Morocco approves first commercial transit operation by customs in occupied Melilla

This article was automatically translated from HIBAPRESS, the Arabic version:

Heba Press: Muhammad Zariyouh

Morocco gave the green light to the first commercial transit operation through its customs post with the occupied city of Melilla, and a truck loaded with 600 kilograms of household appliances and air conditioners entered Moroccan territory, sources said to the El Faro newspaper. The process went smoothly, unlike a previous attempt last week which failed due to vehicle and customs document hurdles.

During the previous attempt, the Moroccan authorities refused to pass the cargo and demanded that the vehicle be replaced by a truck with a closed body. Although all the required conditions were met, additional fees were added to the process, prompting the Spanish exporter to cancel the crossing and return to Melilla.

The new agreement between the two countries stipulates that one truck will cross daily in a first phase, while prohibiting the use of articulated trucks or containers, and setting customs working hours between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., with closure on days official holidays for both countries.

Permitted goods include household appliances, electronics and hygiene products, while Morocco can export items such as fruit, vegetables and fish to Melilla. However, the passenger transport system demanded by businessmen in occupied Melilla, allowing non-commercial transport of goods, has not yet been adopted.

Businessmen and traders in Melilla express their rejection of the restrictions imposed on the type of goods allowed, highlighting the need to return to the freedom of trade as it was before the closure of the crossing in August 2018.

This stage marks the beginning of the development of economic relations between Morocco and Spain, but it faces challenges in achieving a balance between trade facilitation and respect for the economic policies of both parties.