Official Morocco Entry Requirements [2023]
I get asked very often about the rules that apply when entering Moroccan territory or when leaving it. The rules that apply are common-sense and apply to most countries you might travel to. I will list below a few of the main things you should keep in mind, and probably research more if they apply to you. I try to keep this page up-to-date as much as possible but rules can change fast, so Whenever possible, I will make sure to include relevant links for you to double check.
This being said, if you visiting Morocco as a tourist, are not planning to bring crazy amounts of cash with you, are not bringing animals or special items, and are not planning to do business in the country or deal antiques and art, they there shouldn’t be any special paperwork to do. But anyhow, keep reading to learn about everything you should know about entering and leaving Moroccan territory.
UPON YOUR ARRIVAL IN MOROCCO
When you arrive in Morocco at land border checkpoints, in a port or at an airport, there
are two separate customs lanes:
The «green» lane should be used if you have nothing to declare and the «red» lane
when you have goods to proclaim.
Here are my recommendation to facilitate going through customs.
1. Currencies and means of payment
The import of remote cash in banknotes and/or bearer negotiable instruments by foreigners visiting Morocco is free; however, it is subject to an obligatory declaration upon arrival when their equivalent value is equal to or greater than 100.000 MAD (approximately 10.000 USD).
This declaration must be kept to justify to customs departments at the exit the origin of the currencies. It is valid only once (one stay) and for a period prior to 6 months.
I also recommend declaring any amounts of Moroccan dirhams (MAD) you might have at customs upon your entry to Morocco. Generally, importing MAD is tolerated within the limit of a certain amount (usually between MAD 1,000 to 2,000). When your MAD is in excess of the authorized threshold and is not declared, it can be a foreign exchange offense punishable by law.
2. Personal effects and objects
When visiting Morocco – like with most other countries – you can import without having to pay taxes and duties
at the entry, and without any declaration or customs formalities:
- Your personal effects and objects in use actually carried by yourself.
- Perfumes and toilet water
– a bottle of perfume (150 ml),
– a bottle of cologne (250 ml). - Alcoholic drinks
– one (1) liter bottle of wine,
– a bottle of spirits of one liter or another alcohol of the same capacity. - Tobacco
– 200 grams of manufactured tobacco.
3. Medications
Medications that you import for personal use are admitted free of duties and taxes and do not require prior authorization from the Moroccan Ministry of Health.
However, make sure to bring with you a medical certificate and prescription for the use of you medication (which might be also useful in case you need to see a doctor in Morocco).
4. Gifts of non-commercial nature
As a traveler visiting Morocco, you are allowed to bring, without customs formalities or payment of import duties and taxes, gifts in limited quantity and without commercial nature within the limit of a global value of 2.000 MAD (approximately $200).
Outside these tolerances, any other imported goods will be subject to the payment of the corresponding duties and taxes.
5. Companion Animals
Pets must be accompanied, on importation, by health documents drawn up 3 days before boarding and justifying that they are free from diseases specific to the species, issued by the official health authorities of the exporting country.
On arrival in Morocco, they will be subject to veterinary health control, operated by the veterinarian, under the National Office of Sanitary Safety of Food products (ONSSA). I highly recommend checking the ONSSA website for further information.
6. Food Products
As in many countries, natural or fresh products of animal origin for personal consumption remain subject to control at the borders. Processed and manufactured food products are exempted, from fraud control when they are imported for personal consumption.
7. Plant Products
The admission of plants into Moroccan territory is subject to the presentation of a phytosanitary certificate issued by the competent departments coming under the ONSSA (see link in the section 5. Companion animals).
8. Hunting Weapons
Their importation is subject to the presentation of an authorization issued by the National Security (Police) departments. You can check the official page of Moroccan consulate for further information on this matter.
9. Endangered Species
Their importation is subject to the presentation of a certificate «CITES1 » issued by the department in charge of Waters and Forests. You can find more information about the process in the official website of CITES.
10. Unmanned flying machines (Drones)
This is something that many tourists miss, yet very important. Bringing drones to Morocco is strictly prohibited.
11. Other goods whose importation is prohibited
- Weapons and ammunition,
- Narcotics,
- All writings, printed matter, recorded cassettes and videocassettes and objects contrary to good morals and public order.
12. Motor vehicles
Motor vehicles imported by foreign tourists not residing in Morocco are admitted under the temporary admission regime for a maximum of six (06) months. At the end of this period, the vehicle must be re-exported or cleared for home use under the regulatory conditions in force.
13. Pleasure boats
Pleasure boats temporarily imported by recreational boaters who are habitually resident abroad are admitted under the temporary admission regime for a maximum of six (06) months to be consumed continuously or fractionally during a calendar year.
However, this period is fixed at eighteen (18) months if your boat is intended to stay in a marina.
At the end of the period of stay, your boat must leave the national territory to overseas in order to benefit from a new stay in Morocco.
UPON YOUR DEPARTURE FROM MOROCCO
1. Currencies and other means of payment
As mentioned in the beginning of the article, as a non-resident in Morocco, you are required to declare and justify to customs office of exit the origin of your currencies whose equivalent value is equal to or greater than 100.000 MAD (approximately 10.000 USD). As proof, you can submit the customs declaration that you have registered upon your arrival in Morocco.
For amounts less than the equivalent value of 100.000 MAD, you are required to declare them and customs reserves the right for certain cases to request the justification of the origin of the exported currencies.
2. Cultural goods
The exportation of works of art, collection and antiques is subject to the authorization of the department in charge of cultural affairs (Ministry of Culture). You can read more about Morocco and its efforts to combat Cultural Artifact Smuggling.
3. Tax-refunded sales
You can make purchases of goods in Morocco with deduction of the value added tax (VAT) of the purchase price. Not all products can get you a tax refund though. As an example, tax refund is not granted for most food products, tobacco and medications. But I would recommend keeping your receipts especially for large amounts of money – more on that below – and checking at the borders what taxes can be refunded.
4. Conditions to be fulfilled in order to benefit from tax refund
Purchases eligible for tax refund must correspond to a retail sale of a tourist nature, carried out, the same day, with the same seller and relate to an amount greater than or equal to 2.000 MAD (approximately 200 USD including VAT.
At the time of purchase and in addition to the invoice, the seller must give you an export sales slip (consisting of an original copy and three copies) bearing his stamp. You must simultaneously present the goods, the corresponding sales slip and invoices (cashier’s receipts) to the visa of customs when leaving Moroccan territory.
Purchased items must be exported by you by the end of the third month following the date of purchase.
services.
From design and decor to food and travel, moroccanzest is the space where I share what I loved growing up in Morocco, and more. It’s your destination for everything beautiful, artistic, and made the Moroccan way with love.
Learn more about me here.
