Morocco Extends Copper Export Control Measures Until 2026

Thursday 13 March 2025 - 15:38

By: Zahouani Ilham

Morocco Extends Copper Export Control Measures Until 2026

The Moroccan government has decided to extend the pre-authorization system for copper exports until February 18, 2026, according to a circular issued by the Customs and Indirect Taxes Administration (ADII). This decision aims to strengthen oversight of the export of this strategic metal, continuing measures that were first introduced in 2021 and renewed in 2023 and 2024.

The Minister of Industry and Trade approved this measure in February 2025, which is expected to be published in the Official Gazette soon. The system's goal is to monitor the export of copper, a metal that experiences global price fluctuations. Copper plays a crucial role in industries such as electronics and equipment manufacturing, with growing global demand driven by energy transition efforts and infrastructure expansion.

In response to these challenges, Moroccan authorities are taking steps to ensure the local market is adequately supplied while tackling illegal exports that fuel the black market. Morocco's mineral exports have seen a notable increase, driven by strong demand in European and Asian markets, which has made regulation more urgent.

Since 2021, the government has implemented successive restrictions to monitor the export of raw materials. These measures have contributed to improving the local sector's structure, encouraging companies to focus on industrial processing locally.

Despite these efforts, authorities remain vigilant to prevent smuggling and the use of counterfeit permits, having seized several illegal shipments in recent months.