Import permits and customs clearance in South Sudan
- Law
- Regulation of Imports and Exports Act 2012, in force 9 March 2012 2
- General import licence
- Issued by the Director of the trade directorate on payment of the prescribed fee 1
- Penalty for importing without a licence
- 20% of the value of the goods 1
- Cargo tracking note charge (April 2024)
- US$350 3
- SSRA E-Permit Certificate (May 2026)
- Free of charge 8
- E-petroleum permit fee
- Suspended by the SSRA in October 2024 6
Import licences under the 2012 Act
The Act is run by the Director of the trade directorate with the minister responsible for commerce and industry 2.
A person importing goods that are not restricted applies to the Director for a general import licence and lists the products. No licence is issued until the prescribed fee is paid. The minister sets the fee and publishes it in the Gazette and the mass media 1.
Restricted goods need a special licence from the minister. Some goods are prohibited 1. Importing without a licence makes a person liable to a penalty of 20% of the value 1.
- Goods that need no licence under section 13(6) include transit goods, passengers' baggage, consular goods, relief goods and government imports 1.
Customs clearance at Nimule
In March 2024 the commissioner of the customs division made electronic cargo tracking mandatory for all imports and exports 3. The Electronic Cargo Tracking Note records the cargo, its value and its destination 3.
On 2 April 2024 Eye Radio reported that hundreds of trucks were held at Nimule and that importers objected to a US$350 service charge, as reported by Moyo Jacob Felix 3. Nimule clearance agent Daniel Deng said customs clearance had slowed under the new policy 3.
Electronic import permits
The South Sudan Revenue Authority requires an E-Permit Certificate for all imported goods. Its notice says the permit is free and aims to stop cargo diversion and give an audit trail for each shipment, as reported by Lasuba Memo on 11 May 2026 8.
The Uganda Revenue Authority suspended enforcement of the e-permit for goods bound for South Sudan in a memo dated 21 November 2025. It cited non-uniform exemption letters and no clear procedure for exempt consignments. The suspension holds during talks with the SSRA 7.
The e-petroleum permit fee on fuel imports
Sources differ on the start date. Eye Radio reported a start on 22 April 2024 4. The EastAfrican reported enforcement from March 2024 6.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 22 April 2024 4 | An order from Minister of Trade and Industry William Anyuon Kuol requires an e-petroleum product accreditation permit for all petroleum products bound for South Sudan and adds e-government tariffs, with no exemptions 4. |
| 30 April 2024 4 | Embassies of Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States and the EU call for the order to be rescinded. They call the costs illicit and object to the permit on UN fuel trucks 4. |
| 7 May 2024 5 | An SSRA notice exempts fuel cargoes for UN agencies from the permit, citing Ministerial Order No. RSS/MOFP/J/M/05/2024/017 5. |
| 22 October 2024 6 | The SSRA suspends the E-Petroleum Accreditation Permit fee after complaints from truckers, fuel importers and aid groups 6. |
UN Commission finding on levies on humanitarian agencies
In its paper A/HRC/60/CRP.5 of 16 September 2025, the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan found that a 2019 revenue arrangement with Crawford Capital Ltd was extended in 2024 to what it called "an unlawful levy applied to tax-exempt humanitarian agencies". The Commission said this forced the suspension of critical food aid 9.
The Commission said it received the government's response on 11 September 2025 and reproduced it in an annex to the paper 9.
Common questions
Do I need an import licence in South Sudan?
Yes. Goods that are not restricted need a general import licence from the trade directorate, and restricted goods need a special licence from the minister 1.
Is the e-petroleum permit fee still charged?
The EastAfrican reported on 22 October 2024 that the SSRA suspended the fee 6.
Does the SSRA E-Permit Certificate cost money?
No. The SSRA says it is issued free of charge, as reported on 11 May 2026 8.
Are relief goods exempt from import licensing?
Yes. Section 13(6) of the Imports and Exports Act 2012 lists relief goods among goods that need no licence 1.
Rules and fees change. Check the official site linked above before you apply or pay. Spotted an error? Email hello@southsudanbusinessguide.com with the official link.
Sources
- FAOLEX: Regulation of Imports and Exports Act 2012, full text (2012)
- FAOLEX via UNEP LEAP: Regulation of Imports and Exports Act 2012, legislation record (9 March 2012)
- Eye Radio, as reported by Moyo Jacob Felix: Hundreds of trucks held up in Nimule over e-cargo fee (2 April 2024)
- Eye Radio: Diplomats voice concern over trade ministry's e-petroleum permit policy (30 April 2024)
- Eye Radio, as reported by Lasuba Memo: SSRA notifies Kenyan oil dealers on order exempting UN from e-permit (12 May 2024)
- The EastAfrican, as reported by James Anyanzwa: South Sudan shelves controversial fuel levy (22 October 2024)
- Eye Radio, as reported by Lasuba Memo: Uganda suspends e-permit for goods destined to South Sudan (24 November 2025)
- Eye Radio, as reported by Lasuba Memo: SSRA mandates free e-permit for all imports to curb cargo diversion (11 May 2026)
- UN Human Rights Council, Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan: Plundering a Nation, A/HRC/60/CRP.5 (16 September 2025)
Related
- Business taxes in South Sudan
Business profit tax, income tax, excise and sales tax in South Sudan under the Taxation Act 2009 and Financial Acts, and how to file and pay.
- How to register a company in South Sudan
Steps, documents, fees and timelines for registering a company in South Sudan under the Companies Act 2012, from official sources.
- Investment law in South Sudan
The Investment Promotion Act 2009, the Investment Authority, investment certificates, incentives and guarantees for investors in South Sudan.