Morocco customs rules & duty-free allowances

Last reviewed October 1, 2026·Official source

Morocco's biggest customs quirk is its one-way currency rule: you can walk in with unlimited foreign cash, but you can only walk out with a small amount of Moroccan dirhams. Customs at Casablanca and Marrakech actively check, and undeclared cash can be seized. The duty-free allowances are per adult, and children get no alcohol or tobacco quota.

Duty-free allowances

Alcohol

1.0 L

1 litre of spirits over 22% ABV, or 2 litres of wine or beer (combined total not exceeding 2 litres). Must be 18 or older. Anything above this is subject to duty and VAT at the airport.

Tobacco

200 cigarettes

or 50 cigars / 250 g

Cash to declare

$10,000

You must declare if you are carrying foreign currency or travellers cheques worth 100,000 MAD or more (about USD 10,000). There is no limit on bringing foreign cash in, but you must declare it on arrival if you want to take it back out. The form is available at customs or online via the ADII website. Moroccan dirhams are limited to 2,000 MAD for export.

Goods duty-free

$2,000

Personal goods up to 20,000 MAD (about USD 2,000) are duty-free if they are for personal use and not for resale. Above that, you pay duty and VAT — typically 20% VAT plus customs duty that varies by item (often 2.5% to 40%). Gifts are included in this allowance.

Prohibited — banned from import

Narcotics and illegal drugs (including cannabis, even though Morocco produces it — possession is illegal and penalties are severe)
Counterfeit goods and pirated media
Weapons, ammunition, and explosives without a permit
Pornographic materials and anything offensive to Islam
Live animals and birds without a veterinary certificate
Certain food products of animal origin from countries with disease outbreaks

Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration

Firearms and ammunition — require a permit from the Moroccan authorities before arrival
Drones — must be declared and may require a permit; recreational use is heavily restricted
Satellite phones — require a licence from the telecommunications authority
Medications containing controlled substances — need prior authorisation from the Ministry of Health
Plants and plant products — require a phytosanitary certificate

Arriving: red vs green channel

At major airports like Casablanca Mohammed V and Marrakech Menara, you walk through customs after baggage claim. There are two channels: green (nothing to declare) and red (goods or cash to declare). You do not need to fill out a customs declaration card unless you have something to declare — if you have nothing, just walk through the green channel. If you are carrying more than 100,000 MAD in foreign currency, go to the red channel and ask for the declaration form.

Tax-free shopping & VAT refunds

Morocco offers a VAT refund for tourists on purchases over 2,000 MAD (about USD 200) from a single store in one day. The scheme is called 'Détaxe' and is operated by Global Blue and other refund operators. You must get a refund form from the retailer, show the goods and form at the customs desk at the airport before check-in, and then claim the refund at the refund counter after security. The refund is 20% VAT minus a service fee, so you get roughly 13-15% back.

Bringing medication

You can bring personal medication for up to three months if you have a prescription or doctor's letter. Controlled substances (narcotics, psychotropics) require prior authorisation from the Moroccan Ministry of Health. Some common medications that are legal elsewhere — such as certain strong painkillers, ADHD stimulants, and some antidepressants — are strictly controlled or banned in Morocco. Always carry medication in its original packaging with the prescription. Codeine is available over the counter in Morocco but is controlled in some countries; check before you travel.

Food, plants & animal products

You cannot bring meat, dairy, fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds, or plants into Morocco without a phytosanitary certificate. Processed and packaged foods (canned goods, biscuits, chocolate) are generally allowed for personal use. Any animal products from countries with disease outbreaks (e.g., bird flu, foot-and-mouth) are banned. If you declare food items, customs may inspect them and confiscate anything that poses a risk.

Rules worth knowing

Currency export limit

You can bring in unlimited foreign currency, but you can only take out 2,000 MAD in Moroccan dirhams. If you bring in more than 100,000 MAD in foreign currency, you must declare it on arrival to be able to take it back out. Keep your exchange receipts — you may need them to prove the source of funds when leaving.

Duty-free allowances are per adult

Each adult (18+) gets their own alcohol and tobacco allowance. Children do not get any alcohol or tobacco allowance. If you are travelling as a family, you cannot pool the allowances — each adult can bring their own limit, but a child cannot carry alcohol or tobacco for you.

Cannabis is illegal despite local production

Morocco is a major producer of cannabis, but possession and use are illegal and penalties are harsh. Do not buy or carry any cannabis products, even in areas where it seems tolerated. Customs and police actively target drug trafficking.

Gifts and personal goods limit

Personal goods up to 20,000 MAD (about USD 2,000) are duty-free. This includes gifts, electronics, clothing, and other items for personal use. If you exceed this, you pay duty and VAT on the excess. Keep receipts for expensive items in case customs asks.

Frequently asked questions

Drones are heavily restricted. You must declare it on arrival and may need a permit from the Moroccan Civil Aviation Authority. Recreational use is generally not allowed without permission. If you arrive with a drone and no permit, it may be confiscated. Check with the Moroccan embassy before you travel.

You can take out up to 2,000 MAD in Moroccan dirhams. For foreign currency, you can take out up to the amount you declared on arrival, minus what you spent. If you didn't declare your foreign currency on arrival, you may not be able to take out more than the equivalent of 2,000 MAD. Always declare if you bring in more than 100,000 MAD (about USD 10,000).

If they are for personal use and you will take them with you when you leave, you do not need to declare them. However, if they are new and in packaging, or if you have multiple items that look like they are for resale, customs may consider them commercial goods and charge duty. The personal goods allowance is 20,000 MAD (about USD 2,000).

You will have to pay customs duty and VAT on the excess amount. The rate varies by item: for example, electronics often have a 2.5% duty plus 20% VAT, while clothing can be higher. You can pay at the customs office at the airport. If you refuse to pay, the goods may be confiscated.

You cannot bring fresh meat, dairy, fruits, vegetables, seeds, or plants without a phytosanitary certificate. Packaged and processed foods for personal use are generally allowed. If you have food items, declare them to customs — they may inspect and confiscate anything that is banned.

Yes. You can bring personal medication for up to three months with a prescription. Controlled substances like narcotics and psychotropics require prior authorisation from the Moroccan Ministry of Health. Some common medications (e.g., ADHD stimulants, strong painkillers) are banned or restricted. Always carry medication in original packaging with a doctor's letter.

Yes, the Détaxe scheme refunds VAT on purchases over 2,000 MAD (about USD 200) from a single store in one day. You need a refund form from the retailer, show the goods and form at the customs desk at the airport before check-in, and then claim the refund at the refund counter after security. You get roughly 13-15% back after fees.

Official source

Administration des Douanes et Impôts Indirects (ADII)