Importers Chamber: Increase in Customs Dollar Rate May Affect Imports and Lead Traders to Temporarily Suspend Sales

Sudanhorizon – Hala Hamza

A member of the National Importers Chamber, Qasim Al-Siddiq, told Sudanhorizon that the increase in the customs dollar exchange rate announced on Saturday is likely to reduce consumer purchasing power, causing buyers either to refrain from purchasing goods and services or to reduce the quantities they purchase.

Al-Siddiq explained that weaker consumer demand would slow the movement of goods from warehouses, reduce the pace of imports, and ultimately lead to lower customs revenues due to a decline in import volumes. He added that government liquidity could also be significantly affected, potentially reducing demand for foreign currency and contributing to a stabilization of exchange rates, unless the government resorts to borrowing from the banking system.

The National Importers Chamber member further stated that the measure, which may have been intended by the Ministry of Finance to increase customs revenues, could instead lead to a temporary suspension of sales in markets until demand for U.S. dollars stabilizes and the sharp short-term increase in exchange rates subsides.

He expressed doubt that the decision was aimed primarily at narrowing the gap between the official customs dollar rate and the exchange rate in the parallel market, which has recently experienced significant upward pressure.

Al-Siddiq also highlighted the negative impact of importing goods at a high foreign exchange cost, noting that the local consumer is increasingly unable to keep pace with rising prices because incomes do not correspond with the continued increases in the cost of goods and services.

Looking ahead, he predicted that Sudan’s imports for 2026 may not exceed US$2.5 billion, citing the effects of higher foreign currency costs as well as the continued displacement of large numbers of Sudanese citizens, many of whom remain abroad or internally displaced within the country.

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