Importing Personal Effects into Morocco: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2025 · Download the Morocco Import Guide (PDF)

Removal goods

• Foreigners: Workers
• Copy of passport pages including page with photo and the page with the stamp of 1st entry into Morocco (consists of 6 digits / 2 letters),
• Either: A signed original Change of Residence Certificate (in French), dated less than 6 months, and stamped on an official letterhead from the city hall or embassy at origin. The name and position of the signatory must appear. Certain nationalities can obtain this document from the consulate in Morocco, but this should be verified before departure from the country of origin,
• And / or: A certified copy of the Foreign Employment Contract (CTE) stamped and approved by the Moroccan Ministry of Labour,
• Copy of work certificate from employer in Morocco,
• Detailed inventory, valued, dated, and signed by the customer,
• Invoices for items purchased less than six (6) months before shipment's arrival,
• Original sworn statement, signed, and dated less than 3 months, by the customer. The customer must certify that the items are used and not intended for resale,
• Original power of attorney, completed, dated within the last 3 months and with the
• shipper’s certified signature (this can be done in Morocco),
• Copy of lease agreement in Morocco (if personal effects are imported by road),
• Information sheet. Returning Morrocan citizens
• Copy of Moroccan passport,
• Copy of National Identity Card,
• Original Change of Residence Certificate in French stamped by the Moroccan consulate of origin on departure and bearing the words “Retour Définitif”,
• Detailed inventory, valued, dated, and signed by the customer and stamped by the consulate of origin on departure,
• Invoices for items purchased less than six (6) months before shipment’s arrival in Morocco,
• Original sworn statement, signed, and dated less than 3 months,
• Original power of attorney, completed, dated within the last 3 months and with the shipper’s certified signature (this can be done in Morocco),
• Information sheet.

• For all categories:
• Shipments are exempt of tax and duties if customs clearance is obtained.
• Used household goods that have been in the shipper's possession for more than 6 months are exempt from tax.
• Containers are systematically inspected by customs, except for diplomatic shipments.
• Documents must arrive in Morocco 15 days before shipment’s arrival to apply for exemption. Documents must be in French or Arabic.
• If the customer has two shipments (for example, one sea and one air or two sea shipments), the documents must be provided in duplicate.
• Certification of a document in Morocco is valid for 3 months.
• After this period, the document must be recertified.
• New household goods must be in limited quantities and repackaged in order to be considered as used personal effects by customs
• In addition to the documents requested, it will also be compulsory for the removal agent at origin/customer to provide:
• The freight invoice for the move,
• The packing list in French.
• Moroccan customs only accept documents in
• French and Arabic. Translations will be invoiced to the customer.
• DUTIES and TAXES:
• If the customer does not have the import documents required for the exemption, the shipment will be subject to the payment of duties and taxes. The following documents will be required for the processing of these files:
• A detailed packing list with the weight and value of each box,
• Copy of passport pages including page with photo and the page with the stamp of 1st entry into Morocco (consists of 6 digits / 2 letters,
• Original power of attorney, completed, dated within the last 3 months and with the shipper’s certified signature (this can be done in Morocco),
• Original sworn statement, signed and dated less than 3 months, by the customer. The customer must certify that the items are used and not intended for resale.

Diplomats' removals

• Copy of diplomatic passport pages including page with photo and the page with the stamp of 1st entry into Morocco (consists of 6 digits / 2 letters),
• Copy of Diplomatic card,
• Original “Bon de franchise” exemption, issued by the embassy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
• Detailed inventory, valued, dated, and signed by the customer and stamped by the
• Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
• Invoices for items purchased less than six
• months before shipment’s arrival in Morocco,
• Information sheet.

• For alcohol, see under the wine/alcohol section.

• Contact your local agent for more information

Prohibited items

• Firearms and ammunitions,
• Swords and daggers,
• Drones,
• Illegal drugs,
• Tyres,
• Telephones, answering machines, faxes, and walkie-talkies (except for diplomats),
• Animals, flowers, and antiques are subject to special rules. Please contact your agent in advance,
• All objects, books or documents illustrating or evoking Western Sahara

• Any flying objects without pilot are to be considered as drone, even kids toys.
• Alcohol – see separate section

Plants

• Phytosanitary certificate.

• Avoid plants because the authority delivering the certificate is complex and slow.

Wine, alcohol

• Non-diplomats: Prohibited / Forbidden.
• Diplomats: Regardless of the type of transport chosen, diplomats benefit from a limit of:
• 90 bottles maximum,
• Upon presentation of the original “bon de franchise”

• The container/truck will be blocked, and the bottles removed for destruction. This will be followed by a custom fine and any additional costs (demurrage/storage/ immobilisation).

Tins & food

• Non-diplomats:
• For road and sea shipments only:
• Limit to 2 standard cartons,
• The contents must be made up of different items that have already been opened.
• Diplomats:
• Regardless of the type of transport chosen, diplomats benefit from an exemption:
• Upon presentation of the original “bon de franchise”.

• Avoid canned food and pet food, customs can request analyse from agricultural ministry which costs time and money.

Cellular or cordless telephones, fax machines, satellite talkie-walkie

• Contact your local agent for more information

Exporting Personal Effects from Morocco: Documents & Customs Rules

Source: FIDI Customs Guide · Updated 2025 · Download the Morocco Export Guide (PDF)

Removal Goods – HHG/PE

• For Foreigners
• Original certificate change of residence
• From police or form his Embassy in
• Morocco
• Copy of passport in colour with page of first entry to Morocco
• Power of attorney to your local agent
• Commitment
• List valued for customs
• List signed by customer for prohibited items
• For diplomat
• Attestation from Embassy for departure From Morocco
• Inventory list valued stamped from Embassy
• Copy of passport in colour with the visa the page of entry to Morocco
• Copy diplomatic card
• Power of attorney to your local agent
• For Moroccan
• Original attestation of mutation
• Copy of contract work
• Copy of Moroccan passport
• List valued for customs
• List of prohibited items signed
• Power of attorney to your local agent

• Documents for diplomatic car
• Attestation from Embassy
• Authorisation Ministry of foreign
• Copy grey card
• Copy passport in colour with page of entry to Morocco
• Power of attorney to your local agent
• Value of car

Morocco Moving Guide: Documents, Duties & Shipping Notes

Source: IAM Country Guide · Updated 2026-09-05 · Download the Morocco Country Guide (PDF)

Documents

Documents required for importing used household goods, personal effects, and related shipments.

• Copy of passport with entry stamp into Morocco
• Original Certificate of Change of Residence (CCR), stamped by the Moroccan Consulate in the country of departure. The CCR must be on official municipal letterhead, signed and stamped. It can be obtained at most Moroccan consulates and embassies abroad. Confirm requirements with the destination agent before departure.
• Original attestation of definitive return from the Moroccan Embassy
• Detailed inventory in French or Arabic, dated, valued, and signed by the owner
• Packing list, detailed, dated, and signed
• Work contract or original attestation from a Moroccan company
• Salary advice for the last 2 years
• Sworn statement confirming goods are used (original required), with Power of Attorney bearing a legalized signature. The template for the sworn statement is provided by the Moroccan destination agent.
• Exemption certificate, if applicable
• Original Bill of Lading (OBL) / Express Release / Air Waybill (AWB)
• Signed customer declaration regarding prohibited items

• Copy of passport in colour, including the page showing first entry into Morocco
• Original Certificate of Change of Residence, issued by the police or the owner's Embassy in Morocco
• Resident permit / work permit / letter of employment
• Detailed inventory in French or Arabic, dated, valued, and signed by the owner
• Packing list, detailed, dated, and signed
• Sworn statement confirming goods are used (original required), with Power of Attorney bearing a legalized signature
• Original OBL / Express Release / AWB
• Invoices for electrical and hi-fi appliances, and any items purchased within 6 months prior to import
• Signed customer declaration regarding prohibited items

• Franchising letter delivered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Rabat (in French)
• Inventory in French or Arabic, stamped by the diplomatic entity
• Copy of passport
• Power of Attorney on diplomatic entity letterhead, stamped
• Sworn statement on diplomatic entity letterhead, stamped
• Verbal note from the diplomatic entity

Specific Information

Inheritance follows the same duty-free conditions as removal goods, with a notary act identifying the deceased and the heir's family relationship, a notary-issued inventory, and a copy of the heir's passport.

Used household goods and personal effects may be imported duty-free provided they have been in the owner's possession and use for a minimum of 6 months and the applicable exemption documentation has been obtained. New articles are subject to Moroccan import duties and taxes, which can be approximately 50% of assessed value depending on the item category. All documents must be express-mailed to the destination agent at least 15 days prior to shipment arrival to allow time to apply for the duty-free exemption.

If goods are shipped in two separate consignments, the second shipment must arrive no later than 6 months after the first.

Antiques and works of art are duty-free when used and forming part of removal goods, but require a detailed valued inventory and an authorisation issued by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

Container inspection: All containers are systematically inspected by Moroccan Customs. Electrical and household appliances should be placed near the container doors for ease of access by inspectors. Media such as DVDs, CDs, and digital storage devices will also be inspected and must be easily identifiable.

Currency declaration: Foreign nationals carrying the equivalent of 100,000 MAD (approximately USD 10,000) or more in cash or bearer instruments must declare this to Customs on arrival. The declaration must be retained to justify the origin of funds on departure. It is valid for one stay only, for a period of up to 6 months.

ISPM 15: All wooden packing materials must comply with ISPM 15 phytosanitary standards and bear the appropriate mark. Confirm current requirements with the destination agent, as enforcement can vary by port of entry.

Duties & Taxes

Wedding trousseaux are duty-free except for new items. Required documents: wedding certificate, original CCR, inventory in French or Arabic, proof of the spouse's residence in Morocco, Power of Attorney with legalized signature, and sworn statement (original required).

Prohibited & Restricted Items

The following items are prohibited from import into Morocco:

• Narcotic drugs and controlled substances
• Pornographic materials of any kind. Possession, distribution, or importation is illegal under Moroccan law.
• Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The importation of drones has been prohibited since March 2015 and applies to all consumer and recreational drones regardless of size or weight. Drones detected at Customs will be confiscated. A deposit fee may allow recovery of the device on departure if declared upon entry. Professional productions may apply for a special import permit, which typically takes approximately 40 days to obtain. *(Permit Required)*
• Books, magazines, or printed materials that are pornographic, politically hostile to the Moroccan Kingdom, or Islamophobic
• Maps depicting the southern provinces of Morocco as a separate territory will be confiscated
• Used tyres
• Used clothing (commercial quantities)
• Rugs similar to those produced domestically (commercial quantities) *(Permit Required for exceptions)*
• Explosives and related materials *(Permit Required)*
• Firearms not meeting the restricted hunting weapon criteria *(Permit Required)*
• Endangered species and products derived from CITES-listed wildlife *(CITES)*

New articles included in a removal shipment are subject to Moroccan import duties and taxes (approximately 50% of assessed value, depending on category). New articles require a separate invoice and packing list.

Alcohol (fond de cave): Alcohol included as part of a removal must be noted as "fond de cave" on the packing list and must appear to have been purchased prior to the move (bottles should not be in new, unopened outer cases). Allowances by importer status:

• Foreign nationals: up to 25 to 30 bottles total (15 opened bottles plus 15 unopened bottles)
• Diplomats: up to 19 boxes of alcohol (each box containing 6 or 12 bottles)

Hunting arms and ammunition: Smooth-barreled hunting weapons may be imported duty-free as part of removal goods when used and accompanied by a hunting permit and firearm acquisition certificate. If documents are not present at inspection, firearms will be retained by Customs until the required permits are obtained. Firearms and ammunition must be easily identifiable and placed near the container doors.

Cellular and satellite communication equipment: Mobile phones, cordless telephones, fax machines, and satellite walkie-talkies require a declaration and certificate to be submitted to the ANRT (Agence Nationale de Reglementation des Telecommunications). Confirm current procedures with the destination agent prior to shipping.

Tinned food and pet food: Small quantities admitted as part of removal goods. Customs may request laboratory analysis from the Ministry of Agriculture, which adds time and cost. It is advisable to minimise these items in shipments.

Medicine: Personal-use quantities are admitted. A medical certificate and prescription should accompany any medication. Quantities beyond personal use require prior authorisation from the Ministry of Health.

Antiques and works of art: Duty-free when used and forming part of removal goods, subject to a detailed valued inventory and authorisation from the Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

Books, records, and cassettes: Admitted without a separate list requirement.

Consignment Instructions

Recommended: Contact the destination agent to ensure all requirements have been met prior to import, especially for differences regarding air / sea / road shipments.

Inventory preparation: All inventories must be in French or Arabic, dated, valued in a specified currency, and signed by the owner. A separate packing list must also be detailed, dated, and signed. A signed customer declaration regarding prohibited items is required.

Document lead times: Household goods documents must be express-mailed to the destination agent at least 15 days before shipment arrival. Vehicle documents must be received at least 1 month before arrival. Missing these deadlines risks storage and demurrage charges and delays in clearance.

Container inspection: All containers are systematically inspected by Moroccan Customs. Electrical appliances and high-value items should be placed near the container doors. Media (DVDs, CDs, digital storage) will be inspected and must be easily identifiable.

Unpredictable expenses: Port and airport taxes are payable upon collection of personal effects. Storage and demurrage accrue quickly if documentation is incomplete or delayed. Canned and pet food may be subject to agricultural ministry laboratory analysis at the importer's cost. New items in a shipment are subject to duties that cannot be waived.

Principal ports of entry: Casablanca (primary seaport), Tangier Med, and Agadir by sea; international airports in Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, and Fes. Confirm routing and port clearance procedures with the destination agent.