In brief: Any goods import with payment requires an import title to be filed on PortNet and domiciled with a bank. Payment is in principle made after customs imputation of the title and within the imputed amount, save for exceptions (documentary credit, documentary collection, deposits, advance payment). The IGOC 2026 (Art. 46 to 68) governs these transactions.
Goods importation is one of the most common exchange transactions for Moroccan companies. Exchange control regulations impose a rigorous framework to ensure the traceability of financial flows and the effective repatriation of corresponding goods.
This article details the exchange obligations applicable to importers, from domiciliation of the import title through to payment of the supplier, based on the provisions of Chapter III, Section 1 of the IGOC 2026 (Art. 46 to 68).
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Definition and Scope (Art. 46)
What Constitutes a Goods Import
Under the IGOC 2026, goods importation means any entry of goods into the regulated territory from abroad, from an industrial acceleration zone or from any other area treated as foreign under foreign trade and exchange control regulations. This includes in particular:
- Purchases of raw materials, semi-finished and finished products
- Imports of capital goods
- Purchases of goods intended for resale
- Temporary imports giving rise to a payment
Purchases from companies located in industrial acceleration zones are imports within the meaning of the IGOC 2026 (Art. 46); for payment by documentary credit or documentary collection, the final invoice and the delivery note serve as the shipping document (Art. 52).
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Bank Domiciliation via PortNet (Art. 47-49)
Prior Domiciliation Requirement
The importer must file the import title on PortNet (a title drawn up in accordance with foreign trade regulations) and domicile it with a bank (Art. 47). Before domiciliation, the bank checks that the commercial contract matches the title and that the payment terms comply with exchange control regulations. Upon domiciliation, it opens an import file (Art. 48).
Documents Required for Domiciliation
Upon domiciliation, the bank opens an import file (electronic or paper) which it keeps on behalf of the Exchange Office and which includes in particular (Art. 48):
- The contract, the final invoice, the pro forma invoice or any equivalent document
- Transport documents, for payments by documentary credit or documentary collection (and those of the aeronautics sector referred to in Art. 65)
- A copy of the bank payment voucher (bank form, debit notice, Art. 12)
- The loan agreement in the case of foreign financing
The title receives a registration number assigned by PortNet; this number and the domiciliation date must appear on every bank payment form (Art. 50).
Customs Imputation (Art. 49)
The entry of the goods into the regulated territory is recorded by a customs imputation of the import title on PortNet. In principle, the bank pays the supplier only after this imputation and within the imputed amount (Art. 50).
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Settlement Methods and Conditions (Art. 50-55, 62 and 64-66)
Authorized Settlement Methods
The IGOC 2026 provides for several import settlement methods:
- Bank transfer (free transfer): the most common, carried out by the domiciliary bank on the importer’s instruction
- Documentary credit (letter of credit): irrevocable commitment by the bank to pay the supplier upon submission of compliant documents
- Documentary collection: the bank delivers documents to the drawer against payment or acceptance of a bill of exchange
- Payments under the AMU (Arab Maghreb Union) unified payment agreement (Art. 15); outside this framework, any settlement by way of offsetting (compensation) remains subject to Exchange Office authorization (Art. 1)
The Principle: Payment After Customs Imputation (Art. 50)
Payment is made after customs imputation of the import title and within the imputed amount, plus, where applicable, freight, ancillary costs and insurance. The IGOC 2026 sets no maximum payment deadline; the bank must record each payment on PortNet within 3 working days.
Payment Before Customs Imputation (Art. 52-54, 62 and 64-66)
Advance payment (before receiving the goods) is authorized in limited cases:
- General rule (Art. 54): advance payment of 100% of the invoice up to 200,000 MAD (equivalent value), of 100% of the invoiced amount by debit of exporters’ foreign currency or convertible dirham accounts where the contract so provides, and for second-hand equipment bought at auction
- Operators categorized by the Exchange Office (Art. 17 and 62): advance payment of 100% of the invoiced amount
- Aeronautics and space industries registered with the Exchange Office: advance payment up to 1,000,000 MAD (Art. 66), deposits of up to 50% (Art. 64) and payment before imputation on final invoices and transport documents, even without a documentary credit (Art. 65)
- Deposits (Art. 53): up to 30% of the total import value, where provided for in the commercial contract; if the deposit paid exceeds this rate by no more than 5% of the final invoice, the bank may pay the balance, beyond that Exchange Office authorization is required. Exporters holding foreign currency or convertible dirham accounts may pay the contractual deposit by debit of these accounts. No deposit is possible if the balance is payable before the goods enter the territory, except by documentary credit or documentary collection
Outside the cases provided for by the IGOC 2026 (documentary credit or documentary collection, deposits, advance payment under Art. 54, 62 and 66, aeronautics regime under Art. 64-65), any payment before customs imputation requires Exchange Office authorization.
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Transport Costs, Ancillary Costs and Insurance (Art. 56-60)
Import-related costs follow these rules:
- Transport (Art. 56-57): freight is either included in the import value or paid in dirhams to the foreign carrier’s representative or to the freight forwarder; it may be paid in foreign currency by way of exception (freight prepaid at departure under EXW, FCA, FAS or FOB, on invoice and transport document; freight for imports with no commercial value). Freight overruns may be paid up to 20% of the amount provided for in the contract
- Insurance taken out abroad (Art. 60): banks domicile and pay import titles including insurance taken out abroad, under the conditions set by ACAPS
- Ancillary costs (Art. 58): payable where borne by the importer, on supporting documents (invoices, debit notes), including for imports made without payment; general average contributions on bills of lading and the average adjuster’s report (Art. 59)
- Inspection and control fees: costs related to pre-shipment inspections
These costs must be supported by invoices or debit notes and are imputed to the corresponding import file.
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Monitoring the Import File
No Clearance Deadline in the IGOC 2026
The IGOC 2026 sets no file clearance deadline. The bank keeps the import file (Art. 48) and records each payment on PortNet within 3 working days (Art. 50). Where a deposit or advance payment has been made and the title is not imputed when due, the importer must repatriate the foreign currency without delay and provide evidence to the bank (Art. 68).
File Documents and Payment Discrepancies (Art. 48 and 51)
The bank keeps the documents listed in Art. 48 in the import file. Payments exceeding the imputed amount are only possible in the cases set out in Art. 51: loss or damage before unloading (average statement, survey report, transport document, final invoice), shrinkage on unloading (up to 1% for cereals), polarization or content variation (sugar, oil, ores).
Importer’s Liability (Art. 68)
Where payment is made before customs imputation, the importer must: not split a single import to benefit from advance payment; ensure the title is imputed on PortNet upon customs clearance; repatriate without delay the foreign currency transferred if the import does not take place or the title is not imputed when due; provide evidence of repatriation of the VAT paid on used capital goods. The importer must also not hold containers beyond the shipping lines’ free-time periods.
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Derogatory Provisions
Certain imports benefit from derogatory regimes:
- Operators categorized by the Exchange Office: advance payment of 100% (Art. 62)
- Aeronautics and space industries registered with the Exchange Office: single monthly commitment, 50% deposits, advance payment up to 1,000,000 MAD (Art. 63-67)
- Individuals not registered in the trade register: imports exempt from the import commitment up to 20,000 MAD per person per year (Art. 55)
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Reference texts: Instruction Générale des Opérations de Change (IGOC) 2026 (PDF)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is bank domiciliation mandatory for all imports?
In principle, yes: any goods import with payment requires an import title filed on PortNet and domiciled with a bank (Art. 47). Exception: resident individuals not registered in the trade register may pay for their imports without an import commitment up to 20,000 MAD per year, on presentation of their national ID card, the final invoice and a copy of the DUM or courier receipt (Art. 55).
What must the importer do if goods paid in advance do not arrive?
The IGOC 2026 provides for no clearance deadline. However, if a deposit or advance payment has been made and the import title is not imputed when due, the importer must repatriate the transferred foreign currency without delay and provide evidence of this repatriation to the domiciliary bank (Art. 68 IGOC 2026).
Can an importer pay a supplier before receiving the goods?
Yes, in the cases provided for by the IGOC 2026: documentary credit or documentary collection (Art. 52), a deposit of up to 30% provided for in the contract (Art. 53), advance payment of 100% up to 200,000 MAD or by debit of exporters’ foreign currency accounts (Art. 54), 100% for operators categorized by the Exchange Office (Art. 62), aeronautics regime (Art. 64-66). Beyond this, Exchange Office authorization is required.
What ancillary costs can be transferred in foreign currency?
Freight is either included in the import value or paid in dirhams to the carrier’s representative, and may be paid in foreign currency by way of exception (EXW, FCA, FAS, FOB; overruns up to 20%). Ancillary costs borne by the importer are payable on invoices or debit notes; insurance taken out abroad is payable under the conditions set by ACAPS (Art. 56-60 IGOC 2026).
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