Calculator: Car customs
Enter the price, shipping and origin to get a first estimate. The result replaces neither the MCV service nor the customs decision.
Duty rates for this category
| Item | How it is calculated | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Customs value CIF | Purchase price + shipping + insurance | The base of every calculation |
| Import duty DI | CIF × 17.5% | Can drop to 0% with EUR.1 |
| Parafiscal PFI | CIF × 0.25% | Almost always applied |
| VAT | (CIF + DI + PFI) × 20% | On the enlarged base |
How is the customs duty calculated?
For a car imported into Morocco, the standard calculation applies a 17.5% DI on the customs value, then 0.25% parafiscal, then 20% VAT on the whole. Three rules dominate everything: the car must be under 5 years old at clearance time, customs may retain a reference value higher than the price paid, and the MCV service (counter-verification average) remains the official reference to budget for. With a valid EUR.1 origin certificate, the DI can fall to zero — VAT always remains due.
Worked examples with real numbers
Car bought in France for €10,000 (with EUR.1)
CIF ≈ 109,500 MAD. With EUR.1: DI = 0, PFI ≈ 274 MAD, VAT ≈ 21,955 MAD. Total fees ≈ 22,230 MAD, roughly 11% of the value — check the exact figure on the MCV portal.
Same car without an origin certificate
DI = 109,500 × 17.5% ≈ 19,163 MAD, PFI ≈ 274 MAD, VAT = 128,937 × 20% ≈ 25,787 MAD. Total ≈ 45,220 MAD — the EUR.1 saves you about 23,000 MAD!
Expert tips to pay less — legally
- Check the under-5-years rule before any purchase — an older car cannot be cleared under the normal regime.
- Always query the official MCV service with the exact make, model, month and year: that is the reference value customs may use.
- Ask the European seller for the EUR.1 certificate before shipping — it can cancel 17.5% of duty.
- Keep the invoice, proof of payment and shipping documents: customs checks the consistency of the declared price.
- Budget the full journey: transport to the port, broker fees, registration and the technical inspection.
Documents & authorisations to watch
Typically requested documents: foreign registration card, purchase invoice, EUR.1 certificate, owner's ID, shipping documents. Vehicle clearance is usually handled by a licensed customs broker.
Aljamarik.net content is informative and indicative only; it replaces neither a customs decision nor the advice of a licensed customs broker.
Frequently asked questions: Car customs
How much does it cost to clear a car through Moroccan customs?
General estimate: DI 17.5% + PFI 0.25% + VAT 20% on the customs value. For a vehicle with a CIF of 100,000 MAD, expect around 41,500 MAD without EUR.1, or about 24,000 MAD with. Customs may use a higher reference value — verify with the MCV.
What is the Moroccan customs MCV service?
The MCV (Moyenne de Contre-Vérification) is an official tool on douane.gov.ma that gives the reference value of a vehicle by make, model, year and engine. It often serves as the tax base rather than the price actually paid.
My car is over 5 years old — can I import it?
The general regime for private cars requires under 5 years (from the month of first registration). Beyond that, definitive import is in practice blocked for individuals. Temporary admission remains an alternative for MREs.
Is VAT always due on imported cars?
Yes — VAT at 20% applies on the enlarged base (CIF + DI + PFI) even when the DI is waived by an EUR.1 or another preferential regime.
Can I drive my foreign-registered car in Morocco without clearing it?
Yes, through temporary admission (AT): up to 180 days per calendar year, duty-free, provided you are a non-resident (MRE or tourist) and the vehicle stays registered abroad.