فاس نيوز ميديا جريدة الكترونية جهوية تعنى بشؤون و أخبار جهة فاس مكناس – متجددة على مدار الساعة
Morocco’s customs system is moving toward a new phase marked by stricter controls and modernized procedures, following measures adopted by the Customs and Indirect Taxes Administration under the provisions of the 2026 Finance Law. These measures aim to curb fraud and smuggling—particularly within industrial acceleration zones—while expanding the use of modern technological tools.
A recent circular issued by the Administration states that these measures fall within a revision of several articles of the Customs and Indirect Taxes Code, with official implementation scheduled to begin on January 1, 2026.
Among the key developments is the expansion of the legal framework governing the work of customs officers, allowing them to rely on advanced technical means in monitoring and tracking operations. This includes the use of drones, imaging and surveillance systems, scanners, and other tools designed to enhance field detection accuracy and improve the effectiveness of interventions.
The Administration considers this approach likely to strengthen its capacity to combat smuggling networks, while aligning customs operations with internationally recognized standards for border control and supply chains.
As part of efforts to simplify clearance procedures, the new amendments also provide for the creation of an optional digital platform for importers. The platform will rely on modern technologies to ensure data security and the secure exchange of commercial documents.
This platform will enable direct linkage between foreign suppliers and the customs information system, allowing for verification of document authenticity—particularly commercial invoices—and reducing processing times for customs declarations. The circular emphasized that use of this mechanism will remain optional, with implementation details to be defined later through regulatory notes.
Regarding industrial acceleration zones, monitoring operations have revealed irregularities related to the presence of undeclared goods or goods inconsistent with the authorized activities of certain units.
To address these practices, the concept of smuggling has been explicitly expanded to include such cases, classifying them as second-degree customs offenses. This step aims to protect fair competition and curb irregular activities within these industrial spaces.
The legal review also tightened measures related to the declaration of storage or processing locations for imported goods. Under the new amendments, providing inaccurate addresses is now considered a third-degree customs offense, punishable by fines ranging from 30,000 to 60,000 dirhams.
The Administration views this measure as part of efforts to enhance transparency and facilitate subsequent tracking and monitoring of goods.
Overall, this package of measures reflects an official orientation toward modernizing customs operations by combining legal rigor with digitalization—ensuring more accurate tracking of imports, strengthening the fight against fraud and smuggling, and improving the climate of trust for economic operators.
Source: Fes News Media
