Car in Morocco: the 180-day rule that many MREs ignore

Moroccans residing abroad can benefit from the temporary admission scheme for a passenger car or light commercial vehicle, provided that the vehicle is intended for strictly personal and tourist use. This facility applies to vehicles registered abroad, either normally or provisionally.

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The authorized duration is 180 days per calendar year. These six months can be used all at once or spread out over the course of the year. In other words, an MRE can enter Morocco several times with their vehicle, but the total duration of the vehicle’s presence on Moroccan territory must not exceed 180 days in the same year.

Customs specifies that this deadline cannot be extended. Upon expiration of temporary admission, the vehicle owner must regularize the vehicle’s situation. They can either take it out of Morocco or clear it through customs according to current conditions, with payment of applicable duties and taxes.

One particular point concerns stays that span two calendar years. When an MRE remains in Morocco continuously between the end of one year and the beginning of the following year, the unused balance from the current year can be used without the vehicle owner being obliged to leave Moroccan territory.

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Customs also provides a facility starting December 1st. Temporary admissions expiring from this date can be extended without interruption of stay and without penalty, for an additional six-month period, counted toward the following year. However, persons whose temporary admission has already expired before December 1st must pay the penalty provided for in case of overstay.

In summary:

• an MRE can enter Morocco with a foreign-registered car;

• the vehicle must be used for personal and tourist purposes;

• the maximum duration is 180 days per calendar year;

• these 180 days can be used all at once or in multiple stays;

• the deadline cannot be extended, except for special facilities provided at year-end;

• at the end of the deadline, the vehicle must be re-exported or cleared through customs.