International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for
Morocco
MOROCCO On behalf of UniGroup Relocation, we will be coordinating the shipment of your goods to Morocco. To simplify the process, we have outlined the necessary steps to ensure a smooth transition. This will also review your responsibilities in assisting with this process. In addition to the points below, the following pages will outline the requirements, which will be facilitated by our local representative to complete the clearance. They will assist with each item specific to your shipment so please be assured they will do whatever is necessary to facilitate a quick and efficient clearance. The documentation process, for example, passports, visas, power of attorney, etc., can take one week to 14 days plus the transportation – airfreight – seven to 21 days / weeks and ocean – six to eight weeks, depending on the origin. It is extremely important that you take a few moments to review these important requirements, as they will allow us to process the release of your personal property through foreign customs. Customs and immigration requirements are established by the country of import and not by UniGroup Relocation. This guide has been designed to assist clients understand and comply with country-specific requirements. Substantial effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is current and correct. Such regulations, however, are subject to change without notice by the country of import. UniGroup Relocation assumes no liability for changes in the law or interpretation by enforcement personnel as it exists at the time you and/or your goods enter the country.
Visa Requirements – Details Please advise your local representative or UniGroup Relocation Representative of the “Type” of passport or visa you will be travelling under (working visa, temporary visa, diplomatic, etc.). When moving to Morocco, some specific documents will be required in order to satisfy local immigration officials. *Contact address and telephone number must be listed on all documents.
Required Documents
Details
Visitors/Tourists Ordinary Visa (three months)
Requirements for Ordinary Visa: • The applicant must be in possession of valid passport for at least six months from the date of visit. • Three visa forms • Three passport size photographs • Confirmed onward/ return ticket and hotel reservation • Sufficient proof of funds
Transit Visa
Visa is not required in case confining the journey to connecting flight within 24 hours without leaving airport. Requirements for Transit Visa: • Three visa forms • Three passport size photographs • Confirmed onward journey ticket
Effective: Jan. 1, 2010
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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for
Morocco
Returning Residents Laissez Passer
A Laissez-passer is an emergency travel document issued to Moroccan nationals to allow them to return to Morocco in case they lost their passports and they cannot wait for the lost passport procedure to be completed. This document is issued only after proof of Moroccan Citizenship. The following documents are required: • Fill out the enclosed application. • A police report indicating the loss of passport. • Copy of lost passport. • The original/or copy of the Moroccan National ID. • Two pictures. • A money order of $22 payable to the Consulate of Morocco.
Businesspeople Business Visa
Requirements for Ordinary Visa: • The applicant must be in possession of valid passport for at least six months from the date of visit. • Three visa forms. • Three passport size photographs. • Confirmed onward/ return ticket and hotel reservation. • Sufficient proof of funds. • Letter of invitation from associates in Morocco. • Covering letter from the applicant’s company.
Diplomats Diplomatic Passport
Required.
Employees Work Visa
Requirements for Work Visa: • Passport with validity of more than 6 months. • Three visa application forms duly filled in and signed. • Three recent passport size color photographs with a light background to be glued on the appropriate place on the visa application form. • Covering letter from the applicant on company's letter head stating his name, designation, purpose and duration of visit. • Original work permits to be arranged by the Moroccan company and sent. • Confirmed one way Air Ticket. • Personal appearance is mandatory.
Documents Requirements – Details When moving to Morocco, some specific documents will be required in order to satisfy local immigration officials.
Effective: Jan. 1, 2010
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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for
Morocco
PERSONAL & HOUSEHOLD GOODS
Customs authorities in Morocco must be informed of any additional shipments to be arriving, upon arrival of the first shipment. Moroccan’s customs only accept French documents. Shipper’s presence is not required for customs clearance. Documents required for importing personal & household goods:
Required Documents
Details
Passports
Shipper must provide the passports for all family members entering Morocco.
Packing List
Required.
Original Change of Residence Certificate
Three original required.
Inventory List of Personal & Household Goods
Shipper must provide a detailed, valued inventory in French, listing all personal and household goods. The inventory must be signed and dated by the shipper.
Inventory List of Books, Videos, CDs, etc.
Detailed list of all books, videos, CDs, cassette tapes and DVDs - include titles and authors.
Invoices of Electrical items and appliances
For electrical items and appliances less than six months old, invoices will be required.
Work Contract
Work contract issued by the Labor Ministry in Rabat.
Resident or Work Permit or Letter from Employer
Resident or Work Permit or letter from employer verifying shipper is moving to Morocco to fulfill a new contract.
Duty Free Certificate
Certificate for free entry provided by the Customs Head Office.
Returning Residence Change of Residence Certificate & Inventory
Returning residents must provide the Change of residence & detailed inventory stamped by Moroccan consulate in country of departure.
Work Permit
Required.
Salary Certificate
Evidence of salary for previous two years.
Diplomatic Shipments Passport
Copy of passport.
Duty Free Certificate
Duty Free Certificate is necessary to clear the shipment.
Diplomatic Franchise
Diplomatic Franchise which must be obtained through the Embassy directly with the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Details: • • • •
Diplomatic shipments may take 8 days to three weeks to obtain this document and during this time the shipment may incur demurrage and/or storage charges, which may not be covered by the Embassy. Customs authorities in Morocco must be informed of any additional shipments to be arriving, upon arrival of the first shipment. It is recommended that all electrical household appliances be loaded at the door of the container for access during customs clearance. Containers are systematically checked by Customs.
Effective: Jan. 1, 2010
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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for
Morocco
Duties •
Used personal and household goods in reasonable quantities may be imported duty-free if owned for more than 6 months.
Restricted and Prohibited – Imports All countries, Morocco included, prohibit or restrict the importation of certain dangerous or sensitive items.
Restricted Items: • • • • • • • • •
Computers and electronics are subject to tax. Personal jewelry is limited to 500 grams. Religious materials. Antiques. Business equipment. Large quantities of money. Portable phones. Medicine. Printed material, records, cassettes, DVDs, VHS tapes, etc. will be censored and should be loaded near the door of the container for easy access.
Prohibited Items • • • • • • • • •
Explosives, firearms and ammunition. Drugs. Pornography & politically sensitive materials. Walkie-talkies. Narcotics. Phones, answering machines and fax machines. Alcohol is prohibited, except for diplomatic shipments. Tobacco products. Moroccan currency.
Restricted and Prohibited – Exports •
Not available.
Effective: Jan. 1, 2010
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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for
Morocco
Motor Vehicles – Imports The motor vehicles may be temporarily imported for three months without duty. Beyond this time, the shipper must pay Customs duty or export the vehicle. The following documents are required for the importation of motor vehicles:
Required Documents
Details
Title and Registration
Original proof of ownership.
Shipper’s Passport
Notarized copy of shipper’s entire passport.
Original Invoice
Please verify with your local representative.
Bill of Lading/Airway Bill
Shipper must provide the original Bill of Lading/Airway Bill which must include chassis number and weight of vehicle.
Original Vehicle License
Please verify with your local representative.
Details: • • •
One or two used automobiles may be imported as part of a household goods shipment, but they are subject to duty (the amount will be determined in Casablanca). The vehicles must be for personal use only, not for sale, rental, or transfer. All vehicles, including wreckage, must be exported when residency terminates. Motor vehicles are highly dutiable.
Motor Vehicles – Exports •
Not available.
Pets The requirements to transport dogs and cats may vary per country. If you wish to ship your pet, please contact the airline or country Consulate/Embassy for specific details concerning your type, breed and documentation for pets.
Effective: Jan. 1, 2010
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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for
Morocco
IMPORTANT CUSTOMS REMINDER Customs and immigration requirements are established by the country of import, not by UniGroup Relocation and are subject to change without notice by the country of import. All regulations may vary according to the customer’s nationality or immigration status. This guide has been designed to assist clients understand and comply with country-specific requirements. Substantial effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is current and correct. UniGroup Relocation cannot be responsible for changes in the law, or interpretation by immigration or customs enforcement personnel, or non-compliance with the law as it exists at the time you and/or your goods enter the country. Contact with the local Consulate or Embassy for further information concerning your specific visa, residence and entry situation is strongly recommended prior to planning your move.
Effective: Jan. 1, 2010
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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for
Morocco
WOOD PACKAGING MATERIAL International wood packing requirements are in accordance with ISPM 15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures: Guidelines for Regulating Wood Packaging Material in International Trade*) as of 5 July 2006: *ISPM 15 is produced by the Secretariat of the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) of the United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). ISPM 15 requires certain phytosanitary procedures, in particular heat treatment or methyl bromide fumigation, relating to wood packaging material (including dunnage) made of raw wood in use in international trade; the phytosanitary procedures are meant to minimize the risk of introducing and spreading certain pests that live and breed in raw wood.
REQUIREMENTS OF ISPM 15 Wood packaging material in the form of: • • • • • •
Packing cases, boxes, crates, drums, and similar packings Pallets, box pallets, skids, and other load boards Pallet collars actually in use in the transport of objects of all kinds, except: Raw wood of 6mm thickness or less Processed wood produced by glue, heat and pressure, or any combination thereof
Effective: Jan. 1, 2010
The wood packaging material shall: • •
Be subject to one of the approved measures as specified in Annex I To FAO ISPM 15 (currently, heat treatment or methyl bromide fumigation) Display a mark with: o The two-letter ISO Country Code (in place of XX in the image below) o A code identifying the producer (in place of 000 in the image below) o The code identifying the approved measure applied to the wood packing material in the mark as specified in Annex II to FAO ISPM 15 (in place of YY in the image below; examples are HT For “Heat Treatment” and MB for “Methyl Bromide Fumigation”) o Where “debarking” is required, the letters “DB” shall be added to the abbreviation of the approved measure included in the said mark o The logo as specified in Annex II to FAO ISPM 15 (this logo is the ippc trademarked graphic symbol shown in the image below on the left side)
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International Shipment & Customs Regulations and Information for
Morocco
REQUIREMENTS OF ISPM 15 (Continued) Wood packaging material in the form of:
The wood packaging material shall: •
Markings should be: 1. 2.
• •
Permanent and not transferable Legible and visible, preferably on at least two opposite sides of the article being certified
Be marked in accordance with Annex II to FAO ISPM 15 (see directly above under "Display a mark with:") If not, at a minimum it should be made from bark-free wood that is free from pests and signs of live pests
DUNNAGE, i.e. wood used to wedge or support non-wood cargo, including that which has not kept its natural round surface except: • •
Raw wood of 6mm thickness or less Processed wood produced by glue, heat and pressure, or a combination thereof
Effective: Jan. 1, 2010
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