Moroccan Expats Face Strict Rules for Temporary Vehicle Import: What You Need to Know

A specific case concerns recently acquired vehicles that only have a temporary registration certificate. This operation is authorized, but it is subject to conditions that must be mastered.

For a vehicle to be eligible for temporary admission with such a document, it must meet two cumulative criteria:

• The temporary title deed must be valid at the exact time of entry into Moroccan territory.
• This same certificate must be issued in the name of the MRE who presents himself at the border and who requests the benefit of this regime.
• The main specificity of this procedure concerns the authorized length of stay. It is clearly distinguished from the standard AT regime, which grants the vehicle a presence on the territory for a period of 180 days per calendar year. In the case of a temporary registration, the duration of the temporary admission is strictly indexed to the remaining validity period of the certificate. No additional days are granted beyond this deadline.

Failure to comply with this framework exposes the driver to administrative sanctions. Presenting customs with an expired certificate results in systematic vehicle rejection or immobilization. Similarly, any exceeding of the authorized length of stay constitutes a customs offense. It should be remembered that the AT regime is strictly nominal and that the vehicle cannot be driven by another person without prior declaration to the competent services.

From an administrative standpoint, the driver must present himself at the border crossing with a complete file. The required documents are as follows:

• The valid temporary title deed.
• The Moroccan passport or a residence permit attesting to residence abroad.
• Proof of this residence outside Morocco.
• A valid insurance certificate.
• The formal application for temporary admission is to be filled out directly on site with the customs services.

In summary, Moroccan customs legislation allows the temporary importation of a vehicle with a temporary registration. However, this process depends on strict adherence to the established rules, particularly regarding the validity of the documents and the resulting limitation of the length of stay.