Sudan Customs ClearanceAdditional Information

All items that are imported into Sudan require to be cleared through the Department of Customs at the point of entry.

The customs processes and documentation requirements may change from time to time, with minimum pre advice or amendments being Gazetted, thus it is important for clearing agents to regularly check with Customs HQ & MoFA regarding any changes or amendments.

Process to be followed:

IMPORTATION

Customs Procedures

The required paper work essentialfor procedure for the import and clearance through customs point at Port of Entry (POE), Port Sudan and Khartoum International Airport or any other customs entry point to Sudan:

1. Original Bill of Lading (B/L) or Air Waybill (AWB)

2. Original invoice showing Cost and Freight (C and F) value or Cost, Insurance and Freight (CIF) value

3. Certificate of origin

4. Detailed packing list

5. Heath certificate and/or analysis certificate

6. Bank of Sudan IM form

7. Government exemptions, concessions and/or approvals given to client

8. Printing and press permit for printed advertising material

9. National Security (NS) clearance (for any items that may have a security risk)

10. National Telecom Cooperation (NTC) approval for telecom equipment

11. Ministry of Health approval for pharmaceutical and medical equipment

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. Seafreight 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.

Importation Procedures via Port Sudan (Sea) and Khartoum International Airport (Air)

All importers need registration with the Import/Export Registry at the Ministry of Foreign Trade.

All commercial imports into Sudan require an Import Declaration Form (IDF).

When the importer applies for an Import Declaration Form (IDF), the information to be filled in is provided by the

supplier with a Proforma Invoice.

a. The following are the data required in the Proforma Invoice

i. Specification and clear description of the quantity and quality of the goods

ii. Free on Board (FOB) value

iii. Freight Value (If applicable)

iv. Currency of Payment

v. Mode of Transportation

vi. Country of Origin of the goods issued by the competent authority in the Country of origin.

vii. Insurance value (if applicable)

b. Proforma Invoice for transport and Insurance Certificate if not provided by

the supplier.

(Note: Sudan uses the BDV or ‘Brussels Definition of Value’)

Importers or their appointed customs agent must present:

  • Import Declaration Form (IDF)
  • Commercial Certificate of Origin
  • Quarantine License (where necessary)
  • Sudanese Standards and Metrology Organization (SSMO) requirements or other documents for specific type of goods and complete bank formalities

General Info:

Importers must pay the required duties, taxes and fees and receive an official release order for the goods.

Duties, taxes and fees are payable before releasing the goods expect direct delivery goods.

Sudan has no mandatory Pre-shipment Inspection. Importers are advised to have a Pre-shipment Inspection Certificate issued by International Cargo Inspectors registered by SSMO (Sudanese Standards and Metrology Organization)

A double check inspection might be conducted by the SSMO.

Sudan does not apply any quantitative import regulations.

All goods may be imported into Sudan expect those goods that are prohibited by social values orsecurity considerations.

Cargo Clearance

1. Normal Clearance

Manifest Department:

  • Review the Bill of Lading or Airway Bill with the shipment agent cargo
  • manifest (consignment, quantities and weights).
  • Enter Customs Form 1 data into the customs system.
  • Receive a serial number for the Customs Form 1.

Tariff Department:

  • Review the Customs Form 1 and support documents.
  • Give examination instruction.
  • Give analysis instruction to the laboratory, if it’s applicable.3
  • Examination Committee:
  • Nominate the Customs officer.
  • Officer to examine the cargo physically and write the particulars in Form 48.
  • Submit the documents to the Tariff Department.

Sudanese Standards and Metrology Organization (SSMO):

  • Take sample from all cargo.
  • Send sample to the laboratory.
  • Issue certificate upon approval.

Customs Laboratory:

  • Receive a sample from the cargo.
  • Analyze the sample for selected items.
  • Issue certificate upon approval
  • Send to the Tariff Department.

Tariff Department:

  • Serial number of the cargo due to the physical exams and laboratory result.
  • Confirm or correct rate.
  • Do the necessary calculations using the invoices data.
  • Check the Sea Port Corporation (SPC) letter.
  • Issue payment note.

Permissions Department:

  • Check all customs laws have been followed.
  • Review the IM letter from Central Bank of Sudan.
  • Review Sudanese Standards and Metrology Organization (SSMO) exam result.

General Department:

  • Final check.
  • Issue payment notice or release if from Duty and Tax.

Accounts Department:

  • Amount settlement to cover any duties

Clearance Department:

  • Issue exit pass – release of consignment
  • Final declaration and release.
  • Certificate of import.

a. PHASE ONE

Manifest Department:

  • Review the Bill of Lading or Airway Bill with the shipment agent cargo
  • manifest (consignment, quantities and weights).
  • Enter Customs Form 1 date into the customs system.
  • Receive a serial number for the Customs Form 1

Tariff Department:

  • Review the Customs Form 1 and support documents.
  • Nominate the deposit.

Permissions Department:

  • Review the IM letter.

General Department:

  • Final check.
  • Issue payment notice.
  • Accounts Department:
  • Amount settlement.
  • Clearance Department:
  • Issue exit pass- consignment release
  • Send temporary declaration and release to the Customs Gate

Gate:

  • Review the temporary declaration and release, to allow cargo to pass out.
  • Documents to the General Department to finalize the clearance formalities.

b.PHASE TWO

Tariff Department:

  • Check the final and correct quantities against the Customs Form 1 and support documents.
  • Set the rates, calculate the final amounts and issue Assessment Note.
  • Permissions Department:
  • Review Sudanese Standards and Metrology Organization (SSMO) exams results.

GeneralDepartment:

  • Final check.
  • Issue payment notice

Accounts Department:

  • Amount settlement.,based on tariffs , duty and VAT
  • Refund

Clearance Department:

  • Final Declaration and Release of Consignment.
  • Certificate of import

SEA TRANSPORT

Sea Port Corporation

Discharge containers from the vessel and stacktat the terminal.

Transport the containers by working order / delivery release order from the terminal to the examination area.

After clearance, shipping agency to submit the Delivery Order and the customs to release (and issue the bill of charges where /if applicable) against clearances.

Collect the charges (Port and Cargo)

To avoid demurage, delivery release orders should be given in appropriate time to remove the containers (within 48 hours).

Shipping Agents

The ship’s agent will lodge manifests with Customs and Port Authorities ease containers against ect.The agent representative receives the empty containers after review of the container condition. Equipment Interchange Report (EIR).

Clearing Agents

Receive the shipments documents from Shipping and / Port of Loading .

Review the papers (3 original Bill of Lading, 3 original invoices, packing list, 3 copies

F.IM, and Sea Port Corporation (SPC) letter. ( Refer to paragraph d )

Submit the Bill of Lading to Shipping Line who issue Delivery order without receiving ‘ collect’ payments as outlined on the Bill of Lading.

Prepare the Customs Declaration and submit it to Manifest Department to the correct

Custom Office (North or South Port) prior to the arrival of the vessel.

Clearing stages step by step actioned by importer or accredited clearing agent

  • Go for tariff to know exam committee.
  • Open and prepare containers for customs officer inspectors and SSMO staff
  • Take report Form 48 to tariff.
  • Taking samples to customs lab.
  • Check pad locks after closing.
  • Taking analysis reports and certificates to customs.
  • Follow the other depts. for any query.
  • Settle the customs duties.
  • Collect the exit pass, final release, delivery order and the certificate of import
  • Place the Delivery Order and customs release at Sea Port Cooperation.
  • Take the Bill of Charge amount to the office to prepare the Cheque.
  • Settle the charges and collect the Bill of lading or Delivery release order.
  • Take the Move order with the other Documents to the Gate.
  • Notify the Depot staff by the W/D time to prepare the warehouse.
  • Prepare the Trucks
  • Start withdraws the contents (As listed packing list) to the Depot.
  • Follow up the handling and the Truck movement by co-ordination with Depot.

Check and agree with Gate officer and Depot staff by comparing the accurate quantities vs. Delivery Receipts.

  • Close up the operation with Customs Gate.
  • Take the discharge Receipt from the Ship agent
  • Contact the agent office to finalize the task,andclose the files.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FOOD COMMODITIES:

A)General Information

Documents required for importation of food items:

There is an official one-pager on this, which describes the requirements for each of the commodities WFP imports into Sudan. The latest update was in July 2011 (see ANNEX). 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).

WFP Sudan would like to highlight certain national requirements:

  • Avoid (as much as possible): Late receiving of the shipping documents from next door loading ports- short in transit time:
  • Prior notifications and the required documentation faster than usual for us to avoid demurages.
  • Avoid (as much as possible) the Wrong and contradicting details in the different certificates issued – The Phytosanitary Certificates should be matched with the Bill of lading figures.
  • As per the Sudanese Standards and Metrology Organization (SSMO), in reference to bagging and bag marking of commodities, and expiry dates, that should be communicated to the donors while confirming in-kind contributions.
  • Appropriate bagging and bag marking that clearly states production dates are essential and helps avoid clearance problems and complications resulting from damaged bags.

- Packaging: Commodities must be packaged in good, strong and appropriate packages which do not contaminate the commodities nor affect their quality.

-Labeling: The container and documents (on documents only in case of bulk containers) should show the following information:

  • Name of Product, Type of product, Date of harvest (month – year), Date of packaging (month – year), Expiry period, Name of packaging entity and trade mark (if any) or name of supplying company, Net weight in kg, Country of origin, Expiry Periods .

- Cereal to be consumed within 24 months of crop year.

- Yellow Split Peas to be consumed within 12 months of crop year.

- Veg Oil in plastic packages to be consumed within 12 months of production date.

- Veg Oil in metal tins to be consumed within 18 months of production date.

-Others (Sugar, CSB, DSM):

- Sugar must be consumed within 24 months of production date.

-CSB must be consumed within 12 months of production date.

-DSM in paper package with plastic inner lining to be used within 12 months of production date and DSM in metal tins with aluminum cover to be used within 18 months of production date.

Embargoes:None.

Prohibited items:All goods can be imported to Sudan except those which are prohibited by social values or security considerations. These goods are spirits and wines, narcotics, gambling equipment, arms and ammunition, protected species, imitations and counterfeit products.

General Restrictions:GMO commodities are not allowed into the country.

B)Transit Regime

  • Accustomed good shall be transported under customs control from customs office to another or entry to or clearance office. Goods in transit should be transported through the prescribed routes designated by Customs within a given limited time period as set by Customs.
  • Processing of Transit operations:

Shall follow the Sudanese Customs principles and standards: The declarant shall commit himself upon requesting for transit operation to the responsibility of paying duty of transit goods, follow the prescribed Customs routes for transit together with finally availing the transit the transited goods to Customs office of destination and notify same to the office of departure. The Carrier as well has to commit itself to Customs for transiting the shipment to Customs Transit points & clearance control offices within a limited time and through prescribed routes. Transit request, in a way of filling in the Sudanese Customs transit application and permit format should be forwarded to clearance and transit Customs office all with relevant supporting documentation according to the Sudanese requirements.

Please see more information on 'Transit Regime' in the respective chapter further down.

C)Export Regime

  • Same procedures of Import/ Transit Regimes.

D)Process of the documents:

Through WFP’ s governmental counterpart HAC (Humanitarian Aid Commission) 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).
  • Final clearance by one of our C&F Agents at discharge Port: Will take about Five to seven working days.
  • The process time to get the above mentioned exemptions - as per attached Sudan clearance document.

General Information

Custom Information / Comments
Document Requirements / Exemption applications must be requested prior to an importation, through the Ministry of Foreign affairs 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. sSee Para 2.4.4.2 Transit Regime).
Embargoes / There are no embargos 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 , certain items have exception respect of the diplomatic community.
General Restrictions / GMO commodities are not permitted; the importation of wine and spirits is restricted . Nutrition required approval through the Department of Food Administration. Medicine / Vaccines etc. via the Ministry of Health. Telecommunication items persmission through National Telcom Corporation.

Customs Clearance Document Requirements

Food / Shelter,Wash and education / Medicines / Vehicles and Spare parts / Staff and office supplies / Telecoms equiment
Invoice / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
AWB, BoL, or Other Transport Documents / Yes, Original / Yes, Original / Yes, Original / Yes, Original / Yes, Original / Yes, Original
Donation Non-Commercial Certificate / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Packing List / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes / Yes
Other Documents / Nutritions require final approval through the Department of Food Adminstration / - / Final Approval through the Ministry of Health / - / - / Final Approval for Import permits is through the Ministry of Telecommuncations

Other comments

The customs processes and documentation requirements may change from time to time ,with minimum pre advice or amendments being Gazetted, thus it is important for Clearing agents to regularly check with customs/MoFA regarding any changes or amendments.

All weight, measurements and value must reconcile and cross check between the various negotiable and supporting documents (see 2.4.4.), Sudan uses the BDV or ‘Brussels definition of Value’.

No GMO products, are permitted for import to Sudan.

All customs declarations are submitted in English.

The value, cargo description on the commercial invoice and the packing declarationmustreconcile to the Airwaybill and / or the Bill of Lading. Any discrepancy between the supporting documents the negotiable shipping documents may delay the clearance or require a new set of documents.