Morocco Modernizes Customs System to Combat Tax Evasion and Smuggling

The new agreement signed between customs and the company SICPA SA provides for investments and functionalities that revolve around the creation of local added value, through the production of tax stamps at the national level, the press release from the customs administration reports.

The same source also announces the installation, through this agreement, of a center of excellence, expertise and research in Morocco, in order to promote the transfer of expertise at the local level and the possibility of opening up to African markets.

In addition, new tracking and traceability technologies, such as the use of QR codes and alphanumeric HRC codes, are planned to allow operators and consumers to verify the authenticity of products.

Furthermore, a solution based on more advanced technological requirements is initiated with a significant reduction in the costs of tax stamps, in the order of 50% for manufactured tobacco, 35% for beers and 20% for other products, specifies the same press release.

Indeed, a few years ago, the ADII had embarked on a process of reforming the control of the production and import of certain goods subject to TIC, in particular manufactured tobacco, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, in order to optimize its means of action (human and material) while improving its results.

The materialization of this vision was therefore effective in 2010 with the adoption of an integrated and secure tax marking system, provided. It was installed by an operator selected following an international call for tenders.

It made it possible to reduce the staff allocated to control, in terms of TIC, not to mention the improvement of the tax yield of these taxes, as well as the fight against fraud and smuggling.