Sudan Customs: Calls to Scrap Advance Import Declaration System

Sudanese importers and customs experts are calling for the immediate cancellation of a new Advance Cargo Declaration (ACD) system, recently expanded by Sudan Customs, due to concerns about increased import costs, higher consumer prices, and the controversial involvement of a foreign company in handling sensitive commercial data. This system, initially introduced at Port Sudan’s Southern Port and now extended to other crossings, requires cargo data and documents to be submitted before shipments arrive, ostensibly to speed up clearance and promote digitalization.

This development highlights a tension between purported trade facilitation and practical trade barriers within Sudan's regulatory framework. The ACD system, while intended to streamline customs clearance, is perceived by stakeholders as imposing additional financial burdens, particularly through new fees denominated in US dollars, which further strain the national currency and increase costs for businesses and consumers. Legally, the involvement of a UAE-based foreign company in collecting these fees and accessing sensitive commercial data raises significant questions regarding data privacy, national security, and the transparency of administrative outsourcing within Sudan's customs regime. The concerns articulated by businessman Muawiya Abazid underscore the ill-timing of such a system amidst Sudan's wartime conditions and existing difficulties in securing essential goods.

The primary parties involved are Sudan Customs, the implementing authority, and the coalition of Sudanese importers and customs experts, who are advocating for its repeal. The UAE-based foreign company's role is also central to the controversy, as is the call for intervention from the Finance Minister and Director-General of Customs. For legal practitioners, it is crucial to advise importing clients on the immediate compliance requirements of the expanded ACD system, including the financial implications of the new fee structure and currency conversion risks. Furthermore, attorneys should monitor any potential legal challenges to the system's legality or administrative fairness, particularly concerning data handling by foreign entities and the broader impact on Sudan's trade policy. The outcome of the call to scrap the system is not reported in the excerpt.