Casablanca – Morocco’s customs revenues posted a strong performance in 2025, reflecting the combined impact of sustained economic activity, rising imports, and improved tax collection at the country’s borders. According to official data from the General Treasury of the Kingdom, net customs receipts exceeded $10.38 billion by the end of December 2025, marking a 9.1% increase compared with the same period in 2024.

This performance highlights the growing role of customs taxation in strengthening public finances, at a time when the government continues to manage budgetary pressures while supporting economic recovery and investment. Customs revenues remain one of the most dynamic components of state resources, closely linked to trade flows, energy imports, and domestic consumption trends.

Broad-based growth across major revenue streams

Net customs revenues are composed mainly of three key components: customs duties, value-added tax (VAT) on imports, and the domestic consumption tax (TIC) applied primarily to energy products. The latest figures indicate that all three categories contributed significantly to the overall increase, although at varying rates.

Customs duties generated nearly $1.75 billion in net revenues in 2025, representing a 6.6% year-on-year increase. This growth reflects the continued expansion of Morocco’s foreign trade, particularly in manufactured goods, consumer products, and industrial inputs. It also points to improved customs clearance processes and compliance mechanisms, which have helped reduce revenue leakages and enhance collection efficiency.

VAT on imports remained the largest contributor to customs revenues. Net receipts from this tax reached approximately $6.52 billion by the end of December 2025, up 8.2% compared with the previous year. This increase mirrors the rise in taxable imports, especially in sectors such as machinery, transport equipment, consumer goods, and raw materials used in domestic production.

Within this category, contrasting trends were observed between energy and non-energy products. VAT collected on energy imports declined by 3.9%, reflecting price adjustments and changing import volumes in the energy sector. In contrast, VAT on non-energy products increased by 10.6%, underlining the resilience of domestic demand and the continued diversification of Morocco’s import structure.

Strong rebound in energy-related taxes

One of the most notable developments in 2025 was the strong growth in revenues from the domestic consumption tax applied to energy products. Net TIC receipts exceeded $2.11 billion, recording a 14.3% increase compared with 2024. This performance reflects higher consumption of fuel products, particularly diesel and gasoline, driven by transport activity, logistics, and broader economic expansion.

The rise in energy-related tax revenues also points to the sensitivity of public finances to global energy markets. While international oil prices experienced periods of volatility during the year, Morocco’s import volumes remained elevated, supporting tax receipts despite fluctuations in price levels.

Impact of refunds, exemptions, and restitutions

The customs revenue figures take into account tax refunds, exemptions, and restitutions, which are designed to support exporters, promote investment, and ensure the proper application of tax laws. In 2025, total refunds and restitutions amounted to approximately $10.82 million, including around $6.29 million related specifically to the domestic consumption tax on energy products.

These mechanisms play a critical role in maintaining the competitiveness of Moroccan firms, particularly those operating in export-oriented sectors such as automotive manufacturing, aeronautics, electronics, and agro-industry. By allowing companies to recover certain taxes paid on imported inputs, the system helps reduce production costs and encourages integration into global value chains.

Customs revenues and budgetary stability

The strong performance of customs revenues in 2025 contributed significantly to the overall stability of Morocco’s public finances. At a time when governments worldwide are facing rising expenditure needs linked to social programs, infrastructure investment, and energy transition, the steady growth of border-related tax receipts provides a valuable source of funding.

Customs revenues not only support the central government budget but also help finance public services, social protection programs, and strategic investment projects. Their resilience in 2025 suggests that Morocco’s fiscal framework remains relatively robust, despite ongoing global uncertainties and regional economic challenges.

Link to trade dynamics and economic activity

The increase in customs revenues is closely tied to the broader evolution of Morocco’s trade and economic activity. Over the past year, the Kingdom has continued to deepen its integration into international markets, supported by a diversified export base and strong import demand for industrial equipment, consumer goods, and energy products.

Sectors such as automotive manufacturing, phosphates, agribusiness, and electronics have maintained solid export performance, while domestic investment projects have driven imports of capital goods and construction materials. This combination of export growth and import demand has translated into higher taxable flows at customs points.

Moreover, the government’s ongoing efforts to modernize customs administration, enhance digitalization, and improve risk management have helped streamline clearance procedures and strengthen compliance. These reforms have contributed to faster processing times, reduced fraud, and more accurate revenue collection.

Outlook for 2026

Looking ahead, customs revenues are expected to remain a key pillar of Morocco’s fiscal framework in 2026, although their trajectory will depend on several factors. These include global economic conditions, energy price trends, domestic demand, and potential policy changes affecting tariffs and tax rates.

Recent policy decisions, such as adjustments to customs duties on specific products, including consumer electronics, are likely to influence revenue patterns in the coming year. At the same time, continued investment in infrastructure, logistics, and industrial development is expected to sustain import volumes, supporting VAT and customs duty receipts.

In parallel, Morocco’s strategy to expand renewable energy production and reduce dependence on imported fossil fuels could gradually reshape the structure of energy-related tax revenues over the medium term. While this transition supports environmental objectives and energy security, it may also require adjustments to fiscal policy to maintain stable revenue streams.

A key contributor to public finance resilience

The 2025 customs revenue figures underscore the importance of border taxation as a stabilizing force in Morocco’s public finances. With net receipts exceeding $10.38 billion, customs revenues not only reflect the country’s active trade engagement but also demonstrate the effectiveness of ongoing reforms in tax administration and customs governance.

As Morocco continues to navigate a complex global economic environment, the performance of customs revenues will remain a closely watched indicator of both trade dynamics and fiscal health. The 2025 results suggest a solid foundation heading into 2026, supported by diversified trade flows, steady domestic demand, and a continued focus on fiscal modernization.