ACD Now Mandatory for All Sudan-Bound Shipments from 1 January 2026
Sudan's Sea Ports Corporation has confirmed that ACD certification will be compulsory for all cargo destined for Sudan from 1 January 2026. The ACD number must appear on the Bill of Lading.
Sudan’s Sea Ports Corporation has confirmed a critical compliance update: the Advanced Cargo Declaration (ACD) will be compulsory for all cargo destined for Sudan from 1 January 2026.
This directive, issued on 9 November 2025, sets a firm deadline that all shippers and freight forwarders handling Sudan-bound cargo need to plan around.
What the ACD Requires
The ACD must be:
- Issued at the port of loading — not at the destination port
- Completed before the vessel departs
- Clearly referenced on the Bill of Lading
Responsibility for obtaining the ACD sits with the exporter, shipper, or freight forwarder at the port of origin.
Documents Required for Sudan ACD
ACD applications must include the following five documents:
- Draft Bill of Lading
- Commercial Invoice
- Freight Invoice
- Certificate of Origin
- Packing List
This document set applies to all cargo types — machinery, vehicles, trucks, and general cargo are all included.
What Happens If Cargo Arrives Without an ACD?
Without a valid ACD number on the Bill of Lading, shipments face clearance delays and potential penalty charges at Sudanese ports. Given the additional complexities often involved in Sudan cargo handling, delays can be costly and hard to resolve quickly from afar.
Why the ACD Was Introduced
The ACD system serves a similar function to ECTN and BESC programmes across Africa: it gives port authorities early, verified information about incoming cargo, allowing them to manage port operations more effectively and reduce the risk of smuggling or undervaluation.
Sudan’s Sea Ports Corporation specifically noted that ACD certification helps prevent corruption by documenting real prices and confirming the authenticity of transport documents shortly after loading.
Start Preparing Now
The 1 January 2026 deadline gives you a narrow window to build the ACD into your standard process for Sudan shipments. We recommend starting the documentation gathering process as early as possible for any Sudan-bound cargo you have in the pipeline.
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