Spain and Morocco have not reached an agreement on the reopening of the commercial customs in Melilla and the creation of a new one in Ceuta, during the meeting held on Tuesday in Madrid. The two countries have planned to meet again "in the coming days" on this subject.
Insomnia for the managers of dozens of companies involved in a large-scale tax fraud. After the detection by customs inspectors of a vast operation of fraud on temporary admission, the National Brigade of the Judicial Police (BNPJ) is conducting investigations to determine the quantities of goods imported and their use.
Nabil Lakhdar, Director General of Customs of Morocco, affirms that it will be possible to establish a customs infrastructure with Ceuta and Melilla. Beforehand, certain necessary modifications will have to be made.
The Director General of Moroccan Customs, Nabil Lakhdar, said that "there will be no commercial customs" in Ceuta, adding that "the border crossings of Ceuta and Melilla are only small corridors for customs controls".
From May 30 to June 3, thirty Moroccan customs officers were trained by the United States on techniques for preventing the smuggling of dangerous chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials .
In order to ensure the success of the Marhaba operation which will start in a few days, the Moroccan customs administration has adopted exceptional measures to facilitate access to its services for Moroccans residing abroad (MREs).
The Moroccan authorities have relaxed the measures concerning the 90% rebate on the clearance of cars imported by retired Moroccans residing abroad (MREs). However, the import of vehicles over five years old is still prohibited, except for vehicles up to ten years old meeting certain conditions.
As part of the Marhaba Operation, the Moroccan Customs Administration has extended the validity of temporary admission (TA) licenses or "Green Cards" until December 31, 2022.
All the parties involved in the success of the Marhaba 2022 operation are mobilizing to play their part. This is the case of the Customs and Indirect Taxes Administration (ADII) which has taken new measures to facilitate the reception of Moroccans residing abroad (MREs).
In 2021, some 200 kg of archaeological bones and 580 kg of fossils, in transit on the territory were seized by the Moroccan customs.
The closure of the borders in Ceuta and Melilla has led to a significant increase in Moroccan customs revenue, driven by the end of the smuggling phenomenon.
At the end of 2021, revenue from additional duties and taxes reached more than 5.39 billion dirhams in 2021, up 21% compared to 2020, according to the Customs and Indirect Taxes Administration (ADII).