Moroccan customs authorities are investigating allegations of invoice manipulation involving Turkish imports, including ready-made clothing and household appliances, at the Tangier-Med and Casablanca ports. The inquiry targets Moroccan importers accused of colluding with Turkish exporters to undervalue invoices, evading high customs tariffs and reducing duty payments.
According to sources, the Directorate of Customs and Indirect Taxes detected an uptick in customs fraud related to Turkish imports. This trend has been exacerbated by rising prices for Turkish-made goods in local markets following amendments to the Morocco-Turkey free trade agreement. The revised agreement, effective since April 2022, imposes a 90% customs duty on certain industrial products from Turkey.
Investigators uncovered falsified invoices with the help of international customs data, showing discrepancies between declared prices for Moroccan imports and export prices to other countries. The findings have raised concerns over financial transfers conducted outside authorized currency exchange practices.
The investigation extends to Moroccan-owned importing companies to verify compliance with legal and tax regulations. Authorities have referred the case to the Exchange Office and are examining customs records to quantify the extent of financial losses to the state.
Morocco signed its free trade agreement with Turkey in 2004, but the deal has since resulted in a significant trade deficit, prompting amendments to safeguard local industries. Customs officials plan to conclude their investigation by notifying implicated importers, recalculating duties based on corrected invoices, and imposing fines for non-compliance.
The revised customs duties are part of broader measures to address trade imbalances and ensure adherence to regulations, officials said.
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