Morocco’s Customs and Indirect Taxes Administration (ADII) has officially launched its operational framework for Operation Marhaba 2026, introducing targeted measures to streamline border crossings and investment procedures for Moroccans living abroad. The directives, effective for the summer season, include increased duty-free allowances and simplified vehicle entry requirements for the diaspora.
Enhanced Duty-Free Thresholds for Returning Residents
To better align with the current economic climate and rising costs of goods, the ADII has raised the customs franchise ceiling for Moroccans residing abroad (MRE) who are returning to the Kingdom permanently. According to Le Brief, the limit for importing personal effects and non-commercial items has been increased to 40,000 dirhams, up from the previous 30,000 dirhams.
This adjustment is specifically designed to support families undergoing the process of relocation or re-installation in Morocco. As reported by Medias24, this exemption applies to personal property in addition to standard household moving effects. The administration noted that the revision accounts for the impact of inflation on the value of household goods.
The director of the ADII, Nabyl Lakhdar, emphasized in a June 5 briefing that the increase was finalized following extensive consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry in charge of Moroccans Living Abroad. The technical circular, numbered 6542/311, formally mandates that customs officers at the Tangier-Med, Nador, and Al Hoceima ports apply these thresholds immediately to qualifying individuals who present proof of permanent residency termination in their host country. Documentation required for this exemption includes a certificate of deregistration from their respective foreign municipal authorities and a detailed inventory of items certified by a local consulate.
Simplified Vehicle Admission Procedures
The agency is also modifying the rules governing the temporary admission of vehicles imported under a provisional registration certificate, known as a CPI. Previously, the administrative burden often required the certificate to be issued strictly in the name of the individual subscribing to the operation.
Under the new Le360 report, travelers may now complete these formalities using a power of attorney issued by the primary holder of the registration certificate. This shift is intended to eliminate bottlenecks at border crossings, building on a series of procedural adjustments that have been rolling out since 2024 to enhance the speed and readability of customs interactions during the high-traffic summer months.
The ADII’s digital portal, “BADR” (Base Automatisée des Douanes en Réseau), has been updated to reflect these changes. According to a June 8 technical bulletin from the ADII, the power of attorney document must be legalized by a Moroccan consulate if the vehicle owner is unable to travel with the vehicle. Officials at the Tangier-Med port authority, the primary entry point for Marhaba, stated that this digitization is expected to reduce document verification time by approximately 40% per vehicle. This measure was prompted by feedback from the 2025 season, during which the Ministry of Transport reported that 18% of vehicle entry delays were attributed to discrepancies between the CPI holder and the driver present at the border.
Dedicated Support for Diaspora Investment
Recognizing the growing contribution of the diaspora to national investment, the ADII has established a dedicated unit to provide consulting and administrative assistance to MREs who are planning projects within Morocco. This structure serves as a direct point of contact for navigating customs-related requirements for business start-ups and development.
Investors seeking guidance can reach this advisory unit via a specific email channel established for the 2026 operation: [email protected]. The agency has also published a comprehensive guide, titled “Marocains du Monde 2026,” which is currently available on the official customs portal to provide a clear roadmap for both short-term visitors and long-term project developers.
The launch of this advisory unit follows a direct request from the Ministry of Investment, Convergence, and Evaluation of Public Policies. According to an official statement from the Investment Center (CRI), the unit is specifically tasked with accelerating the clearance of industrial machinery and specialized equipment imported by MREs under the Investment Charter. As of June 10, the ADII has deployed a team of ten specialized customs advisors to the Casablanca and Tangier regional offices to handle inquiries received via the MDMconseil channel. The agency confirmed that response times for investment-related queries are now tracked within a 48-hour service level agreement.
Expanded Maritime Infrastructure and Capacity
Beyond customs, the logistics of the 2026 summer transit have seen a significant expansion. Africa Morocco Link (AML) has announced a major reinforcement of its fleet and route network. According to Yabiladi, the company is launching a new maritime link between Nador and Almería, a route that has lacked a Moroccan operator for nearly a decade.
The company projects a total capacity of 500,000 passengers and 120,000 vehicles on the Nador-Almería line alone for the summer season. The deployment of the Stena Europe, the largest vessel in the AML fleet, aims to accommodate this demand with a capacity of approximately 1,500 passengers and 400 vehicles per crossing. The operational schedule for this route has been specifically designed to favor nighttime departures from Almería and Nador, allowing travelers to coordinate their long-distance road journeys with greater flexibility and comfort.
The Ministry of Equipment and Water, which oversees the National Ports Agency (ANP), confirmed on June 12 that the Nador West Med port facilities have undergone final safety inspections to support this increased volume. The Moroccan Maritime Authority stated that the Stena Europe passed its international safety certification on May 28, following a refit in the port of Algeciras. While the Nador-Almería route is now fully booked for the opening weekend of July 5, AML officials noted that they are monitoring demand to determine if additional chartered vessels will be required by mid-August. Furthermore, the Mohammed V Foundation for Solidarity, which manages the physical reception points at ports, has increased its medical and social staff by 15% across all transit sites to match the projected surge in passenger volume compared to the 2025 season.