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Regulations / Sudan

Alcohol regulations in Sudan

How to import or export liquor and spirits to Sudan, how to register products and labels, the import duty and taxes, and how to get a licence to make alcohol there. Researched April 2026.

Research guide, not legal advice. Compiled in April 2026 from the public sources listed at the bottom of this page. Duty rates, fees and rules change often: confirm with the regulator, a customs broker or local counsel before you act. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

Status
Partial prohibition
Legal drinking age
18 (applicable to non-Muslims only; Muslims are prohibited regardless of age)
Legal purchase age
Not confirmed

Free guide: the import licence, import duty and manufacturing licence sections are open to all. Sign in free to read the other 11 sections for Sudan in full.

Licence to make spirits (distillery and bottling)

Licences needed
None available (commercial manufacturing is prohibited)
Authority
not confirmed

Import licence and registration

Who can import
Foreign diplomatic missions and accredited international bodies only; commercial importation is banned.
Licences or registrations
Diplomatic Duty-Free Import Exemption Permit (Ministry of Foreign Affairs Form No. 1 / MFA yellow form)
Authority
Sudan Customs Authority; Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Documents
MFA Form No. 1, Bill of Lading / Air Waybill, commercial invoice, diplomatic credentials
Fees
Exempt for accredited diplomatic missions
Time to obtain
not confirmed

Product and label registration

Required: no Process: No brand or label registration mechanism exists because commercial alcohol importation and sale are prohibited. Authority: Sudan Standards and Metrology Organization (SSMO)

Import rules

Alcohol is explicitly listed as a prohibited import by the Sudan Customs Authority and Ministry of Trade. General commercial importation and personal imports are barred. Clearance is permitted solely for privileged diplomatic…

Import duty on spirits (HS 2208)

Not applicable; commercial import of HS 2208 is prohibited by customs law.

Excise and taxes

Not applicable; no lawful commercial trade exists and diplomatic imports are tax-exempt.

Retail and distribution

No licensed retail stores, bars, or state monopolies exist. The Miscellaneous Amendments Act 2020 decriminalized private consumption exclusively for non-Muslims, but did not establish a licensed retail or on-premise distribution…

Online sale and delivery

banned

Labelling

Not applicable; no standards or label requirements exist for commercial spirits.

Advertising

Banned; all forms of alcohol advertising, marketing, and sponsorship are prohibited.

Legal definitions of spirits

None established for commercial spirits.

Dry or restricted areas

Nationwide prohibition applies to all Muslim citizens under the Criminal Act 1991. For non-Muslims, consumption is prohibited in public places and when in the presence of Muslims nationwide.

Recent changes

No commercial alcohol market legislation has been introduced following the 2020 Miscellaneous Amendments Act that partially decriminalized private consumption for non-Muslims. Following the outbreak of armed conflict in April…

Opportunities for exporters

There are no viable commercial opportunities for international spirits exporters due to Sudan's prohibition on commercial importation and retail distribution. Lawful trade is restricted entirely to supplying foreign diplomatic…

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Sources

  1. International Trade Administration: Sudan - Prohibited and Restricted Imports
  2. International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA): Constitutional and Legal Developments in Sudan
  3. International Association of Movers: Sudan Customs and Import Regulations
  4. Reuters: Sudan to allow drinking alcohol for non-Muslims

Selling into Sudan or buying from it?