Moroccan Customs Crackdown: New Rules for Foreign Vehicles Shake Up MRE Travel Plans

This procedure, common for Moroccans residing abroad (MREs), is governed by the Temporary Admission (TA) system, which allows the use of a vehicle on the territory for a maximum of 180 days per year, free of customs duties and taxes.

The fundamental principle of this system is its nominative and personal nature. The Temporary Admission authorization is generally granted to the holder of the registration certificate. For the latter, the procedure is direct and only requires the presentation of the standard vehicle documents and proof of residence abroad.

However, the regulations allow a third party to import and drive the vehicle. To do this, the driver must obligatorily present himself to the customs services with a power of attorney duly established by the owner. This document, which may be under private signature, is essential and must be accompanied by the following documents:

• A written and signed power of attorney by the owner, mentioning the full identity of the owner and the driver, as well as the characteristics of the vehicle.
• A copy of the owner’s ID.

A distinct scenario concerns rental vehicles. The renter of a vehicle registered abroad can also benefit from the Temporary Admission system. The validation of the entry is then conditioned by the presentation of the following documents:

• The valid rental contract established in the name of the driver.
• The vehicle registration certificate.
• Any exit authorization from the territory issued by the rental agency, if it requires it.

In this situation, the duration of the TA granted will correspond to the validity period stipulated in the rental contract.

It is essential to note that the TA system is subject to strict restrictions to avoid any misuse. Thus, the same vehicle cannot benefit from the TA a second time during the same calendar year with a different driver, except in the case of an officially recorded change of owner. Moreover, any sale or transfer of the vehicle to a resident in Morocco without customs clearance is strictly prohibited and exposes to serious sanctions. The obligation to re-export the vehicle within the allotted time is imperative.

Failure to comply with the conditions for presenting documents at the border crossing may result in immediate measures by the customs services:

• Rejection of the vehicle.
• Its administrative detention.
• The application and payment of the normally due duties and taxes.

Travelers are strongly advised to consult the detailed information on the official portal of the Customs and Indirect Taxes Administration or to contact a customs office before their departure.