Morocco Tightens Grip on Weapons Trade: New Regulations Reshape Defense Industry

In a recently published circular, the ADII has clarified these rules based on Law No. 10-20 of 2020 and its implementing texts. The new text aims to secure the defense industry and make this strategic sector more competitive, according to the daily L’Économiste.

The circular distinguishes three categories of materials, each subject to an adapted regulatory regime. Category A includes military equipment (tanks, fighter jets, armed drones, radar systems, cyber defense, etc.). For security reasons, the import and export of this equipment is subject to strict control. Category B concerns dual-use civilian and military equipment, including law enforcement equipment (light weapons and anti-riot devices). Category C includes hunting, sports and traditional firearms. In addition, there is a specific list of dual-use equipment.

The new regulations aim to ensure effective management of the import, export, transport and transit flows of weapons and ammunition. In this sense, authorizations must be obtained from the Ministries of National Defense (import-export), the Interior (internal transport) and Customs (transit and transshipment). "This tripartite organization guarantees rigorous supervision while optimizing the circulation of goods, in particular by framing the deadlines. This is three months for transit and up to three years for certain exports, in order to ensure better predictability of commercial operations," it reads.

For the road transit of Category A and B materials, the submission of a complete file is required, including a precise description of the materials, the itineraries, the schedule and the security measures. The authorization issued by the ADII is valid only for a single transaction and can be suspended for reasons of public safety. Transfers via ports and airports are subject to conditions aimed at guaranteeing security, such as the use of neutral and sealed packaging, the deactivation of weapons, the physical separation of ammunition and the strict limitation of on-site stay time.

However, the text provides for special regimes, in particular for military training, film shoots, temporary exhibitions or repairs abroad. This is in order to allow economic actors, in particular approved manufacturers, to optimize their commercial flows via temporary admission or customs processing procedures, while respecting the security requirements.