Morocco and Russia strengthen customs cooperation with new action plan

Friday 18 - 18:15

Morocco and Russia have opened a new chapter in their customs cooperation with the first meeting of a bilateral working group dedicated to strengthening coordination between the two administrations.

The session was held Tuesday at the headquarters of Morocco's Administration of Customs and Indirect Taxes (ADII) in Rabat, bringing officials from both sides together to review existing commitments and define the next steps for closer operational cooperation.

The meeting follows commitments adopted in Moscow on October 17, 2025, during the eighth session of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission for Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation.

Focus on information exchange and customs valuation

A significant part of the discussions focused on implementing two protocols signed in Moscow in October 2025.

The first concerns the exchange of documents and information relating to customs valuation, while the second establishes a framework for cooperation, information sharing and mutual assistance concerning certificates of origin.

The working group examined progress on these instruments and identified measures needed to move from formal agreements toward their full implementation.

Such mechanisms are intended to facilitate the exchange of customs information while supporting greater coordination between the two administrations.

New roadmap for Authorized Economic Operators

The meeting also produced a concrete development in the area of trade facilitation.

Moroccan and Russian customs authorities signed an action plan covering negotiations on mutual recognition between Morocco's Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) program and its Russian counterpart.

The roadmap is designed to structure discussions toward the conclusion of a mutual recognition agreement by the end of 2027.

Such an agreement could establish a common framework for recognizing trusted economic operators in both countries and potentially facilitate customs procedures for eligible businesses engaged in bilateral trade.

Digital customs and artificial intelligence on the agenda

Beyond traditional customs cooperation, the two administrations exchanged expertise on several areas linked to the modernization of border management.

Discussions covered digital customs systems, artificial intelligence, risk management and professional training.

The exchange reflects the growing importance of technology in customs operations, particularly for processing information, identifying potential risks and improving the efficiency of controls.

Training was also identified as an area where experience and technical knowledge can be shared between the two administrations.

Joint efforts against illicit trafficking

Security and enforcement formed another important part of the meeting.

Officials discussed ways to strengthen operational cooperation against the illicit trafficking of narcotics, protected species, jewelry and precious stones.

The focus on these areas underlines the dual role of customs administrations: facilitating legitimate international trade while helping prevent the movement of prohibited or illegally traded goods across borders.

The two sides agreed to work together on implementing the recommendations and measures adopted during the inaugural working-group session.

The meeting therefore provides a framework for continuing Morocco-Russia customs cooperation, with the implementation of existing protocols and the planned AEO negotiations expected to remain key priorities through the coming years.