Research Insights

The Trump Administration has announced the revocation, effective October 12, 2017, of most of the U.S. sanctions levied against Sudan. Prior to the General License issued in January 2017, and this revocation, a Specific License from the U.S. Department of Treasury was required for most activities in Sudan, including research activities within Sudan or with Sudanese resident collaborators, conference attendance in Sudan, and providing online professional development courses to Sudan, for example. These restrictions were within the sanctions’ broad prohibition on the export to, or import from, Sudan of goods and services.

With the lifting of the sanctions, research, collaborations, online course delivery, and travel to Sudan becomes more straightforward. However, the U.S. Department of Commerce still requires an export license for many commercial items to be permanently or temporarily exported to Sudan. A number of Sudanese remain sanctioned individually as “Specially Designated Nationals.” As Sudan is still listed as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, certain exports of agricultural commodities, medicine, and medical devices continue to require the use of General License A, issued by the Department of Treasury, in addition to any other export licensing. The U.S. Department of State still maintains a general prohibition on the export of defense articles and associated technical data and defense services to Sudan. Finally, while contemplating transactions with Sudan, there are certain risks related to U.S. anti-boycott regulations which prohibit U.S. persons from complying with the Arab League boycott of Israel.

More details on the revocation are available in the Department of State Press Statement.

Please contact Dan Runge, Export Compliance Officer, at 2-4188 or drunge@uga.edu with any questions.