decision.

Lawyers and compliance officers should closely monitor for the official issuance of a formal decision to implement Al-Burhan's directives, specifically the cancellation of Sudan's import ban (Decision No. 74), exemption of essential food items from customs, and potential abolition of the ACD system. This will necessitate an immediate review of import/export compliance, customs valuation, and supply chain strategies for clients engaged in Sudanese trade.

Source: Original reporting via Sudan Tribune