Countries · SL
Sierra Leone: sanctions and trade risk
As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 6 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Sierra Leone.Lists last checked .
Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓
No elevated country indicator for Sierra Leone in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Sierra Leone may still be on a list.
On the sanctions lists
6 entries on the official lists name Sierra Leone — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.
| List | Entries | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) | 6 | 6 | — | — |
Latest changes
No new listings or removals naming Sierra Leone recorded yet.
Related
Logistics profile
Sierra Leone: logistics and trade
West African seaport gateway / Mining export
Sierra Leone (ISO code SL) lies on the Atlantic coast of West Africa, bordering Guinea and Liberia. It is a presidential republic with a tropical climate, a rainy season from May to October and the dry Harmattan season from November to April. Its economy rests on mining (iron ore, bauxite, rutile, diamonds, gold), agriculture and fisheries. Exports are dominated by mineral commodities and agricultural goods, while the country relies heavily on imports of food, petroleum products and manufactured goods. Logistically the deep-water port of Freetown (Queen Elizabeth II Quay) is the central gateway, complemented by Lungi airport and road corridors to neighbouring countries. Imports are subject to a 15 percent Goods and Services Tax and the ECOWAS Common External Tariff. The national currency is the new leone (SLE), which in 2022 replaced the old leone (SLL) at 1000 to 1.
- Capital
- Freetown
- Population
- 8,642,022
- Area
- 71,740 km²
- Currency
- Sierra Leonean leone (SLE)
- Continent
- Africa
- Region
- West Africa / ECOWAS
- Economic area
- ECOWAS (CEDEAO) / AfCFTA
- Religions
- Islam, Christianity
- Access to the sea
- Yes
Transport modes Sea · Road · Air · Rail
- Current situation
- The main container handling runs through the Freetown Terminal (Queen Elizabeth II Quay). Expansion of port and road infrastructure and a new airport terminal in Lungi strengthen connectivity.
- Seasonal conditions
- Tropical rainy season from May to October with heavy rainfall, possible flooding and more difficult road transport; Harmattan dry season from November to April.
Main seaports
- Pepel
Pepel (SL PEP): a single-commodity iron-ore export terminal in Sierra Leone, fed by rail from Marampa. No containers or general cargo — use Freetown.
- Freetown
Freetown (SL FNA): Queen Elizabeth II Quay, Sierra Leone's main seaport. Container and bulk terminals, import-heavy trade. Alternatives: Conakry, Monrovia.
Main cargo airports
- Lungi International AirportFNA
Lungi/Freetown (FNA) is Sierra Leone's only international airport — green 2023 terminal, SHP cargo terminal, belly freight, reached by ferry across the estuary.
Road corridors
- Freetown-Bo-Kenema
- Freetown-Makeni-Kabala
- Trans-West-African Highway (Conakry-Freetown-Monrovia)
Rail corridors
- Tonkolili-Pepel (iron ore railway, not public)
Main trade lanes
- Sierra Leone-China
- Sierra Leone-EU (NL/BE/DE)
- Sierra Leone-ECOWAS region
Customs and import
Customs authority National Revenue Authority (NRA) - Customs Services Department
- Import customs system
- Electronic clearance via ASYCUDA World (replaces ASYCUDA++); ship manifest 48 hours before arrival. The customs authority is the NRA Customs Services Department; import duty according to the ECOWAS Common External Tariff (CET).
- Export customs system
- Exports are likewise cleared by the NRA Customs Services Department using ASYCUDA World. Rough diamonds only with a Kimberley Process certificate; mining exports run through the special ports of Pepel and Nitti.
- Import VAT
- Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 15 percent on imports (GST Act 2009, NRA); basic food and certain services are exempt or zero-rated.
- Proofs of origin and trade agreements
- ECOWAS certificate of origin for regional free circulation (ETLS); Sierra Leone is a State Party to the AfCFTA. EU market access as an LDC, duty- and quota-free via Everything But Arms (origin declaration/EUR.1).
- Restricted and prohibited goods
- Rough diamonds only with a Kimberley Process certificate; licence requirement for, among others, weapons, ammunition, pharmaceuticals and certain agricultural goods; bans on counterfeit goods and non-compliant food.
Typical import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading / Air waybill
- ASYCUDA import declaration
- Certificate of origin
- Import licence for goods subject to licensing
Typical export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of lading
- ASYCUDA export declaration
- Certificate of origin (ECOWAS / EUR.1)
- Kimberley certificate for rough diamonds
Logistics conditions
- Customs complexity
- Medium to high
- Customs delays
- Medium to high
- Port congestion
- Medium
- Dangerous goods relevance
- Medium
- Pharma and cold chain relevance
- Medium
- E-commerce relevance
- Low to medium
Trade
Top import partners
Top export partners
Top import goods
- Food
- Petroleum products
- Machinery
- Vehicles
- Chemicals
Top export goods
- Diamonds
- Rutile
- Bauxite
- Gold
- Cocoa
Typical cargo
- Iron ore
- Bauxite
- Rutile
- Diamonds
- Cocoa
- Fish
- Petroleum products (import)
- Rice and food (import)
Latest logistics news
- Ocean Freight: Service Disruptions, New FAK Rates, and Congestion in West Africa21 Oct 2026
39 departures cancelled until early November. Shipping lines test higher list rates, while West African ports struggle with long waiting times and reefer surcharges.
Logistics questions
What import tax applies in Sierra Leone?
Most imports are subject to a 15 percent Goods and Services Tax (GST) under the GST Act 2009, administered by the National Revenue Authority. Staple foods and certain services are exempt or zero-rated.
Which customs tariff applies?
Sierra Leone applies the ECOWAS Common External Tariff with bands of 0, 5, 10, 20 and 35 percent. Goods are classified under the Harmonized System (HS).
How are imports cleared?
Clearance is handled electronically through ASYCUDA World by the NRA Customs Services Department. The ship's manifest must be lodged 48 hours before arrival.
Which port is the main gateway?
The deep-water port of Freetown with the Queen Elizabeth II Quay is the central gateway; container handling is operated by Freetown Terminal. Mining exports use the dedicated ports of Pepel and Nitti.
Does Sierra Leone benefit from trade preferences?
As a least developed country (LDC) Sierra Leone has duty-free, quota-free EU market access under Everything But Arms. It is also an ECOWAS member and an AfCFTA party.
What applies to rough diamond exports?
Rough diamonds may only be exported with a Kimberley Process certificate. Sierra Leone is a participant in the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme.
Which currency is used in Sierra Leone?
The national currency is the new leone (SLE), which in 2022 replaced the old leone (SLL) at a rate of 1000 to 1.
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Powered by Freight Academy, verified 29 Jun 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.