Duty free shops: Sales limited to 2,000 Dirhams in foreign currency
Changes for Duty Free Shops. Customs and the Foreign Exchange Office have just published a new circular on the management and operation of duty-free stores, covering formalities for the admission and removal of goods from warehouses, the keeping of records, and the strengthening of customs and foreign exchange controls. In addition, the sale and financial settlement of goods are now covered.
Sales of Moroccan products (handicrafts, pastries, etc.) can be settled in dirhams. Passengers travelling to or from abroad can pay for their purchases up to a limit of 500 dirhams (USD 50) per person, compared with 250 dirhams (USD 25) previously. Similarly, sales of goods to travelers from abroad are authorized up to the foreign currency equivalent of 2,000 Dirhams (USD 200). In principle, payment for goods sold in Duty Free shops, whatever their origin, is made by foreign banknote in one of the currencies quoted by the Moroccan central bank, Bank Al-Maghrib, or by international payment card.
The new Customs and Foreign Exchange circular specifies, among other things, the location of these warehouses: in the departure or arrival areas of maritime or airport precincts. The premises must meet the layout and installation standards of customs companies, and the operator must not make any changes without the prior agreement of the customs administration.
The entry of goods into the warehouse is subject to certain formalities. In the case of goods of Moroccan origin, an itemized warehouse entry declaration is required for goods subject to TIC (Domestic consumption tax). On the other hand, no formalities are required for goods in free circulation. And all this under cover of invoices and/or delivery notes.
What about imported products?
The circular also deals with imported goods of foreign origin. These are admitted under suspension of duties and taxes, and verified in accordance with the applicable rules. «These goods must be imported under the guise of a declaration of entry into a warehouse, supported by an import undertaking when the operation is carried out with payment», states the circular note. In any case, this commitment will enable the entrepreneur to pay his foreign supplier through an approved intermediary.
Khadija MASMOUDI
