Morocco

Distributing a product

Evolution of the sector

The distribution market in Morocco has developed since the Nineties rapidly; it accounted for 12.9% of the GDP in 2004.
The share of the small traditional brands nevertheless dominates the market. General and special interest mass distribution have developed only recently. Special interest mass distribution seems to have an important potential.

Market shares

Retail distribution, normally independent and specialised are very heterogeneous structures predominated by small family run shops.
Supermarkets and hypermarkets have recently developed in the cities of Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech and in some other big cities, and they represent currently about 10% of the sales.
These groups market primarily local products (70 to 80% of the products). Morocco has approximately 200 stores with area larger than 300 m² and 17 hypermarkets.
Specialised mass distribution has developed one after another: The furniture and household electric appliances sector followed by the do-it-yourself sector which is currently experiencing a strong growth.

Organizations in the retail sector

Federation of Commerce and Services

Market access procedures

International Conventions

International economic cooperation

Free Trade Agreement with the United States since 2005
Free Trade Agreement with the European Union since 2004.

Non tariff barriers

Pursuant to provisions of article 1 of the law no. 13-89 relating to foreign trade, >, goods are free to import. However, there are quantitative restrictions on imports relating to certain particular products such as powders and explosives, secondhand clothes or the retreads or used tyres these goods requiring import licenses. The list of goods subject to quantitative restriction as regards imports is available here.

Customs duties and taxes on imports

In 2007, the simple average of the tariff range was 23% (42% for agricultural produce) and weighted average 9.3% according to the World Bank.
You can have access to the Moroccan customs tariff her.

Customs classification

Morocco applies the Harmonised Customs System. 

Import procedures

For free imports, the importer must sign a commitment for imports on form "Commitment for Import, Import license, Preliminary Import Declaration". The Commitment for Import must be drawn up in 5 specimens and accompanied by a proforma invoice in 5 copies specifying:
- the unit price expressed in ex-works value, FOB, FAS;
- quantity expressed in units of appropriate measures;
- trade description of the goods.

The importer must present it for domiciliation to a selected approved bank. After domiciliation, the bank gives the importer its copy and two copies, in a closed envelop, intended for the customs office. The Commitment for Import is valid for 6 months as from the date of its domiciliation and facilitates passing through customs and the financial settlement of the goods.

Finally, an application for exemption from customs duties is necessary for free imports allowed as duty-free within the framework of the tariff and commercial Agreements and Accords concluded between Morocco and certain countries, products belonging to tariff quotas envisaged by the Association and Free trade Agreements concluded between Morocco and the European Community and Morocco and the States of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), and products belonging to tariff quotas envisaged by the Multilateral Agreements.

Application for exemption from customs duties is to be made in 4 copies on a form called "Customs Exemption Application" and accompanied by a pro forma invoice in 3 copies, specifying:
- the unit price expressed in ex-works value, FOB, FAS;
- quantity expressed in units of appropriate measures;
- trade description of the goods.
Application for exemption from customs duties is deposited with the Ministry of Foreign Trade; it is delivered by this department after consultation with the concerned Ministry. The decision to grant or refuse exemption from customs duties is notified to the concerned party by the Ministry of Foreign Trade. Exemption from customs duties is valid for a maximum of 6 months as from the date of the stamp of the Ministry for Foreign Trade.

Import of goods is further subject to the invoice, the import title and, if necessary other documents required according to the nature of the products, on presentation at the customs office within 60 days as from the deposit of the summary declaration, a detailed declaration on a form called "Unique Declaration of Merchandise" (D.U.M).

The case of samples

Samples can enter without custom duties, subject to a deposit, if they are reexported within 12 months

For further information

Customs and Excise and Indirect Taxes Service
Moroccan Center for Export Promotion

Organizing goods transport

Main useful means

Roadways dominate inland transport in Morocco, providing 90% of the mobility of the people and 75% of flows of goods except phosphate, on a 57,500 km long highway network of which 32,100 is paved, in addition to nearly 800 km of highways.
Railways, almost 2000km long, ensures annual transport of more than 30 million tons of goods and 1 million travelers.
Bestowed with a 3,500 km long coastline distributed on the Atlantic and the Mediterranean Ocean, Morocco has 27 harbour cities and 30 ports to which the Tangier Med port will be added, providing a traffic of almost 60 Million tons and transport of 4 million people. Nearly 90% of Moroccan exports expressed in tonnage pass through the seas. Morocco has about fifteen airports, domestic and international annually ensuring transport of 7 million travelers and 51 Million tons of freight.
Link to a specialised information portal>.

Ports

Web site of Moroccan ports

Airports

National Office of Airports

Sea transport organizations

Merchant Navy Department (DMM) of the Ministry of Equipment and Transports

Air transport organizations

Department of Civil Aviation of the Ministry of Equipment and Transport

Road transport organizations

Department of Roads and Road Traffic of the Ministry of Equipment and Transports

Rail transport organizations

Ministry of Equipment and Transports