Casablanca – In a bid to tackle unfair competition and crack down on what it describes as an illicit trend of online shopping, Morocco’s Administration of Customs and Indirect Taxes (ADII) announced on Friday the decision to impose by next month new import tariffs on all products purchased online from abroad.
“Starting July 1, 2022, purchases made via international e-commerce platforms will be excluded from import duty exemptions, regardless of value,” said a statement from the ADII.
Under the new regulations, non-commercial shipments with a value that does not exceed MAD1,250 ($125) will continue to be exempted from taxes. However, purchases intended for e-commerce purposes will be subject to tariffs.
Under previous provisions, e-commerce imports with a value under $125 also used to be exempt from the tax. Morocco’s Government Spokesperson Mustapha Baitas justified the decision as a measure to protect the local economy, pointing out that many buyers have been splitting their purchases to avoid paying the tax.
The ADII further noted that this legislation is not designed to restrict consumers’ rights to purchase through foreign trade platforms, but rather to safeguard both citizens and the local economy.
The decision follows the examination by the ADII of the notable development and turnover some foreign platforms have obtained in Morocco through online purchases, which surpassed MAD 1 billion ($99 million) in 2021.
The ADII discovered that this worrying trend was the result of illicit acts, and it also found that shipments delivered by some international e-commerce platforms comprise large-quantity import operations under the cover of customs facilities given for extraordinary shipments, not of a commercial character and low-value commodities.
Because these practices result in unfair competition for local industry and formal commerce, as well as a certain loss of profits for the state, the Moroccan government decided then to protect the Moroccan consumer through this decision, according to the ADII’s statement.
“In order to remedy this situation, the strengthening of customs control over e-commerce shipments has proved necessary, which is why it was decided to amend the provisions of Article 190-e)-2° of Decree No. 2-77-862 framing exceptional shipments devoid of any commercial character,” it concluded.
This article was updated on October 18.
