Countries · YE
Yemen: sanctions and trade risk
As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 62 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Yemen.Lists last checked .
Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓
A sanctions programme concerning Yemen 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 — Yemen (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 | Arms embargo on the Houthis 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
62 entries on the official lists name Yemen — 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) | 55 | 55 | — | — |
| Switzerland SECO Consolidated Sanctions List | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| EU Consolidated Financial Sanctions List (FSF) | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| UN Security Council Consolidated List | 2 | 2 | — | — |
| UK Sanctions List (FCDO) | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Latest changes
No new listings or removals naming Yemen recorded yet.
Related
Logistics profile
Yemen: logistics and trade
Conflict country / strategic location at the Bab al-Mandab strait
Yemen (ISO code: YE) lies in the south of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Saudi Arabia and Oman and fronting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. For years the country has been shaped by internal conflict and is regarded internationally as a fragile state with limited government control, split between an internationally recognised government in Aden and Houthi (Ansar Allah) authorities in Sanaa. The climate is mostly arid to semi-arid. Economically Yemen has a small industrial base and severely limited logistics capacity; its significance rests above all on its strategic location near the Bab al-Mandab strait, one of the world's key shipping lanes. Import dependence is very high, especially for food, fuel, medicine and consumer goods, while crude oil exports were historically important. The currency is the Yemeni rial (YER).
- Capital
- Sana'a
- Population
- 40,583,164
- Area
- 527,970 km²
- Currency
- Yemeni Rial (YER)
- Continent
- Asia
- Region
- Middle East / Arabian Peninsula
- Economic area
- GAFTA (WTO member since 2014)
- Religions
- Islam
- Access to the sea
- Yes
Transport modes Sea · Road · Air
- Current situation
- Red Sea crisis: ceasefire since Oct. 2025, but renewed Houthi escalation threats in 2026; traffic through Bab al-Mandab far below pre-war levels, port capacity reduced.
- Seasonal conditions
- Summer monsoon (Kharif) in the highlands June to September; cyclone risk over the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea; sandstorms and extreme heat on the coast.
Main seaports
- Aden
Aden (YE ADE): Yemen's second-largest port with a container terminal up to 1M TEU. Mind Red Sea war risk; alternatives include Salalah, Djibouti, Jebel Ali.
- Al Mukalla
Al Mukalla (YE ZAM): multipurpose gateway for eastern Yemen, ~958,000 t cargo in 2024. For containers use Aden; Nishtun serves the far east.
- Salif
Salif (YE SAL): Red Sea salt-export port in Yemen, currently severely limited by conflict damage. For reliable imports, Aden in the south serves better.
- Ras Isa Marine Terminal
Ras Isa (YE RAI): crude-oil export terminal on the Red Sea, Marib pipeline. Heavily damaged in 2025 US strikes. No container/general cargo – alternative: Aden.
- Nishtun
Nishtun (YE NIS) is the main port of Yemen's Al-Mahrah governorate for consumer-goods imports; containers route via Salalah, Oman.
- Al Hudaydah
Al Hudaydah (YE HOD): Yemen's main Red Sea port, ~70% of imports and aid, but war and UN inspection sharply limit operations. Alt: Aden.
Main cargo airports
- Aden International AirportADE
Aden (ADE): Yemenia's base and southern Yemen's air gateway. Belly and UN relief cargo, no freighters; heavy goods via Port of Aden, staging via Djibouti.
- Sanaa International AirportSAH
Sanaa (SAH) is largely out of commercial service after 2025 airstrikes. Imports to northern Yemen move via the Red Sea ports of Hodeidah and Salif.
- Seiyun Hadhramaut International AirportGXF
Seiyun (GXF) in Wadi Hadhramaut: the inland's main airport, Yemenia to Aden, Cairo, Jeddah. Heavy goods via the ports of Mukalla and Ash-Shihr.
- Riyan Mukalla International AirportRIY
Riyan/Mukalla (RIY) reopened in early 2026; Yemenia flies via Aden and Dubai. Air cargo is belly only; heavy goods via the ports of Mukalla and Ash-Shihr.
Road corridors
- Aden - Sanaa
- Aden - Mukalla (coastal road)
- Hodeidah - Sanaa
Main trade lanes
- China - Yemen
- India - Yemen
- UAE - Yemen
- Saudi Arabia - Yemen
- Yemen - China
Customs and import
Customs authority Yemen Customs Authority (customs authority, subordinate to the Ministry of Finance)Official website ↗
- Import customs system
- Electronic clearance via ASYCUDA World; import duties roughly 5 to 25 percent, food and medicines mostly duty-free, tobacco very high.
- Export customs system
- Export declaration via ASYCUDA World; exports largely duty-free. Processing is complicated by the conflict and divided administration.
- Import VAT
- General sales tax (GST) 5 percent standard, 10 percent on telecom; no classic VAT system.
- Proofs of origin and trade agreements
- GAFTA certificate of origin for Arab partner countries; otherwise general certificate of origin from the chamber of commerce.
- Restricted and prohibited goods
- Prohibited/restricted: alcohol, pork, weapons and ammunition, certain chemicals; import licences for sensitive goods.
Typical import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Certificate of origin
- Bill of lading / air waybill
- Import licence (for sensitive goods)
Typical export documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Certificate of origin
- Customs declaration (ASYCUDA)
- Bill of lading / air waybill
Logistics conditions
- Customs complexity
- High
- Customs delays
- High
- Port congestion
- Medium to high
- Dangerous goods relevance
- Low to medium
- Pharma and cold chain relevance
- Medium to high
- E-commerce relevance
- Low
Trade
Top import partners
Top import goods
- Food
- Mineral oils
- Machinery
- Vehicles
- Pharmaceuticals
Top export goods
- Petroleum products
- Coffee
- Fish
- Cotton
- Minerals
Typical cargo
- Food (wheat, rice)
- Fuels / mineral oils
- Humanitarian aid goods
- Medicines
- Machinery and vehicles
Latest logistics news
- MSC Reroutes Seven Container Ships Through Suez and Bab el-Mandeb19 Aug 2026
MSC is increasingly operating through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea again. Seven vessels have already been documented. However, a complete return to the route has not yet been officially announced.
- Cosco Reopens Red Sea – Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd Expand Suez Services13 Aug 2026
Cosco as well as Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are expanding their services through the Red Sea and Suez Canal. This could have major implications for transit times and capacity.
- 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.
- 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
- Red Sea Remains Risk Zone: Shipping Lines Continue Rerouting Around the Cape31 May 2026
Many shipping lines continue to avoid the Suez Route and instead sail around the Cape of Good Hope. This significantly extends Asia-Europe transport times.
Logistics questions
Which customs authority is responsible in Yemen?
The responsible authority is the Yemen Customs Authority, which is subordinate to the Ministry of Finance. Clearance is carried out electronically through the ASYCUDA World system. Due to the conflict, administration is divided between Aden and Sanaa.
What are the import duties in Yemen?
Customs rates are roughly between 5 and 25 percent depending on the type of goods. Food and medicines are usually duty-free or low-taxed, while tobacco products are taxed very heavily.
Is there a value added tax in Yemen?
Yemen does not levy a classic VAT but a general sales tax (GST) with a standard rate of 5 percent; telecom services are subject to 10 percent.
Which ports are important for Yemen?
The most important ports are Aden (south, best functioning), Hodeidah and Al Salif on the Red Sea (central for aid goods), as well as Mukalla on the Gulf of Aden.
How does the Red Sea crisis affect deliveries?
Since the ceasefire in October 2025, there were no attacks on commercial ships in 2026, but traffic through Bab al-Mandab remains far below pre-war levels and escalation threats persist. Many shipping companies continue to avoid the route.
Why are there different exchange rates in Yemen?
Since 2016 there have been two competing central banks in Aden and Sanaa. The new rial in government-held areas and the old banknotes in Houthi-held areas are traded at very different rates.
Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗
Powered by Freight Academy, verified 1 Jul 2026. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.