Taliban Introduces New Law: Import of Food and Medicine Requires Official Approval

DID Press: Taliban’s Ministry of Justice announced the implementation of a new law stipulating that the import of food, medicine, and health products into Afghanistan is only permitted with an official commercial license and approval from the group’s Ministry of Public Health. The law aims to curb smuggling and ensure quality control of imported goods.

The Ministry of Justice stated on Thursday, September 27, that the “Law on Preventing Smuggling of Food, Medicine, and Health Products” has been published in the official gazette following the approval of the Taliban leadership and is now enforceable.

The law consists of an introduction, four sections, three chapters, and a total of 34 articles, covering all individuals and entities involved in the import and distribution of food, medical, and health items. Only those holding an official commercial license and import approval from the Taliban’s Ministry of Public Health are legally permitted to import such goods.

The announcement emphasized that transport companies, airport staff, domestic and international healthcare institutions, and even traditional medicine practitioners are prohibited from commercial activities in this sector without legal authorization.

Under the new regulations, travelers entering Afghanistan by land or air are not allowed to carry medicine without a valid prescription.

Taliban officials said the law is intended to prevent the entry of unauthorized goods, combat smuggling, and enhance quality control over imported medicines and health products.