MOROCCO

Bilateral relations Switzerland–Morocco

Diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Morocco are good and varied.  Morocco is a popular destination for Swiss tourists. In 2016 the two countries celebrate 60 years of diplomatic relations.

Economic cooperation

Morocco is a medium-sized trading partner for Switzerland. Switzerland exports mainly pharmaceutical products, machinery and watch and clock products to Morocco and primarily imports precious stones, metals and jewellery, and textiles and clothing.

Switzerland has been active in Morocco for over 60 years. The Swiss chamber of commerce in Casablanca is more than 25 years old. At least 7,580 people were employed in Swiss companies in Morocco at the end of 2014.

Business language

Arabic, French and Spanish depending on the area.

Dimensions and weights

Metric system and Arabic measuring units.

Currency

National currency Dirham (DH) = 100 Centimes.
ISO code: MAD

Customs tariff

Harmonised system. Customs clearance based on the transaction value.

Import control

Hardly any imports are subject to restrictions.
Import authorisations are required for goods such as weapons, munitions, books, CDs, alcohol, lorries, clothing and tyres. Import licences for medications are only granted if the item is not produced domestically and only to pharmaceutical companies already producing in Morocco.
For certain goods, 40% of the import must be transported using Moroccan ships and under a Moroccan flag. Imports by government or state-controlled agencies may only be transported by Moroccan ships or those chartered from Morocco.
Standard VAT rate: 20%.
The commercial banks process import transactions largely independently. The reporting obligation lies with the importers. The use of foreign currencies owned by the banks is made available to them within the stand of standard, ongoing foreign trade transactions.

Terms of payment and tenders

Letter of credit basis recommended, documents against payment conditional on the importers being solvent. Purchase contracts on an FOB basis with freight and insurance costs indicated separately are preferred in Morocco. EUR invoicing.

Designations of origin

“Importé de Suisse” is required on goods, the presentation of which could give the impression that the goods have misleading origin. Comply with the special rules for food and wine.

Marking/labelling

Standard marking. In the case of transit goods via Ceuta or Melilla, the addition of “Ceuta en Transito para Marruecos” is important. There are special labelling regulations for foods, animal feed and drinks.

Packaging

No special marking regulations for packaging, seaworthy packaging.

Product samples

Duty free if they have no retail value and the following note: “Echantillon sans Valeur Commerciale”. ATA Carnet applicable for professional equipment, trade fair goods and commercial samples.
For samples subject to duty brought by travelling salesmen ask for deepened details.

Shipping and accompanying documents

Standard and:

a) Commercial invoices, (2 copies) with all standard information including gross and net weight, FOB value, delivery terms, precise description of the goods etc., three copies in French, certification required.

Declaration to be signed by the exporter must appear at the end of the invoice: “Nous certifions que les marchandises dénommées dans cette facture sont de fabrication et d’origine de …”. Invoice copies must be signed as follows: “Nous certifions que cette facture est conforme à l’original”.

b) Certificates of origin only available on request, always required for wine. As the origin, indicate “Swiss” in the case of Swiss goods, or “European Union” for goods originating from UE.

c) Postal packages and airmail packages with “airmail” stickers, up to 20 kg in each case: 1 foreign dispatch note, 1 customs declaration in English/French, 2 commercial invoices in French as for a)

d) Uncertified bills of lading, order bills of lading permissible if a notify address is given.

e) As evidence of the preferential origin: movement certificate EUR. 1 in the case of products which come under the origin regulations for the EU with Morocco. EUR. 1 for goods shipments up to a value of EUR 6.000. The following declaration must be made: “The exporter of the goods to which this commercial document refers states that unless otherwise indicated these goods are … preferential goods”. “Je soussigné, exportateur des marchandises couvertes par le présent document, déclare que, sauf indication contraire, ces marchandises répondent condition fixées pour obtenir le charactère originaire dans les èchanges préférentiels avec la maroc et sont originaires de …”.

The movement certificate EUR.1 is required for all shipments of a value of more than EUR 6.000. “Authorised exporters” can use the above mentioned declaration of origin on commercial documents including for shipments over a value of EUR 6.000 after they have been approved by the competent central customs office. The exporter fills in the form, the customs office issues it.

f) EUR-MED

g) Packing list: if the commercial invoices do not give a precise overview of the goods contained within the individual packages, a packing list should be included in the package. The content of the packages is to be listed on the packing list clearly in French with a description of the goods, trademarks and numbers.