Morocco and China strengthen customs partnership with three new cooperation agreements

Saturday 27 June 2026 - 15:30

By: Sahili Aya

Morocco and China strengthen customs partnership with three new cooperation agreements

Morocco and China have taken a significant step toward expanding their strategic partnership by signing three cooperation agreements designed to strengthen customs collaboration, facilitate international trade and enhance supply chain security.

The agreements were signed in Brussels during the annual session of the World Customs Organization, reflecting both countries' commitment to modernizing customs operations and improving bilateral trade relations in an increasingly complex global trading environment.

Stronger framework to combat customs fraud

One of the newly signed agreements establishes a legal framework for mutual administrative assistance between the customs authorities of Morocco and China. The memorandum is intended to improve information sharing and operational cooperation in preventing, detecting and investigating customs-related offenses.

The initiative is expected to reinforce efforts against customs fraud, including under-invoicing, false declarations and other forms of illicit trade. Enhanced cooperation will also support more effective risk management while safeguarding public revenues and facilitating legitimate commercial exchanges.

Mutual recognition to accelerate trade

A second agreement provides for the mutual recognition of each country's Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program. The arrangement is designed to simplify customs procedures for certified businesses by allowing faster clearance processes and improved predictability throughout international supply chains.

For Moroccan exporters, the agreement is expected to facilitate access to the Chinese market while strengthening Morocco's position as a regional logistics, trade and investment hub linking Africa, Europe and Asia.

The mutual recognition framework also encourages trusted businesses to benefit from lower administrative burdens and more efficient border procedures.

Port cooperation supports digital transformation

The third agreement focuses on direct cooperation between the customs authorities operating at the Port of Casablanca and the Port of Ningbo, one of China's largest maritime gateways.

The partnership will promote collaboration in areas such as customs modernization, risk analysis, trade facilitation, data analytics and professional training. It also aims to streamline administrative assistance requests between both ports, contributing to faster and more efficient cargo processing.

Digital transformation and the adoption of advanced customs technologies are expected to play a central role in the implementation of this cooperation.

Building on a broader strategic relationship

The latest agreements build upon commitments made during the seventh Morocco-China Joint Commission on Economic, Commercial and Technical Cooperation, held in Beijing in December 2025. During that meeting, both governments reaffirmed their intention to expand bilateral cooperation across several strategic sectors, including customs administration.

As international trade becomes increasingly interconnected, closer customs cooperation is viewed as an essential tool for improving border security, facilitating investment and supporting resilient global supply chains.

The new agreements underscore the growing economic partnership between Morocco and China while reinforcing both countries' commitment to efficient, secure and technology-driven customs management.