UPDATE – LAW 24-09: Moroccan import control system for industrial products

For a few months now, Morocco has been preparing the introduction of the new Law 24-09, regarding the control on the importation for industrial goods.

These measures draw a framework that ensures quality standards in the products that circulate within the country.

The transition period, initially intended to run from 1st February to 19th April 2020, has been extended to 19th June 2020 due to the COVID-19 worldwide health emergency, as reported by the authorities on 17th April 2020.

Thus, the new legislation will come into force on June 20, 2020.

The Ministry of Industry, Trade and Green and Digital Economy, confirmed on 16th December 2019 a series of inspection measures that will be developed on import products, depending on their nature, either in origin or upon arrival to Morocco.

Three organizations have been officially chosen for this purpose, representing the only legal administrations to issue the relevant certifications of conformity: Bureau Veritas, TUV Rheinland and Applus Fomento.

In order to speed up import activities and reduce the waiting process, Morocco has outsourced these inspections for a wide range of products.

 

OUTSOURCING ON THE IMPORT CONTROL OF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS

 

Regarding the Market Surveillance published on the website of the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Green and Digital Economy:

“Products mentioned on List 1 which do not appear on List 2 will be checked at origin before shipping”:

LIST 1: INDUSTRIAL GOODS SUBJECT TO MOROCCAN TECHNICAL REGULATIONS
Annex: PRODUCTS CONTROLLED AT ORIGIN
LIST 2: PRODUCTS CONTROLLED UPON ARRIVAL TO MOROCCO

DIFFERENT CATEGORIES AND RATES

The procedure to achieve a certificate of conformity at origin, will depend not only on the kind of product, but also on its exporter’s reliability.

With this aim in mind, three categories have been established with their respective processes to obtain the validation: CATEGORY A, CATEGORY B and CATEGORY C.

 

 

The inspection and certification rates will also depend on these categories. As reported by the three assigned institutions, the distinctions would be as follows:

 

CATEGORY C

Description: Exporting companies authorized and approved by the accreditation offices, whose products have been previously and frequently imported to Morocco, complying with the defined standards.

These companies are recognized for the confidence in their practices and products, which require only minimal controls. Consequently, inspection costs are lower. This fact aims to encourage importers, opting for products with impeccable quality that will help protect the consumer and the industrial market.

Fee: 0.25% of the FOB value of the merchandise, with a minimum of 280 US Dollars (USD) and a maximum of 2400 USD

 

CATEGORY A

Description: Companies unknown to verifiers who rarely export to Morocco. This is the most expensive fee since the goods require more exhaustive controls, including a verification of items quantity per container, labeling, packaging, non-prohibition of products …

Fee: 0.45% of the FOB value of the merchandise, with a minimum of 315 US Dollars (USD) and a maximum of 2500 USD

 

CATEGORY B

Description: Companies that have exported to Morocco and whose products are known but have not been previously verified.

Fee: 0.40% of the FOB value of the merchandise, with a minimum of 300 US Dollars (USD) and a maximum of 2500 USD

 

 

Prices are standard but do not include the additional checks certain products could be subjected to.

On the other hand, neither they include the costs of reinspection nor audits, industrial technical inspections, cargo supervision or container sealing.

As for the inspections carried out upon arrival to Morocco (also by the three service providers endorsed by the Ministry of Industry), they will have a cost of 350 Moroccan Dirhams (MAD) without VAT per Single Administrative Document (SAD).

Industrial product verification, consists on issuing a valid certificate of conformity for a whole shipment. In short, these measures aim to reduce waiting times in ports, which should result in savings in storage, demurrage and logistics costs.

 

MAROC PORTNET: THE ESSENTIAL PLATFORM

PORTNET will remain a mandatory step for all import procedures, including the introduction of the certificate of conformity number, which will replace the paper support. An important formality to avoid exposing yourself to a tedious and expensive customs clearance procedure.

While the exporting party may choose the inspection office to be eligible for, importers will not have this option. When inspections are to be made upon arrival, PORTNET platform will decide one of the three previously named agencies (Bureau Veritas, TUV Rheinland, Applus Fomento) will carry out the procedure.


FOR FURTHER DETAILS, PLEASE CHECK:
MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY. TRADE AND GREEN & DIGITAL ECONOMY  (Morocco)

Market surveillance

Externalisation du contrôle des produits industriels à l’importation: Prolongation de la période transitoire

OFFICIAL CERTIFICATION ORGANISMS:

BUREAU VERITAS: WEB
Worldwide contact list
Datasheet
Flyer importer
Flyer exporter

APPLUS-FOMENTO: WEB
Guidelines for exporters
Worldwide contact list
Request for certification

TUV RHEINLAND: WEB
Worldwide contact list