Morocco Tightens Border Controls on Financial Transactions During Holiday Season

The stakeholders are updating the electronic data exchange channels. The electronic exchange of data focuses on monitoring the activity of Moroccan bank cards usable internationally, on examining the amounts of financial transactions made using these cards, as well as on the nature of the goods acquired, in order to compare them with the declarations of the persons concerned. To succeed in this endeavor, the specialized central services of the Customs Administration have communicated to the regional customs control teams a list of suspicious traveler identities, including Moroccans and foreigners, according to sources at Hespress. This list was drawn up based on precise information received from foreign customs services and international and national alerts. Suspicious air and sea travel itineraries have also been identified as part of the strengthening of vigilance and surveillance on certain specific destinations.

The control services have also involved the Department of Prevention and Litigation of the General Directorate of Customs in order to ensure the legality of interventions aimed at correcting the customs situation of large quantities of goods entered through the aforementioned crossing points. The adopted regulations will be applied within the framework of the unification of rules and adaptation to international standards, given that Morocco is a member of the World Customs Organization, the same sources further indicate, specifying that a strict application will be imposed on the persons concerned (resident Moroccans) transporting goods declared as gifts worth more than 2,000 dirhams, as well as on Moroccans residing abroad for values exceeding 20,000 dirhams.

The various services involved in the search and control operations also ensure the legal status of the persons concerned, with a clear distinction between traders and other declarants, in order to subject the seized goods to customs duties. The information available to the controllers has confirmed that several of the suspects on the aforementioned list are involved in the illegal importation of products and luxury goods through private flights or through other accompanying persons.

According to customs regulations, only goods such as personal effects (clothing, shoes, etc.), a 150 ml perfume bottle, a 250 ml toilet water bottle, 250 grams of manufactured tobacco, a one-liter bottle of wine, and a one-liter bottle of alcoholic beverages do not require customs clearance. Not to mention souvenirs and gifts in limited quantities, without a commercial character, and whose total value does not exceed 2,000 dirhams.