South Sudan: sanctions and trade risk

Sanctions programmeUN arms embargo and targeted listings.

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 14 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to South Sudan.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

A sanctions programme concerning South Sudan 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 — South Sudan (9 Jul 2025) · UN Security Council — Sanctions (15 active regimes) (24 Oct 2026) · SECO — Sanktionsverordnungen (index of 28 Swiss regimes) (24 Oct 2026) · reviewed 24 Oct 2026

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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	Arms embargo and listings — 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

14 entries on the official lists name South Sudan — 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	Companies & organisations	Vessels	Aircraft
US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN)	14	14	—	—

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming South Sudan recorded yet.

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Logistics profile

South Sudan: logistics and trade

Landlocked, oil-exporting, heavily dependent on imports

South Sudan (SS) is a landlocked country in East Africa bordering Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic. A federal republic since independence in 2011, it faces a fragile security situation that varies sharply by region. Economically, crude oil production dominates and provides the bulk of export revenue, while agriculture and livestock sustain the population. Foreign trade is strongly import-driven: fuel, food, machinery, vehicles and construction materials are mostly moved along the Northern Corridor from the Kenyan port of Mombasa via Nimule to Juba. Customs and duties are levied by the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA) using ASYCUDA World; instead of VAT a 20 percent sales tax applies, complemented by a 4 percent advance payment of business profit tax on imports (Financial Act 2024/2025). Logistically the country has poorly developed roads, almost no rail and only a partly navigable Nile connection; Juba Airport (JUB) carries air freight. The national currency is the South Sudanese Pound (SSP).

Capital: Juba
Population: 10,800,000
Area: 619,745 km²
Currency: South Sudanese Pound (SSP)
Continent: Africa
Region: East Africa
Economic area: EAC (East African Community)
Religions: Christianity, African religions
Access to the sea: Landlocked

Transport modes Road · Air · Inland waterway

Current situation: Financial Act 2024/2025 in force since 2.12.2024 (Sales Tax 20 percent, Advance BPT 4 percent on imports). Status 2026-07-06.
Seasonal conditions: Pronounced rainy season from April to October/November makes many unpaved roads impassable; flooding in the Nile basin regularly hinders transport and supply.

Main cargo airports

Juba International AirportJUB
Juba International Airport (JUB), South Sudan's main air gateway: humanitarian freight by UN and ICRC, bonded warehouses rather than a cargo terminal.

Road corridors

Northern Corridor: Mombasa - Nairobi - Nimule - Juba
Nimule (Uganda border)
Juba - Wau
Kaya (Uganda border)

Inland ports

Juba (Nile)
Malakal (Nile)
Renk (Nile)

Main trade lanes

Uganda - South Sudan
Kenya - South Sudan
China - South Sudan (oil)
UAE - South Sudan
India - South Sudan

Customs and import

Customs authority South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA)Official website ↗

Import customs system: Customs clearance via the SSRA with ASYCUDA World. Import duties under the Financial Act 2024/2025; customs values according to SSRA merchandise conversion rates.
Export customs system: ASYCUDA World (SSRA). Main export: crude oil via pipeline through Sudan to Port Sudan; other exports via SSRA declaration.
Import VAT: No value added tax. Instead, Sales Tax of 20 percent on imported goods as well as on hotel/restaurant/bar services (Financial Act 2024/2025). Additionally, Advance Business Profit Tax of 4 percent on imports (since 2.12.2024).
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: EAC member (since 2016) and COMESA member; preferences via EAC/COMESA certificates of origin. Practical implementation of free trade rules still limited.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Electronic customs declaration (ASYCUDA World)
Transport document (CMR, AWB, B/L)
Certificate of origin
If applicable: import licenses / inspection certificates

Typical export documents

Export declaration (ASYCUDA World)
Commercial invoice
Packing list
Certificate of origin
Transport document
If applicable: export license

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity: High
Customs delays: High
Dangerous goods relevance: Medium
E-commerce relevance: Low

Trade

Top import partners

Uganda Kenya China India United Arab Emirates

Top export partners

China Malaysia United Arab Emirates India

Top import goods

Food
Petroleum products
Machinery
Vehicles
Construction materials

Top export goods

Crude oil

Typical cargo

Crude oil (export)
Fuel / petroleum products
Food
Construction materials
Machinery
Vehicles
Humanitarian aid goods

Latest logistics news

Saudi Arabia Establishes 14-Nation Alliance for the Red Sea3 Aug 2026
Saudi Arabia leads a 14-nation alliance to protect the Red Sea. In the short term, little is changing for shipping companies: the mission is still in the build-up phase.

Logistics questions

Which customs authority is responsible in South Sudan?

The responsible authority is the South Sudan Revenue Authority (SSRA). Customs clearance is handled electronically via ASYCUDA World; import duties are governed by the annual Financial Act.

Is there a value added tax in South Sudan?

No. South Sudan does not levy value added tax but a Sales Tax. On imported goods as well as on hotel, restaurant and bar services, it amounts to 20 percent (Financial Act 2024/2025).

What additional charges apply to imports?

In addition to customs duties and Sales Tax, an advance payment of Business Profit Tax of 4 percent on imports has been levied since 2 December 2024. Excise duties are added for certain goods such as alcohol, tobacco and telecom.

How do goods reach South Sudan?

As a landlocked country, goods mainly move via the Northern Corridor: from the Kenyan port of Mombasa via Nairobi and the Nimule border to Juba (approx. 1'700-2'000 km). Air freight is handled through Juba Airport (JUB).

When should weather-related delays be expected?

During the rainy season from April to October/November, many unpaved roads are impassable, and flooding in the Nile basin hinders transport and supply. The dry season from November to March is more favorable for logistics.

Which currency is used in South Sudan?

The national currency is the South Sudanese pound (SSP). Due to exchange rate fluctuations and inflation, US dollars are often used for pricing in foreign trade.

Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗