Alcohol regulations in Morocco

Licences needed

ONSSA sanitary approval/authorization, prefecture commercial operating license, and ADII bonded production/distillery authorization

Authority

Office National de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits Alimentaires (ONSSA), Ministry of Interior (local Wilaya/Prefecture), and ADII

Documents

Technical production dossier, facility blueprints, HACCP and sanitary compliance manual, commercial registry certificate (Modèle J), equipment specifications, and police background clearance

Fees

not confirmed

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Who can import

Commercially registered businesses registered with the Trade Registry (Registre du Commerce), holding an active Tax Identification Number (IF/ICE), customs registration with ADII, and ONSSA sanitary importer authorization

Licences or registrations

Registration on the national single-window foreign trade platform (PORTNET), ONSSA importer establishment approval, and Customs clearance registration

Authority

Administration des Douanes et Impôts Indirects (ADII) and ONSSA

Documents

Commercial invoice, bill of lading, Certificate of Origin, Certificate of Analysis, sanitary/phytosanitary certificate from origin country, and customs declaration (DUM)

Fees

Administrative import processing fees and inspection fees; specific fixed licence fee not confirmed

Time to obtain

not confirmed

Required

yes

Process

Mandatory prior border health and conformity inspection coordinated through ONSSA and Customs via PortNet; documentation review, physical inspection, and conformity sampling/testing prior to customs clearance and market release

Authority

Office National de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits Alimentaires (ONSSA)

Documents and samples

Certificate of Analysis (chemical and microbiological parameters, alcoholic strength, methanol levels), Certificate of Origin/age verification where applicable, commercial specimen label, and representative bottle samples taken at port of entry

Fees

Official laboratory analytical testing and sanitary border inspection fees per consignment

Renewal

Per consignment / continuous import compliance

Time to obtain

5 to 15 business days depending on laboratory testing turnaround

Customs clearance must be conducted through an authorized customs broker via the PortNet platform. Under Ministry of Finance Decision No. 723-96, all distilled spirits bottles exceeding 25 cl (250 ml)—except whisky, beer, and wine—must have an official fiscal Control Stamp (Vignette de contrôle) affixed over the cap prior to distribution. Each shipment requires a verified Certificate of Origin and Certificate of Analysis.

40% ad valorem CIF on HS 2208 (spirits and ethyl alcohol), plus 0.25% Parafiscal Import Tax (TPI); preferential tariff quotas or rates apply under bilateral free trade agreements (e.g., US-Morocco FTA, EU-Morocco Association Agreement).

Internal Consumption Tax (TIC - Taxe Intérieure de Consommation): 25,500 MAD per hectolitre of pure alcohol (Finance Law 2024) for ethyl alcohol contained in spirits, liqueurs, and aperitifs. Value Added Tax (VAT / TVA): standard 20%, calculated on CIF + customs duty + TPI + TIC. Parafiscal Import Tax (TPI): 0.25% ad valorem CIF.

Allowed only through specialized licensed shops, designated closed sections of supermarkets, and on-premise licensed establishments (hotels, tourist restaurants, and bars) holding prefecture beverage permits. Dahir n° 3-177-66 of July 17, 1967 strictly prohibits the sale or free supply of alcoholic beverages to Moroccan Muslims. Off-premise retail hours are restricted by local authorities (typically closing around 8:00 PM), and sales are curtailed during Islamic holidays and Ramadan.

restricted

Mandatory indications in Arabic or French: product name/category, alcoholic strength by volume (% vol), net volume in metric units, country of origin, full name and address of manufacturer and Moroccan importer/distributor, lot/batch number, and storage conditions. Prohibited descriptors: terms such as 'type', 'style', 'taste', 'brand', or 'fantasy' that imitate protected geographical indications. Official fiscal control stamps must be affixed over bottle caps for required spirits categories.

Strictly banned. Moroccan law prohibits direct and indirect advertising and marketing of alcoholic beverages across domestic television, radio, print, cinema, billboards, and public spaces, as well as brand sponsorship of sporting and cultural events.

Enforced minimum ABV standards: Whisky 40%, Pastis 40%, Mahia 40%, Gin 37.5%, Vodka 37.5%, Rum 37.5%, Wine Brandy / Fruit Brandy / Raisin Brandy 37.5%, Brandy 36%, Grain Spirits 35%, Fruit Spirits 25%, Aniseed Spirits 15%, Mixed Spirit Drinks 5%.

Drinking alcohol in public spaces (streets, parks, beaches) is strictly banned nationwide. Religious holy towns such as Moulay Idriss Zerhoun prohibit alcohol sales. Retail sales and licensed establishments are banned within statutory exclusion zones surrounding mosques, educational facilities, cemeteries, military barracks, and medical institutions.

• The 2024 Finance Act increased the Internal Consumption Tax (TIC) on spirits and ethyl alcohol from 18,000 MAD to 25,500 MAD per hectolitre of pure alcohol.
• Customs import duty structures solidified at 40% standard ad valorem rate for finished consumer goods including spirits not covered by specific trade agreement schedules.
• Strengthened electronic border clearance through the single-window PortNet system for ONSSA food safety conformity certificates on imported alcoholic beverages.

Morocco offers a stable niche market for high-end international spirits (notably Scotch whisky, premium vodka, gin, and Cognac) catering to foreign tourists, high-end hospitality venues, and urban expatriates. Success requires partnering with licensed Moroccan importers capable of navigating ONSSA sanitary compliance, fiscal strip stamps, and high retail excise taxes.

• Office National de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits Alimentaires (ONSSA)
• Administration des Douanes et Impôts Indirects (ADII)
• Ministère de l'Économie et des Finances
• Ministère de l'Intérieur

1. USDA FAS Morocco Food and Agricultural Import Regulations and Standards (FAIRS)
2. Ministère de l'Économie et des Finances - Loi de Finances 2024
3. Administration des Douanes et Impôts Indirects (ADII) - Tarif Douanier Marocain
4. ONSSA - Réglementation Sanitaire des Boissons Alcoolisées
5. Dahir n° 3-177-66 du 17 juillet 1967 réglementant le commerce des boissons alcooliques