Sudan Gold Export Rules: Licences, Permits and Documents

Exporting gold from Sudan requires compliance with the country’s mining regulations, Central Bank of Sudan policies, banking controls, mineral inspection procedures and customs requirements. Exporters must establish that the gold comes from a legitimate source, obtain the relevant approvals, provide the required assay and weight documentation, and complete the authorised payment and export procedures before shipment.

Sudan’s gold export framework distinguishes between artisanal or traditional mining gold (often called free gold), gold produced by mining-tailings companies, and gold from concession-based mining operations. These categories do not necessarily follow identical procedures. Foreign individuals and companies also face restrictions on exporting gold, making it essential to establish exporter eligibility before entering into a transaction.

This guide explains the main Sudan gold export rules, the authorities involved, the documents required, banking procedures and compliance checks for businesses exporting gold from Sudan.

Sudan Gold Export Regulations and the Legal Framework

1. Which Authorities Regulate Gold Exports in Sudan?

Gold exports in Sudan involve several government institutions. Each has responsibilities relating to mineral production, export authorisation, inspection, financial controls and customs clearance.

The main institutions include:

Ministry of Minerals: Oversees the mining sector and the regulatory framework governing mineral production and commercial activities.
Sudanese Mineral Resources Company (SMRC): Plays an important role in mineral-sector administration, monitoring mining operations and overseeing relevant mining-sector requirements.
Central Bank of Sudan (CBOS): Issues policies governing gold purchases, export payments, foreign-exchange proceeds and banking procedures.
Sudanese Standards and Metrology Organization (SSMO): Handles applicable standards, weight verification and gold-quality documentation.
Ministry of Industry and Trade: Has responsibilities under the export framework, including approvals for certain gold-related activities.
Sudan Customs Authority: Handles customs declarations, shipment inspections and the formal release of goods for export.
Sudan Gold Refinery: Operates within the country’s gold-sector framework and is among the institutions whose applicable controls exporters must observe.

Exporters should confirm which institution must approve their particular transaction rather than assuming that one licence or certificate satisfies every requirement.

2. Who Is Legally Allowed to Export Gold from Sudan?

Exporter eligibility is one of the most important parts of Sudan’s gold export regulations.

Under Central Bank of Sudan Policies Department Circular 17/2025, export of free gold and gold from mining-tailings companies is permitted for legal persons that fulfil the applicable export procedures and controls.

However, the same circular prohibits gold exports by government entities and foreign individuals or companies, except concession companies operating in the gold-mining sector.

This distinction is important for international buyers. Having a foreign company, overseas trading licence or international gold-buying agreement does not automatically give that company permission to export gold directly from Sudan.

Before a transaction begins, establish:

Whether the exporter is legally eligible to export the relevant category of gold.
Whether the business has the necessary mining-sector registration and approvals.
Whether the gold comes from an authorised mining operation or legitimate supplier.
Whether the exporter can complete the required banking and customs procedures.
Whether any concession agreement or other applicable authorisation governs the shipment.

International buyers should distinguish between buying gold from a legally authorised Sudanese exporter and personally exporting gold from Sudan. These are different activities with different legal implications.

For a wider explanation of exporter licensing, see our guide to gold export licences and permits.

3. Rules for Exporting Artisanal and Traditional Mining Gold

Gold produced through artisanal or traditional mining is commonly referred to in Sudan’s export framework as free gold.

Central Bank of Sudan Circular 17/2025 defines free gold as gold produced through artisanal or traditional mining. Circular 11/2026 subsequently amended the applicable rules, including the minimum export contract requirement.

Under the amended framework:

Eligible legal persons may export free gold after completing the required procedures.
Export transactions must comply with the applicable Central Bank and other regulatory controls.
Exporters must provide the weight and standards documentation required by the Sudanese Standards and Metrology Organization.
The minimum quantity for approval of a raw gold export contract is one kilogram under Circular 11/2026.
Export payments must follow the permitted payment arrangements.

The one-kilogram minimum relates to approval of a raw gold export contract under the relevant circular. It should not be interpreted as a universal minimum for every gold product, jewellery shipment or other export category.

Exporters should also confirm the current procedures with their authorised bank and the relevant government institutions before preparing a shipment.

4. Rules for Exporting Gold from Mining-Tailings Companies

Gold produced by mining-tailings companies has additional requirements.

Central Bank of Sudan Circular 18/2026, issued on 21 September 2026, amended the earlier provisions governing this category of gold.

The circular provides that mining-tailings companies may sell their entire gold production to:

The Central Bank of Sudan.
A representative or delegate of the Central Bank.
Eligible gold exporters.

Banks may process exports of mining-tailings gold through permitted payment arrangements, including advance payment and qualifying sight documentary credits.

However, banks must obtain written approval from the Central Bank of Sudan before completing the banking procedures for these exports. The other prescribed requirements must also be fulfilled.

The circular also establishes specific arrangements for export proceeds and the use of funds generated by these transactions.

Businesses sourcing gold from mining-tailings operations should therefore obtain confirmation of the relevant SMRC and Central Bank requirements before agreeing to purchase or export the material.

5. Rules for Gold from Concession-Based Mining Companies

Gold produced by concession-based mining companies is subject to a different regulatory framework from artisanal free gold.

These companies operate under mining concessions and must comply with the conditions attached to their mining rights, applicable mineral regulations and the relevant export and banking policies.

Circular 17/2025 expressly distinguishes concession companies from foreign individuals and companies that are prohibited from exporting gold under its general restriction.

However, this exception does not mean that every foreign-owned mining business can export without additional approval. The company must operate under a valid concession and meet the requirements applicable to its operation and shipment.

Before exporting concession-produced gold, the company should confirm:

The validity and scope of its mining concession.
Its production and mineral-sale documentation.
The applicable Ministry of Minerals and SMRC approvals.
The required SSMO weight and quality documentation.
The relevant Central Bank and commercial-bank procedures.
Customs and shipment requirements.

Do not apply the one-kilogram free-gold contract rule automatically to concession exports. The applicable requirements must be checked against the company’s concession and current regulatory instructions.

6. Gold Export Payments and Central Bank Banking Requirements

Sudan’s gold export rules regulate how exporters receive payment and account for foreign-exchange proceeds.

Under Circular 17/2025, permitted payment methods for free gold include:

Advance payment.
Documentary credit with sight payment, subject to the applicable conditions.

The documentary credit must not contain conditions relating to the goods that conflict with the circular, including a requirement for overseas calibration or assay as a condition of payment.

For documentary-credit transactions, export proceeds must be recovered upon acceptance of the documents and no later than 30 days from the shipment date.

The applicable policies also require export proceeds to be credited to a designated foreign-currency gold export account. Under the general free-gold arrangements, proceeds may remain in that account for a maximum of 21 working days. Amounts remaining beyond the permitted period are subject to the Central Bank’s prescribed arrangements.

For mining-tailings gold, Circular 18/2026 provides specific rules on payment, export accounts and the permitted use of export proceeds.

Exporters should arrange the payment structure with an authorised commercial bank before shipment. A buyer’s promise to pay after the gold arrives is not a substitute for compliance with Sudan’s prescribed banking arrangements.

7. Central Bank Gold Pricing Requirements

Sudan’s Central Bank has also introduced a daily pricing mechanism for relevant gold exports.

Under Circular 13/2026, the Central Bank established a daily export-pricing mechanism based on the international 24-karat gold price, with a specified adjustment, and communicated through its XAR electronic system.

The pricing mechanism is intended to guide the valuation of relevant export transactions through official channels.

Exporters should confirm the applicable daily price with their authorised bank and the relevant export authorities before finalising the contract and shipment documentation.

This is a regulatory pricing requirement, not simply a recommendation to use an international spot-price quotation. A commercial invoice or export contract should not be prepared using an assumed price where the applicable official pricing procedure requires confirmation.

8. Documents Required to Export Gold from Sudan

A legal gold export requires supporting documentation that establishes the identity of the exporter, the source of the gold, its weight and quality, the commercial transaction and its authorisation for shipment.

The precise documents depend on the category of gold and the applicable approvals. Exporters should confirm the final checklist with their bank, the mining authorities, SSMO and customs.

Common documents and records to prepare include:

1. Business registration and exporter identification

The exporter should provide valid company registration and identification documents demonstrating its legal status and eligibility to participate in the transaction.

2. Mining licence or source documentation

Records should identify the authorised mine, mining operation, supplier or production source from which the gold originated.

3. Export contract

The export contract should identify the buyer, seller, gold category, quantity, agreed valuation, payment method and destination.

4. Central Bank and banking approvals

The exporter must provide the applicable banking documentation and any written Central Bank approval required for the particular category of gold.

5. SSMO assay and weight documentation

The relevant standards and weight documents must establish the measured quantity and applicable quality information for the gold being exported.

6. Certificate of origin

This document supports the declared country of origin and should be consistent with the available source and production records.

7. Commercial invoice

The invoice should accurately state the exporter and buyer details, gold description, weight, purity where applicable, declared value and transaction information.

8. Customs export declaration

The shipment must be declared to Sudanese customs using the applicable export procedures.

9. Transport and shipping documents

Depending on the transport method, these may include an air waybill, bill of lading, packing list, insurance certificate and shipment instructions.

10. Additional tax and regulatory evidence

The exporter must provide any applicable evidence of tax, royalty, fee or other regulatory compliance. These obligations depend on the type of mining operation and the transaction.

For a broader explanation of export paperwork, see our guide to gold export procedures in Africa.

9. Gold Assay, Weight Verification and Quality Standards

Gold assay and weight verification are important parts of the Sudan export process.

The exporter must ensure that the gold’s declared weight and quality information are supported by the documentation required by the relevant authorities.

For free gold, Circular 17/2025 specifically requires banks to receive the documents required by SSMO for weights and standards before completing the banking procedures.

An assay report should identify the material tested and provide the relevant purity and weight information. The reported details should match the gold being presented for export.

Buyers should check that:

The assay document relates to the actual shipment.
The weight is consistent across the assay report, invoice and export documents.
The stated purity is supported by the testing documentation.
The issuing laboratory or authority can be verified.
The shipment identification and supporting records are consistent.

An assay certificate alone does not prove that gold was legally mined or authorised for export. It must be assessed alongside the mining-source records, export approvals and other supporting documents.

Read our detailed guide to the gold assay certificate.

10. Customs Clearance and International Gold Shipping

Obtaining the relevant export approvals does not remove the requirement to complete customs procedures.

Before a gold shipment leaves Sudan, the exporter must ensure that the applicable customs declaration, inspection and release requirements have been fulfilled.

Customs documentation should agree with the commercial and regulatory records. Differences in weight, declared value, product description, exporter identity or destination can delay clearance.

The exporter should prepare the following information:

Exporter’s registered business details.
Buyer’s full legal identity and destination details.
Gold description and quantity.
Declared value and applicable transaction information.
Relevant export authorisations.
Assay and weight documentation.
Certificate of origin and supporting source records.
Transport and insurance documentation.

Once customs and the other relevant authorities have completed their requirements, the shipment can proceed through the authorised transport arrangements.

International buyers should also check the gold import rules in the destination country before paying for a shipment. Legal export from Sudan does not automatically mean that the gold can enter another country without import declarations, customs duties, permits or additional compliance checks.

See our guide to legal requirements for importing gold.

11. Gold Traceability and Responsible Sourcing Requirements

Gold traceability is particularly important when sourcing material from Sudan.

The exporter should be able to demonstrate where the gold originated, who produced or supplied it, which businesses handled it and how it moved through the supply chain.

This is important because Sudan’s ongoing armed conflict has increased the risks associated with informal gold trading, undocumented supply chains and gold linked to armed groups or sanctioned individuals and entities.

Before buying Sudanese gold, international buyers should conduct enhanced due diligence.

Important checks include:

Identify the mine, production area or legitimate source of the gold.
Verify the supplier and beneficial owners of the exporting company.
Check the relevant mining and export authorisations.
Review purchase records and evidence of legal acquisition.
Confirm that the assay, origin and export documents relate to the same gold consignment.
Check whether the supplier, buyer, intermediaries or other parties are subject to applicable sanctions.
Confirm that the transport route and payment arrangements are lawful.
Retain transaction and chain-of-custody records.

A certificate of origin should not be treated as conclusive proof that gold is conflict-free. Buyers should examine the complete supply chain and the parties involved in the transaction.

Read our guide to gold traceability for more information about documenting gold from mine to market.

12. Risks of Exporting Gold Without Following Sudanese Regulations

Exporting gold without the necessary authorisations and documentation can expose businesses to serious legal and financial consequences.

Potential risks include:

Customs detention or seizure of gold shipments.
Rejection of export documentation.
Suspension or restriction of banking transactions.
Loss of payment or delays in recovering export proceeds.
Regulatory penalties or other enforcement action.
Investigations into the source of the gold.
Sanctions exposure where a transaction involves prohibited persons, entities or activities.
Reputational damage and difficulties accessing international buyers and financial institutions.

Businesses should not purchase gold on the assumption that export documents can be arranged after the material has left the country.

The legal source, exporter eligibility, payment arrangements and required approvals should be established before the transaction is completed.

13. Important Considerations for Foreign Gold Buyers

Foreign buyers interested in purchasing gold from Sudan should understand that buying gold and exporting gold are separate legal activities.

A foreign company may be able to enter into a commercial purchase arrangement with an eligible exporter, but that does not automatically give it the right to export the gold itself.

Before transferring funds, international buyers should request and verify:

The seller’s legal business registration and eligibility to export.
Evidence identifying the legitimate mining or production source.
The applicable export authorisation.
SSMO assay and weight documentation.
The commercial invoice and export contract.
Evidence that the prescribed banking procedures can be completed.
The customs and transport documentation for the shipment.
The buyer’s own import requirements and sanctions obligations.

Buyers should independently verify documents with their issuing authorities wherever possible. They should also avoid informal intermediaries who cannot demonstrate a lawful chain of custody.

For additional guidance, see our article on the legal requirements for buying gold bars from Africa.

14. How to Export Gold from Sudan: Practical Compliance Checklist

The following sequence provides a practical starting point for businesses planning a lawful gold export.

Step 1: Identify the gold category.

Establish whether the material is artisanal free gold, mining-tailings gold or concession-produced gold. The applicable procedures can differ.

Step 2: Verify the exporter.

Confirm the company’s legal status, eligibility and relevant mining-sector authorisations. Foreign individuals and companies must pay particular attention to the export restrictions.

Step 3: Verify the gold source.

Obtain mining, supplier, purchase and production records that establish the legitimate origin of the material.

Step 4: Confirm the applicable approvals.

Check the requirements of the Ministry of Minerals, SMRC, Central Bank, SSMO and other relevant institutions for the particular transaction.

Step 5: Agree on the export contract and payment method.

Ensure that the transaction follows the applicable Central Bank payment and foreign-exchange procedures.

Step 6: Complete assay and weight verification.

Obtain the required testing and weight documentation and ensure that it matches the actual gold consignment.

Step 7: Prepare the export documents.

Compile the export authorisation, contract, invoice, origin records, assay documentation, banking evidence and other required paperwork.

Step 8: Complete customs clearance.

Submit the applicable declaration and supporting documents, and comply with inspection and release requirements.

Step 9: Arrange secure international shipping.

Use an appropriate insured transport arrangement and retain the shipping and chain-of-custody records.

Step 10: Complete the buyer’s import requirements.

Ensure that the destination country’s customs, import, sanctions and precious-metals requirements are met before the shipment arrives.

15. Frequently Asked Questions About Sudan Gold Export Rules

Is gold export legal in Sudan?

Yes. Sudan permits gold exports through eligible businesses that fulfil the applicable mining, export, banking, standards and customs requirements. The rules differ according to the source and category of gold.

Can foreigners export gold from Sudan?

Central Bank of Sudan Circular 17/2025 prohibits gold exports by foreign individuals and companies, except concession companies operating in the gold-mining sector. Foreign buyers should therefore use legally eligible export channels rather than assuming they can export gold directly.

What is the minimum quantity for exporting raw gold from Sudan?

Circular 11/2026 amended the minimum quantity for approval of a raw gold export contract to one kilogram. This requirement should be interpreted within the scope of that circular and not automatically applied to every type of gold product.

Which authority regulates gold exports in Sudan?

Several institutions are involved. The Ministry of Minerals and SMRC have mining-sector responsibilities, the Central Bank regulates applicable banking and gold-export payment procedures, SSMO handles relevant standards and weight documentation, and Customs handles export clearance.

Is an assay certificate required to export gold from Sudan?

The applicable assay and weight documentation is an important part of the export process. Circular 17/2025 specifically requires the relevant SSMO documents for free-gold exports before banks complete the required procedures.

Can a foreign company buy gold from Sudan?

A foreign company may explore a purchase through an eligible and properly authorised exporter, subject to the applicable Sudanese rules and the laws of the destination country. Buying gold does not automatically grant the foreign company permission to export it from Sudan.

What payment methods are permitted for Sudanese gold exports?

The applicable Central Bank policy provides for advance payment and qualifying sight documentary credits for relevant free-gold exports. The exact conditions, including the handling and recovery of export proceeds, must be confirmed with the authorised bank.

Does gold from Sudan need a certificate of origin?

Origin documentation is important for establishing the declared source of the gold and supporting customs and supply-chain due diligence. Buyers should review it alongside mining records, purchase documentation, assay reports and export authorisations.

Can gold be exported from Sudan without customs clearance?

No. The exporter must complete the applicable customs declaration, inspection and release procedures before the shipment can lawfully leave through the relevant export channel.

Are all Sudanese gold exports subject to the same rules?

No. Artisanal free gold, mining-tailings gold and concession-produced gold can have different requirements. Exporters should identify the category of gold before determining the applicable authorisations and banking procedures.

Conclusion: Comply with Sudan’s Gold Export Regulations Before Shipping

Sudan’s gold export framework requires businesses to establish the legal source of their gold, confirm exporter eligibility, obtain the applicable approvals, complete assay and weight verification, follow Central Bank payment procedures and secure customs clearance.

The rules are not identical for artisanal free gold, mining-tailings gold and concession-produced gold. Circular 17/2025, its amendments under Circular 11/2026 and the subsequent Circular 18/2026 are important instruments for understanding the current requirements.

For international buyers, the most important safeguards are verifying the exporter, checking the gold’s origin, confirming the relevant export authorisation and reviewing the complete shipment documentation before making payment.

Because Sudan’s regulatory and security environment can change, exporters should obtain written confirmation from the relevant authorities and their authorised bank before committing to a shipment.