The Moroccan cosmetics market is growing rapidly, with strong demand for international brands and natural products. But importing cosmetics to Morocco is no simple operation: regulation requires prior notification to the Direction du Médicament et de la Pharmacie (DMP), specific labeling in Arabic and French, and the provision of a Product Information File (PIF). This complete guide explains all the steps to legally import and market your cosmetic products in the Kingdom of Morocco.
Regulatory framework for cosmetics in Morocco
In Morocco, cosmetic products are governed by Law n°14-08 and its implementing decrees, under the supervision of the Direction du Médicament et de la Pharmacie (DMP), attached to the Ministry of Health. This regulation is largely inspired by European Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, which facilitates the import of products already compliant in Europe.
The main obligations for any importer are:
- Prior notification to DMP before any market launch
- Designation of a responsible person in Morocco (importer or their agent)
- Constitution of a Product Information File (PIF) kept available to the administration
- Compliant labeling in Arabic and French (or English)
- Compliance with positive and negative ingredient lists
- Cosmetovigilance: reporting of serious adverse effects
Without compliance with these obligations, your products may be withdrawn from the market, and you expose yourself to criminal sanctions.
Notification to DMP: the key step
Before being able to market a cosmetic product in Morocco, you must notify it to DMP. Procedure:
- Preparation of the notification file: official form + supporting documents.
- Designation of a market launch responsible in Morocco (importing company).
- Submission to DMP via the dedicated portal or paper format.
- Payment of fees according to the current scale (variable by number of products).
- Examination by DMP: verification of composition, labeling, claims.
- Issuance of notification certificate in 15 to 30 days for simple products, longer for sensitive products (UV, depilation, etc.).
The notification certificate is essential for BADR clearance. Without it, your goods will be blocked on arrival. Our firm assists clients in preparing and following up the notification file.
The Product Information File (PIF)
The PIF is a complete file on each imported cosmetic product. It must be kept by the responsible person in Morocco and made available to authorities upon simple request. Its content:
- Product description: trade name, use, conditions of use
- Safety assessment by a qualified toxicologist
- Qualitative and quantitative composition detailed (complete formula)
- Physico-chemical and microbiological specifications
- Manufacturing method and compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)
- Known adverse effects and precautions of use
- Evidence of claims made (anti-aging, moisturizing, etc.)
- Animal testing data (if applicable — prohibited in most cases)
For products already compliant with European Regulation (EC) 1223/2009, most of the PIF already exists and can be reused — this is an advantage for European brands. For brands from other regions (USA, Asia), the PIF must be specifically constituted for Morocco.
Labeling: Morocco-specific rules
Cosmetic labeling in Morocco is strictly regulated. Mandatory mentions are:
- Trade name of the product
- Function of the product (unless obvious)
- List of ingredients according to INCI nomenclature, in decreasing order of concentration
- Manufacturing batch number
- Minimum durability date or PAO (period after opening)
- Use precautions and warnings
- Country of origin (« Made in... »)
- Name and address of the responsible person in Morocco
- Nominal quantity (weight or volume)
Moroccan specificity: mandatory mentions must be in Arabic and French (or English). For products imported from Europe, this often requires over-labeling in Morocco before display.
⚠️ Forbidden claims
Medical claims (« cures », « treats », « definitively eliminates ») are strictly prohibited for cosmetics. Any product claiming therapeutic effects will be reclassified as a medicine and subject to much more constraining regulation.
Customs clearance and duties on cosmetics
Once notification is obtained and the product properly labeled, customs clearance can begin. The main HS code for cosmetics is chapter 33 of the Moroccan customs tariff.
| Type of cosmetic | Main HS code | Standard DI | DI with EUR.1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Perfumes and toilet waters | 3303 | 25% | 0% to 2.5% |
| Makeup (lips, eyes) | 3304 | 25% | 0% to 2.5% |
| Hair care | 3305 | 25% | 0% to 2.5% |
| Oral hygiene | 3306 | 25% | 0% to 2.5% |
| Shaving and body hygiene preparations | 3307 | 25% | 0% to 2.5% |
Without preferential agreement, cosmetics are among the most taxed products. With a valid EUR.1 (for EU imports), savings are massive.
Add import VAT (20%) and parafiscal tax (0.25%). Our firm, ADII-licensed, handles the entire customs clearance and logistics chain for cosmetics importers.