Promote:
Export from Sudan
A short guide for companies selling from Sudan: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Sudan sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$4.99 billion
Partners' imports from Sudan were US$4.99 billion in 2023, as 130 buying countries reported them to Comtrade. Sudan has reported no trade to Comtrade since 2018.
Source: UN Comtrade, partners' imports from Sudan, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
Services exportsEstimate
US$913.8 million
Services exports were US$914 million in 2025, estimated in the WTO, UNCTAD and ITC data on UNCTADstat.
Source: UNCTADstat, trade in services, Sudan, 2022 and 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
Top goods exports
2023
- 1. Gold (HS 7108)US$1.03 billion
- 2. Crude petroleum (HS 2709)US$1 billion
- 3. Sesame and other oilseeds (HS 1207)US$712.3 million
- 4. Live sheep and goats (HS 0104)US$693.5 million
- 5. Groundnuts (HS 1202)US$437 million
- 6. Raw cotton (HS 5201)US$246.8 million
- 7. Gum arabic and natural gums (HS 1301)US$153.9 million
- 8. Dried beans, chickpeas and lentils (HS 0713)US$142.9 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Live camels and other live animals (HS 0106)US$125.8 million
- 10. Refined petroleum products (HS 2710)US$105.4 million
- 11. Groundnut oilcake (HS 2305)US$48.4 million
- 12. Live cattle (HS 0102)US$47.7 million
- 13. Bran and milling by-products (HS 2302)US$31.1 million
- 14. Copper scrap (HS 7404)US$26 million
- 15. Hay, alfalfa and fodder crops (HS 1214)US$25.3 million
- 16. Groundnut oil (HS 1508)US$18.8 million
- 17. Sheep and goat meat (HS 0204)US$18.4 million
- 18. Fresh beef (HS 0201)US$15.8 million
- 19. Unwrought lead (HS 7801)US$9.75 million
- 20. Soya beans (HS 1201)US$8.59 million
- Reported by the buying countries as imports, valued by each importing country (CIF or FOB, as each reports it), not at export. Source (opens in a new tab)
- The United Arab Emirates reported 2022 and 2023 but not 2024 or 2025, so 2023 is used; 130 countries reported 2023 against 126 for 2022. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Buyers recorded US$1.00 billion of crude petroleum from Sudan in 2023, while Sudan's central bank shows no crude exports, so the two sources disagree. It is never a picker line. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Gold was 20.7 percent of partners' 2023 records but 58.2 percent of the central bank's 2025 export table; the United Arab Emirates reported nearly all 2023 gold. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, partners' imports from Sudan by product, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
Where the goods go
2023, share of goods exports
- United Arab Emirates21.8%
- China17.7%
- Saudi Arabia16.1%
- Malaysia9.4%
- Egypt7.8%
- India7.1%
- Italy6%
- Singapore3.7%
- Reported by the buying countries as imports, valued by each importing country (CIF or FOB, as each reports it), not at export. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Malaysia's, Italy's and Singapore's 2023 figures are almost all crude and refined petroleum, which Sudan's central bank does not show as its export. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, partners' imports from Sudan, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2023
2. What to look into next
Our reading
Extractive lines (gold, crude petroleum and refined petroleum products) make up about 43% of Sudan’s goods exports, so the totals mostly describe that trade. For another product, look at demand for your own line, market by market.
Sources: UN Comtrade, partners' imports from Sudan by product, 2023 (opens in a new tab); UN Comtrade, partners' imports from Sudan, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports and goods exports
The research marks sesame and other oilseeds, live sheep and goats and groundnuts as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Sudan’s top destinations overall.
Source: UN Comtrade, partners' imports from Sudan by product, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports
Dried beans, chickpeas and lentils grew 159% from 2022 to 2023; live sheep and goats grew 133% from 2022 to 2023. A growing line can mean buyers are looking for more; confirm it with that line’s buyers before you plan around it.
Source: UN Comtrade, partners' imports from Sudan by product, 2023 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports, against the year before
Promote:Global’s reading of the figures above, not a source’s statement, and not advice.
3. Trade agreements
What each arrangement can mean for a seller, and its limits. A preference is conditional: check the rules of origin before you quote.
AGOA
The President did not designate Sudan as a beneficiary for 2026, so AGOA duty-free treatment does not apply to its goods.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; designations are reviewed each year.
Source: Federal Register, AGOA eligibility review notice, June 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 30, 2026
European Union Everything But Arms
Sudan is listed under the Everything But Arms arrangement for least-developed countries in the tariff preferences regulation that applies from January 1, 2027.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; the new regulation repeals the current one on January 1, 2027.
Source: European Union Official Journal, tariff preferences regulation, June 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 22, 2026
United Kingdom Developing Countries Trading Scheme
Sudan is in the Comprehensive Preferences tier, which the scheme sets for least developed countries.
Rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; tier lists are reviewed and can change.
Source: United Kingdom government, Developing Countries Trading Scheme tiers (opens in a new tab) · as of June 19, 2023
African Continental Free Trade Area
Sudan has signed the agreement but had not ratified it by December 2025, so its goods do not yet get the agreement's tariff cuts.
Status comes from a December 2025 report; check the African Union list before you rely on it.
Source: International Trade Administration, AfCFTA update, December 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
4. Steps to export
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Exporting from Sudan
- With the final investment license, a business name, chamber membership and a bank letter, ask for an extract from the register of exporters and importers.National Investment AuthorityOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: National Investment Authority, procedures guide, 2025 (in Arabic) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2025
- Check whether a Sudanese standard covers your product, and ask the standards organization about testing and calibration.Sudanese Standards and Metrology OrganizationOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Sudanese standards organization, standards catalog (in Arabic) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Clear goods with customs at Port Sudan or at one of the three Egyptian border crossings the 2026 decree lists as operating.Sudan Customs ForcesOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Central Bank of Sudan, foreign trade digest, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Check the ports corporation pages for ship movements and port tariffs before you book space at Port Sudan.Sea Ports CorporationOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Sea Ports Corporation, home page, October 2026 (in Arabic) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Show 1 more export step
- Bring the export earnings back through a bank, following the central bank's 2026 policies and your bank's instructions.Central Bank of SudanOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Central Bank of Sudan, 2026 policies page (in Arabic) (opens in a new tab) · as of 2026
5. Organizations that help exporters
Start with Customs Forces and CBOS. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Export development and market information
- Meet requirements
Central bank
CBOS
Central Bank of Sudan
Publishes the foreign trade digest and monthly economic brief, and sets the central bank's 2026 policies on foreign exchange and export earnings.
- Find finance
Export credit and investment insurer
ICIEC
Islamic Corporation for the Insurance of Investment and Export Credit
Multilateral body
Offers export credit and investment insurance to companies in its member countries, which include Sudan.
Visit ICIEC (opens in a new tab)Source: ICIEC, member states page, read October 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs authority
Customs Forces
Sudan Customs Forces
Is named in the prime minister's October 2026 decisions as a body that implements the new duty and VAT exemptions.
Seaports authority
Ports Corporation
Sea Ports Corporation
Runs Port Sudan and the other seaports, and publishes ship movements, port tariffs and port statistics online.
Visit Ports Corporation (opens in a new tab)Source: Sea Ports Corporation, home page, October 2026 (in Arabic) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Meet requirements
National standards body
SSMO
Sudanese Standards and Metrology Organization
Is the reference body for national standards, quality control, measurement and calibration, and publishes a catalog of Sudanese standards.
Visit SSMO (opens in a new tab)Source: Sudanese standards organization, overview page (in Arabic) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
- Meet requirements
Livestock and fisheries ministry
Animal Wealth Ministry
Ministry of Animal Wealth and Fisheries
Is the federal ministry for livestock and fisheries in the 2026 cabinet; ask it about animal health rules before you export live animals or meat.
Show 1 more organization
Minerals ministry
Minerals Ministry
Ministry of Minerals
Is the federal ministry for minerals in the 2026 cabinet; ask it about mining and gold export rules before you trade.
Visit Minerals Ministry (opens in a new tab)Source: Sudan portal, minerals ministry page, September 2026 (in Arabic) (opens in a new tab) · as of September 30, 2026
6. Worth knowing
Currency and settlement
Inflation was 28.5 percent in September 2026, and exchange bureaus sold dollars at 6,065.32 pounds against 4,624.24 at commercial banks on September 30.
What to do: Confirm the rate and the settlement route with your bank before you price a contract.
Sources: Central Bank of Sudan, economic brief, September 2026 (opens in a new tab); Central Bank of Sudan, 2026 policies (in Arabic) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Trade disruption
The central bank's goods exports fell from US$3.63 billion in 2023 to US$3.22 billion in 2025 (amended data), during the conflict.
What to do: Ask your buyer and shipper which ports and routes are open before you commit to delivery dates.
Sources: Central Bank of Sudan, economic brief, September 2026 (opens in a new tab); Central Bank of Sudan, economic brief, July 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Gold and livestock concentration
Gold was 58.2 percent and live animals 17.7 percent of the central bank's preliminary 2025 customs export table of US$2.64 billion.
What to do: Check the central bank's export table for your product line before you set volume targets.
Source: Central Bank of Sudan, foreign trade digest, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
Conflict and travel advice
The United Kingdom's FCDO advises against all travel to Sudan because of the ongoing military conflict, and its embassy in Khartoum is closed.
What to do: Check insurance and staff safety rules before any visit, and arrange meetings by video where you can.
Sources: FCDO, Sudan travel advice, May 2026 (opens in a new tab); OFAC, Sudan and Darfur sanctions program page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 31, 2026
7. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare potential export marketsSee which markets import what you sell, ranked on public trade data, and read each country before you commit.
- Check duties and document requirementsCheck the duty, the origin conditions for a preferential rate and the documents a shipment needs.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
Turn this guide into your Sudan project.
Use Promote:Global to explore markets, understand requirements and organize your next steps.
Promote:Sudan is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 31, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.