Exporting Goods from USA to Morocco
It’s possible for you to have household goods, personal effects, and motor vehicles and machinery shipped from the USA to Morocco. To avoid the hassle of waiting and/or paying unnecessary fines, though, make sure you follow shipment regulations.
Diplomat removals
If you’re a diplomat from another country currently assigned to Morocco, you can enjoy duty-free importation of your household goods and/or vehicles. You must, however, secure a Diplomatic Franchise from the Moroccan Embassy countersigned by the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
An OBL or AWB form is also necessary, along with the papers pertaining to your removals. For used household goods, this is a detailed inventory of all your used items and their declared second-hand values. Brand new household goods should come with invoices and may still be dutiable if they don’t follow diplomatic protocol. Vehicles may be imported duty-free from the USA as long as they meet diplomatic protocols between the two countries.
Used household goods and personal effects
Non-diplomats may also enjoy duty-free importation of their household goods and personal effects provided that:
i. The items are six months old or older. These items may not be sold second-hand in the country.
ii. The documentation has been completed. These documents include: AWB/OBL, the original certificate of residence change, the importer’s work permit, detailed list of copyrighted materials like books and video cassettes, a detailed inventory of the household items including their second-hand value and the shipper’s passport.
Electronic household items which are already older than six months old are no longer dutiable. Containers are inspected, though, so it would be better for electronics to be placed close to the door of the container. The clearance process for these items may take up to three days, provided that all papers are complete. The shipper need not be present during the clearance and inspection.
New furniture and household items
Brand new, imported household items and furniture must be listed, detailed in the transfer document, and accounted for with the original invoice. All of these items will be taxed and liable to duty fees. To claim brand new items (in cases of unaccompanied baggage), the passport of the shipper is necessary.
If the shipment is arriving before the owner, another person may claim the effects for him/her as long as a photocopy of his/her passport (the bio page) is provided, and for as long as the signature in the letter of permit matches the one in the passport photocopy. Duties may be paid by the proxy claimer.
Motor vehicles
Used motor vehicles may be exported from the USA to Morocco provided that it has been owned by the shipper for at least one year prior to the shipment date. The government of Morocco may grant release and use of the vehicle within the country for three months. After that time, it will have to be exported again, or be liable to taxes and duty fees. Clearance for imported vehicles from the USA takes two days if there are no problems. The shipper’s passport and the car registration papers are necessary for the shipment and the release of the car.
All brand new vehicles are liable to taxes and duty fees. Misrepresentation of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, is enough reason for impoundment. Proof of ownership is also necessary for the owner to claim his/her vehicle.
Similar documents are necessary for the importation of boats, construction machinery, and motorcycles. Special permits may be required, depending on the purpose of the importation. The information here is only an overview of the customs regulations in Morocco. For more information, visit their Customs and Excise Administration page or contact a representative from the Embassy of Morocco in the USA.