Western Sahara
Morocco Customs Office
Representative: Mr. Zouhair Chorfi, General Director
E-mail: z.chorfi@douane.gov.ma
Address: Av. Annakhil, Hay Riad – Rabat – Maroc
Phone: +212 537 579 001/03
Western Sahara is located in northern Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Mauritania and Morocco. It is a very arid area but is rich in phosphates in the Bou Craa region. Consequently, Western Sahara is the world’s largest supplier of quality phosphate rock, with reserves of around 5700 million tonnes.
The official status of Western Sahara is a “non-self-governing territory”, according to the United Nations. The country’s customs are governed by the Morocco Customs Authorities.
Tariffs
The maximum tariff rate is 35 per cent with an additional import surtax of up to 15 per cent on most goods. Imports are also subject to a Value Added Tax (VAT), varying from zero to 20 per cent. VAT is not always paid on locally produced goods such as corn.
Food products are subject to an average of 80 per cent cumulated duties and taxes, meaning the average consumer cannot afford imported food products.
Documentation
1. Trade License
2. Commercial Invoice: Pro-forma invoices are provided in most cases. No special invoice form is necessary. The commercial or pro-forma invoice should: be on the supplier’s letterhead; fully describe the goods in French; indicate the HS code when available; indicate the value of the goods; indicate the currency for payment; indicate the address of the buyer.
3. Import Commitment: is the authorization provided by the exchange office for transfer of foreign currencies from Western Sahara to foreign suppliers abroad.
4. Customs Declaration: is provided by the customs office and is required for import and export through a port or airport. For shipments by mail, a simple form filled out at the post office replaces the “declaration de douane.”
5. Technical Documentation
6. Bill of Landing/Airbill
Labeling
Labels on most foods must show:
- product name (generic and trade);
- type of product;
- dates of manufacture;
- expiry dates;
- methods of preservation;
- ingredients in descending order of composition;
- weights or quantities;
- manufacturer's name;
- importer's name, address and phone number;
- places where the product can be returned or exchanged.
Sources
