Morocco, a country in northwest Africa

Morocco is located at the northwestern tip of Africa, at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain, and has a climate similar to that of Europe. In the north, there are resort areas facing the Mediterranean Sea and the "blue city" of Chefchaouen, and in the south, the Sahara Desert. It is also a popular tourist destination where European, African and Arab cultures mix, but this time we will introduce Morocco from a trade perspective along with some basic data.

Basic information about Morocco

The basic data is as follows:

・Official name:Kingdom of Morocco

·population:36.66 million people (June 2022, Moroccan Statistics Institute)

・Area: 446,550㎢ *57th place in the world.1.2 times that of Japan.

・Capital: Rabat

·language:Arabic (Official), Berber (Official), French

・Ethnicity:Arab 65%, Berber 30%, Other 5%

Religion: Islam (Sunni)

Major industries: agriculture (wheat, potatoes, tomatoes, olives, citrus fruits, melons), fisheries (octopus, squid, sardines), mining (phosphate rock), manufacturing (textiles, leather products, food processing, automobiles, automobile parts, electronic parts, aircraft parts), tourism

- Total nominal GDP: 1.315 trillion yen in 2021Dollar World No. 59,5th in Africa

・Nominal GDP per capita: $3,620 in 2021 (122nd in the world)

Trade situation with Japan

Imports are relatively more active in trade with Morocco, and Japan imports a lot of seafood, including octopus and squid.

Japan's exports:2.27Billion Dollars

Japan's main exports:Transportation equipment (39.0%, automobiles, etc.), electrical equipment (20.8%), general machinery (20.0%)

Japan's imports: $357 million

Japan's main imports:Seafood (55.9%), clothing and accessories (16.0%)

In addition, there are relatively few Japanese people working locally, with only 70 Japanese corporate bases (as of October 1, 2020) and 355 Japanese residents (as of October 1, 2021).

Export procedures for goods to Morocco

☆Import restrictions

First, check whether the product you want to export is subject to regulations and whether you can export it if you go through the necessary procedures.

You can check these through JETRO's trade control system..
▶Trade Control System | Morocco – Africa – By Country/Region – JETRO

 

☆Import/export license application

A business registration number is required in advance to apply for an import/export license.

Certain items require licenses or prior notification.

Import and export procedures have been digitized since May 2015. General import applications, import license applications, and export license applications can be submitted through the online application window "PortNet" Let's use it.

 

Import is free for all items other than those prohibited from import and those requiring an import license or prior import declaration.

1. Pre-application procedures

A business registration number is required for imports into Morocco.

The commercial register number is assigned by the court of first instance at the importer's principal place of business or head office.

 

2. General import application

Importers can apply online atPortNet" to register as a user and create an import contract (engagement d'importation).

In addition, you will need to attach an invoice (filling in the unit price, import volume, product name of the imported item, delivery terms, country of origin, and payment terms) and designate the account you have opened with your bank as the bill payee online. Once you have designated the bill payee, the import contract will be automatically notified online to the foreign exchange bureau, the ministry in charge of trade, the customs office in charge, and the importer. The import contract will be valid for six months from the completion of the bill payee designation. Note that an import contract is not required for imports that do not involve payment.

When exporting goods by businesses or natural or legal persons (such as agricultural cooperatives, universities, embassies, tourists, etc.) that are not registered in the commercial register, the customs office will assign a number to replace the commercial register number. All of this can be done online.

 

3. Application for import of items requiring an import license

Importers register using the online application window "PortNet" and provisionally designate their bank as a bill payee (Pré-domiciliation) online. They prepare an import license (Licence d'importation) application, attach an invoice (see 2. General import application above), and submit it online to the Ministry of Foreign Trade. The Ministry will notify them whether the license has been granted. Once the license is granted, the importer's bank will domiciliate the bill payee, and the import license will be automatically notified online to the foreign exchange bureau, the Ministry of Foreign Trade, and the relevant customs office. The import license is valid for six months from the date of issuance of the visa by the Ministry of Foreign Trade, and all of this can be done online.

 

4. Application for import of items that require advance import declaration

Advance import declarations may be required for imports of items that may cause significant injury to Moroccan domestic industries. Declarations are mandatory for large-scale imports, imports of items subsidized by the exporting country, and items imported at prices equivalent to dumping, during the period of review (usually 9 to 18 months) to determine whether additional tariffs or import volume restrictions (contingents) should be imposed. The purpose of the declaration is not to impose volume restrictions or import permits, but to collect detailed data on the actual importer, import volume, import origin, import price, etc.

On the other hand, since the introduction of the online application window "PortNet," which makes it possible to automatically collect and analyze data on the import of the relevant items, advance import declarations have essentially become unnecessary, and the system has become a mere formality.

 

5. Application for import of items eligible for tax exemption

For products that are freely importable (not subject to a license) but subject to import quotas within the framework of a free trade agreement/tariff and trade agreement, an application for duty exemption must be made. The application for a duty exemption (Demande de Franchise Douanière: DFD) can be made on "PortNet" from April 2020 onwards. The DFD is prepared online and the invoice is uploaded on PortNet. The progress and approval of the duty exemption visa issued by the Ministry of Trade can also be tracked online.

 

If you are unable to apply online, you will need to submit a PDF copy of the Customs Duty Exemption Form (DFD) together with the invoice (see 2. General Import Application above) by email to the Ministry of Trade. The validity of the duty exemption permit is up to 6 months from the date of visa issue.

 

6. Inspection and testing of imported goods

a. Industrial product compliance certification (if required) and inspection

The import of industrial products subject to standards may require the presentation of a Certificate of Compliance with Standards (Attestation de conformité aux norms) issued by the Ministry in charge of Industry.

 

b. Health certificate of the country of origin of animals, animal/plant foods, fishery products, etc.

An official health certificate from the country of origin (or the country of transit) is required for the import of live animals, animal or plant foods, products derived from animals or plants (including insecticides, pesticides, cosmetics and fertilizers), food additives, fishery products, and feed.

 

c. Plant quarantine

Import is permitted only after a certificate is issued by the Food Safety and Hygiene Agency (ONSSA). Customs clearance is only possible at ports and airports where health and hygiene inspections and import volume inspections can be carried out.

 

7. Preparation and submission of cargo declaration (DUM: Declaration unique des marchandises)

Upon arrival of the imported goods, the forwarder will make a simplified declaration (declaration sommaire) to the customs authorities through the customs clearance system "BADR". A detailed declaration will be submitted online along with the invoice, import contract documents and any other documents required depending on the product.

☆ Required documents

When importing into Morocco, the following items are required:

・Applying for an import contract or license (online application)

Invoice

・Cargo Declaration Form (DUM, online application)

・Bill of transportation/waybill

・Certificate of origin (if the item is duty-free)

・Packing list

・Various inspection and approval certificates, etc.

Summary of Moroccan trade and export basics

In trade with Morocco, automobile exports from Japan are thriving. Demand for automobiles and machinery is expected to continue to grow. This site also introduces other countries, so please take a look.

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