Sudan hikes customs dollar rate as pound hits record low

April 10 2026 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s customs authority on Friday raised the customs dollar rate by 14%, a move aimed at boosting government revenue as the local currency plummeted to a historic low on the parallel market.

The customs dollar, a key metric used to calculate import duties, was adjusted from 2,827.61 Sudanese pounds to 3,222.8 pounds. Traders confirmed to Sudan Tribune that the new rates were integrated into the customs management system and became effective immediately.

The hike comes as the Sudanese pound continues its rapid devaluation. On the parallel market, the dollar surpassed the 4,000-pound threshold for the first time during weekend trading, reaching 4,000.80 pounds.

Economic pressure

The government has adjusted the customs dollar rate nine times in the past 14 months, highlighting growing fiscal desperation and the need to finance state operations amid the ongoing conflict.

The National Chamber of Importers criticized the increase, describing its impact on the economy and local markets as “catastrophic.”

Al-Sadiq Jalal al-Din Salih, head of the chamber, warned that the move would further erode the pound’s value and increase the cost of living. He noted that since January 2025, the rate has climbed from 2,000 pounds to over 3,200 pounds, a 61% increase in just over a year.

Policy criticism

Jalal al-Din dismissed official claims that the customs dollar had been abolished and replaced by the market exchange rate in 2021. He argued that the country has been trapped in a “vicious cycle” of repetitive and destructive economic policies since 2017.

“There is nothing new to mention, only the old being repeated,” he told reporters on Friday. He emphasized that customs duties, as indirect taxes, are ultimately passed on to the citizen, fueling inflation and encouraging smuggling.

Since the currency was floated in June 2021, the customs rate has been adjusted 19 times, skyrocketing from 28 pounds to current levels—an increase of more than 11,000%.

Import restrictions

The rate hike follows a set of measures issued by the Prime Minister on Thursday intended to regulate imports. Based on recommendations from the Higher Economic Committee, these measures aim to balance the trade deficit and stabilize the exchange rate.

Government data indicates a significant gap between rising imports and dwindling exports, placing immense pressure on the macroeconomy. The new measures include a review of the list of imported goods to prioritize essential items during the current transitional phase.