Countries · SO
Somalia: sanctions and trade risk
As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 11 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Somalia.Lists last checked .
Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓
A sanctions programme concerning Somalia is in force — typically an arms embargo or targeted measures against listed persons and entities. Ordinary civilian goods are usually not restricted; arms, related material and listed parties are.
Sources: EU Sanctions Map — Somalia (UN) (12 Sept 2024) · UN Security Council — Sanctions (15 active regimes) (24 Oct 2026) · SECO — Sanktionsverordnungen (index of 28 Swiss regimes) (24 Oct 2026) · reviewed 24 Oct 2026
By sanctions regime
The indicator above is the strictest of these. Which regimes are relevant to a shipment depends on many connections — dispatch country, company location, incorporation, nationality, ownership, banks, goods origin. The check selects them from your inputs in a simplified way; UN measures take effect through each country's implementing law.
| Regime | Indicator | What applies |
|---|---|---|
| UN | Sanctions programme | Measures against Al-Shabaab, including an arms embargo — implemented by UN member states in their own law. |
| EU | Sanctions programme | Implements the UN measures. |
| Switzerland | Sanctions programme | Implements the UN measures. |
| UK | Sanctions programme | Implements the UN measures. |
| US | Sanctions programme | Implements the UN measures. |
On the sanctions lists
11 entries on the official lists name Somalia — 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) | 9 | 9 | — | — |
| UK Sanctions List (FCDO) | 1 | 1 | — | — |
| Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Latest changes
No new listings or removals naming Somalia recorded yet.
Related
Logistics profile
Somalia: logistics and trade
Coastal state in the Horn of Africa; exporter of livestock and agricultural products; transit to Ethiopia via Berbera
Somalia (ISO code: SO) lies on the Horn of Africa, bordering Ethiopia, Djibouti and Kenya, with coastlines on the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. It is a federal republic with decentralised administration, and security and state stability vary considerably by region. The climate is mostly arid to semi-arid with two rainy seasons (March-May and October-December). The economy relies on agriculture, livestock, fisheries and trade, while industry remains limited. Somalia mainly exports livestock, fish and agricultural goods and depends heavily on imports of food, fuel, machinery and consumer goods. The ports of Mogadishu, Berbera and Kismayo and the international airports are central to freight flows. The national currency is the Somali shilling (SOS), though the US dollar dominates everyday transactions. Somalia joined the East African Community in 2024 and ratified the AfCFTA in 2025.
- Capital
- Mogadishu
- Population
- 19,009,151
- Area
- 637,657 km²
- Currency
- Somali shilling (SOS); the US dollar dominates everyday use
- Continent
- Africa
- Region
- East Africa / Horn of Africa
- Economic area
- EAC / AfCFTA
- Religions
- Islam
- Access to the sea
- Yes
Transport modes Road
- Current situation
- Port of Berbera (DP World, Somaliland) expanded to around 500'000 TEU and central transit gateway to Ethiopia; Port of Mogadishu is operated by the Turkish operator Al-Bayrak.
- Seasonal conditions
- Two rainy seasons: Gu (March-May) and Deyr (October-December); recurring droughts and floods. The southwest monsoon affects sea freight.
Main seaports
- Berbera
Berbera (SO BBO): DP World deep-water container port in Somaliland, 500,000 TEU, 17 m draft. A Berbera Corridor gateway and Djibouti alternative for Ethiopia.
- Muqdisho
Mogadishu (SO MGQ): Somalia's main Indian Ocean port (Albayrak) – up to 180,000 TEU, general cargo, Ro-Ro, livestock; ranked first in East Africa 2024.
- Boosaaso
Boosaaso/Bandar Cassim (SO BSA): Puntland's main port on the Gulf of Aden. Livestock exports, break-bulk, container upgrade (DP World). Alternatives: Berbera, Djibouti.
- Kismaayo
Kismaayo (SO KMU), gateway port for southern Somalia: livestock, bananas, containers, RoRo. Charcoal under UN ban; alternatives Mogadishu and Mombasa.
Main cargo airports
- Aden Adde International AirportMGQ
Aden Adde (MGQ), Mogadishu: belly cargo, Kenya Airways freighters, UNHAS relief flights, on-site customs, plus Nairobi, Addis Ababa and Hargeisa alternatives.
- Egal International AirportHGA
Egal International (HGA/HCMH), Hargeisa: Somaliland's main airport, freight almost only belly cargo. Palletised loads via Berbera BBO and Addis Ababa ADD.
- Bosaso / Bender Qassim International AirportBSA
Bosaso Bender Qassim International (BSA), Puntland: Somalia's second-largest airport, limited cargo capacity, daylight ops. Alternatives Mogadishu MGQ, Hargeisa HGA.
- Kismayo AirportKMU
Kismayo (KMU), Jubaland: regional air access with relief and scheduled flights to Nairobi and Mogadishu. Most goods move via the seaport.
Road corridors
- Berbera Corridor (Berbera-Hargeisa-Tog Wajaale-Addis Ababa)
- Mogadishu-Afgooye-Baidoa
- Mogadishu-Kismayo
Main trade lanes
- UAE-Somalia
- Turkey-Mogadishu
- China-Somalia
- Ethiopia transit via Berbera
Customs and import
Customs authority Customs Revenue Directorate, Ministry of Finance (Somali Customs Department)
- Import customs system
- Electronic clearance via the Somali Customs Automated System (SOMCAS), declaration SOMSAD; import duty on the CIF value according to the HS tariff of the Customs Tariff Law 2022. Federal member states partly levy their own import charges.
- Export customs system
- Export declaration via SOMCAS at the Customs Revenue Directorate; export duty on livestock and agricultural products, among others. The export of charcoal is prohibited under UN Resolution 2036 (2012).
- Import VAT
- No classic VAT; a sales tax of 5 percent (since 18.8.2024, previously 10 percent) is levied on CIF plus duty. Vehicles are subject to special levies (including excise duty).
- Proofs of origin and trade agreements
- EAC member since 4.3.2024 (customs union integration ongoing; common external tariff not yet applied); AfCFTA ratified on 20.10.2025. Preference proofs being established.
- Restricted and prohibited goods
- Import bans include alcohol, pork, weapons and pornography. Export ban on charcoal (UN). Restrictions on weapons, medicines and certain foods.
Typical import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of Lading
- Certificate of origin
- Import licence (MOCI)
- SOMSAD import declaration
Typical export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Certificate of origin
- Export declaration (SOMCAS)
- Veterinary/phytosanitary certificate (if required)
Logistics conditions
- Customs complexity
- High
- Customs delays
- High
- Port congestion
- Medium
- Dangerous goods relevance
- Medium
- Pharma and cold chain relevance
- Low to medium
Trade
Top import partners
Top export partners
Top import goods
- Food
- Petroleum products
- Machinery
- Vehicles
- Consumer goods
Top export goods
- Livestock
- Sesame
- Fish
- Charcoal
Typical cargo
- Livestock (live animals)
- Sesame
- Fish and seafood
- Frankincense
- Food imports
- Petroleum products
Latest logistics news
- Houthis Declare Naval Blockade Against Saudi Arabia – First Tankers Turn Back21 Jul 2026
Houthis declare Saudi port calls a risk. First oil tankers turn back. Bab al-Mandab remains open, but insurance and rerouting risks increase
Logistics questions
Which import tax applies in Somalia?
There is no classic VAT. Since 18. August 2024, a sales tax of 5 percent has been levied (previously 10 percent), in addition to the import duty on the CIF value.
How does customs clearance work?
Through the Somali Customs Automated System (SOMCAS) with the SOMSAD declaration. The responsible authority is the Customs Revenue Directorate in the Ministry of Finance in Mogadishu.
Which ports are important for Somalia?
Mogadishu (operated by Al-Bayrak), Berbera (DP World, in Somaliland) as the gateway to Ethiopia, as well as Kismayo and Bossaso.
Is Somalia a member of a free trade area?
Yes. Somalia has been a member of the East African Community (EAC) since 4 March 2024 and ratified the AfCFTA on 20 October 2025. Customs integration is still ongoing.
Which currency is used?
Officially the Somali shilling (SOS), but in everyday use the US dollar dominates. Mobile money services such as EVC Plus usually settle in US dollars.
What is the logistics and security situation like?
Demanding: a fragile security situation due to Al-Shabaab, fragmented customs authority between the federal government and the federal member states, and Somaliland with its own administration. Careful planning is necessary.
Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗
Powered by Freight Academy, verified 30 Jun 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.