How to Pay a Chinese Supplier from Morocco (2026)

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Figures last checked: 31/10/2026.

If you want to pay a Chinese supplier from Morocco, the money almost always leaves through your Moroccan bank. Morocco has exchange controls: an import payment needs an import title filed on PortNet and domiciled with your bank before the bank can send foreign currency to China.

China is by far Morocco's biggest supplier in this trade: Chinese exports to Morocco were reported at USD 9.88 billion in 2025, against USD 1.08 billion going the other way (Morocco World News). This guide explains the Office des Changes rules in plain English, compares bank transfer, remise documentaire and documentary credit, and runs three worked examples, from a USD 3,000.00 trial order to a USD 50,000.00 repeat order.

Short answer: To pay a Chinese supplier from Morocco, file an engagement d'importation on PortNet and have your Moroccan bank domicile it. The bank then sends a deposit of up to 30.00% by SWIFT, and the balance after customs imputation, or earlier against shipping documents through a remise documentaire or a letter of credit.

In 30 seconds

• Always start on PortNet: file an engagement d'importation (EI) and domicile it with your bank before paying anything.

• Deposit cap: your bank can pay a deposit of up to 30.00% of the import value if the contract provides it.

• Full advance only for smaller orders: up to the foreign-currency equivalent of MAD 200,000.00 per operation, about USD 20,304.57 at USD 1.00 = MAD 9.85.

• Default rule: the balance is paid after customs "imputes" the title at clearance, unless you use a remise documentaire or an L/C.

• Budget for taxes: import VAT is 20.00%, plus customs duty by HS code and a 0.25% parafiscal tax.

In this guide: Quick answer · How a supplier payment leaves Morocco · How to pay a Chinese supplier from Morocco step · PortNet · How much can you pay in advance · Is it safe to pay a Chinese supplier by bank tra · What documents do you need to pay a supplier fro · Documentary credit vs remise documentaire vs ban · How much does it cost to import from China to Mo · Two more worked examples · Is there a free trade agreement between Morocco · By region · Mistakes to avoid when paying China from Morocco · Checklist · Key takeaways

Quick answer: the best way to pay a Chinese supplier from Morocco

The dirham has been convertible for current transactions since January 1993 (Bank Al-Maghrib). Paying for imported goods must still follow the Office des Changes instruction (IGOC), and your bank applies it.

How to pay an Alibaba supplier from Morocco

Orders placed on Alibaba.com follow the same Moroccan exchange rules. Under Alibaba's Trade Assurance, your payment is held in escrow and released to the supplier after you receive and confirm the goods; you can claim within 30 days of delivery if the order does not match the agreed terms, but only if you paid and talked on the platform (Alibaba.com). Before you start, ask your bank whether it can domicile a title and send the wire against the Alibaba order invoice. For bigger orders, many importers ask the factory for a direct proforma in the company's name and pay by SWIFT through the normal domiciliation path. Whatever you choose, verify the supplier before you pay.

Can you use Wise, a card or PayPal to pay a Chinese supplier from Morocco?

For goods your company imports into Morocco, a fintech does not replace the bank path: the payment must be linked to a domiciled title. There is also a practical block: Wise says you cannot fund a MAD balance from a bank account; you can only convert into MAD from another currency already held in Wise (Wise help centre). The IGOC 2026 did raise e-commerce allowances (MAD 20,000.00 a year for individuals, and at least MAD 50,000.00 a year for many small companies, per EcoActu), but ask your bank whether a supplier order qualifies before you rely on a card. If you also run a foreign trading company, read Hong Kong vs Dubai vs US LLC for importers and our Wise vs Payoneer vs Airwallex comparison.

With a trusted supplier, the simplest route is usually the first row: a deposit by transfer, and the balance once the goods clear customs.

How a supplier payment leaves Morocco

Under the IGOC, an import title must be "souscrit sur le système PortNet et domicilié auprès d'une banque". The bank opens an import file for each domiciled title, and checks that the contract matches the title and that the payment terms follow the exchange rules (IGOC 2024, Art. 37; Art. 47 in the IGOC 2026 per the Upsilon summary).

1. Your company signs a contract or proforma with the supplier.

2. PortNet: you file the engagement d'importation and send it for domiciliation.

3. Your bank accepts the title, opens the import file and sends the SWIFT transfer.

4. Correspondent and Chinese banks route the money to the supplier's company account.

5. Reporting: your bank records each payment on PortNet within 3 working days (IGOC 2026, Art. 50, per Upsilon).

How to pay a Chinese supplier from Morocco step by step

The full process in order, from the first quote to the last payment:

1. Verify the supplier. Check the business licence, the company bank account in the same name, and the factory address. Our supplier checklist covers this.

2. Agree the contract terms. Write the deposit (30.00% or less), the balance method and the Incoterm into the proforma. If FOB or CIF is unclear, read Incoterms explained.

3. Find the HS code and simulate taxes. Use ADIL on the customs website to see duty, TPI and VAT for your goods.

4. File the engagement d'importation on PortNet. Use the same values and currency as the proforma, and choose your bank.

5. Get the domiciliation accepted. Your bank opens the import file. Only now can it send foreign currency.

6. Send the deposit by SWIFT. The beneficiary name must match the company on the contract. Keep the MT103 copy.

7. Control quality and documents. Book an inspection before the balance and check the B/L, invoice and packing list.

8. Pay the balance. After customs imputation for a transfer, or against documents for a remise or an L/C.

PortNet: filing the engagement d'importation step by step

The engagement d'importation (EI) is the import title for goods that are free to import. It is filed online on PortNet, and it is valid six months for customs clearance, counted from domiciliation with an approved bank (eRegulations Rabat).

The PortNet importer guide adds a few practical points (PortNet guide):

• The menu path is Importation, then Titre et Documents, then Nouveau Titre d'Importation.

• Enter at least one country of provenance, one invoice and one line of goods. Invoices are attached as scanned PDF files; extra annexes are PDF files of 3 MB maximum.

• Pick your bank from your list, then enter FOB and freight, plus insurance if any.

• A 10.00% tolerance applies to weight, the amount to impute and the amount to pay. Check data before sending: errors cause rejection.

• An expired ("Échu") title can be extended with a "demande de prolongation", and the Historique screen shows whether it was domiciled, paid and imputed.

For the HS code, the guide points to ADIL, the customs online assistant, which shows the documents, taxes and tariff advantages for each HS code and simulates duties and taxes (EcoActu).

How much can you pay in advance? Office des Changes rules on deposit and balance

Three numbers decide when you may send money:

• Deposit (acompte): up to 30.00% of the total import value, if the contract provides it (Art. 44 of the 2024 text; Art. 53 in the IGOC 2026 per Upsilon). If the deposit exceeds 30.00% by no more than 5.00% of the final invoice, the bank may still pay the balance; beyond that you need an Office des Changes authorisation.

• Full advance: 100.00% of the invoice up to the foreign-currency equivalent of MAD 200,000.00, in one or several payments (Art. 45 of 2024; Art. 54 in 2026). Do not split one import to stay under it: the rules forbid it (Art. 46 of 2024).

• Balance: in principle paid after customs imputation of the title on PortNet, and within the imputed amount (IGOC 2024, Art. 40; Art. 50 in 2026). Upsilon notes that the IGOC 2026 sets no maximum payment deadline.

Operators categorised by the Office des Changes can pay 100.00% in advance (Art. 17 bis of 2024). The IGOC 2026 came into force on 01/01/2026 (Le360); ask your bank which article numbers it quotes today.

Office des Changes advance payment limit of MAD 200,000.00: what it means in USD

The threshold is set in dirhams, so its value in USD moves with the exchange rate. At USD 1.00 = MAD 9.85 (Wise mid-market rate on 31/10/2026, Wise), MAD 200,000.00 is about USD 20,304.57. Your bank uses its own rate on the day, so keep a margin if your order is close to the line.

Other limits worth knowing

• Freight overruns: may be paid up to 20.00% of the amount in the contract (IGOC 2026, Art. 56–57, per Upsilon).

• Private individuals not in the trade register: imports up to MAD 20,000.00 per person per year are exempt from the import commitment (Art. 55, per Upsilon).

• If the goods never come: any deposit or advance must be repatriated without delay, with proof to your bank (Art. 46 of 2024; Art. 68 in 2026).

Is it safe to pay a Chinese supplier by bank transfer from Morocco?

A SWIFT transfer is safe as a channel: it goes bank to bank and leaves a clear trace, and every Swift payment carries a tracking reference called the UETR (Swift). The risk is the supplier, not the transfer. Once your deposit reaches China, getting it back depends on the supplier's goodwill. That is why a small deposit protects you: on 30/70 terms at most 30.00% of the order is exposed before the goods exist, and above the MAD 200,000.00 equivalent the law caps it there anyway.

The common frauds are the same in every country: a "new bank account" sent by e-mail, a personal account instead of a company account, and a very low price that pushes you to pay fast. The fictional proforma below shows how these look on paper.

What documents do you need to pay a supplier from Morocco?

Have these ready, one folder per order:

• Before the deposit: the signed proforma or contract showing the payment terms, and the domiciled EI on PortNet.

• To send the wire: your bank's transfer order, with the beneficiary details exactly as on the supplier's bank record.

• For the balance by transfer: the customs imputation of the title, visible on PortNet.

• For a remise or an L/C: the shipping documents (bill of lading or air waybill), the final invoice and the packing list. The 2024 text makes payment conditional on proof of shipment to Morocco (Art. 42), and Upsilon notes that the IGOC 2026 accepts the final invoice and delivery note as the shipping document (Art. 52).

For what each document must show, read import documents explained.

Why was my payment to China returned?

Most returned or held payments come down to mismatches, not to the money itself. Providers serving this corridor list the same causes (XTransfer):

• The beneficiary name does not match the supplier's bank record exactly.

• The invoice, contract and payment amount do not agree with each other.

• Exchange-control or customs information is missing. In Morocco, that usually means the title was not domiciled, or the currency on the title differs from the invoice.

If a payment comes back, the funds return to your bank and stay linked to the import file. Fix the detail, then ask your bank to send again under the same title.

Documentary credit vs remise documentaire vs bank transfer

The IGOC lists bank transfer, documentary credit and documentary collection (remise documentaire) as settlement methods. A credit or collection must make payment conditional on proof of shipment to Morocco (IGOC 2024, Art. 42). That is why these two let you pay the balance before the goods arrive.

Bank fees for remise documentaire in Morocco and other charges

Fees come from each bank's price list. Bank of Africa's published list, for example, shows (all excluding tax) a domiciliation fee of MAD 100.00 per import commitment, a documentary commission on import collections of 1‰ (0.10%) at sight with a minimum of MAD 100.00 (1.5‰, minimum MAD 200.00, for acceptance), and an encashment commission of 2‰ (0.20%) with a minimum of MAD 200.00 (Bank of Africa). The list does not show L/C or outgoing SWIFT fees on its poster; ask for the full brochure. Correspondent banks may also deduct charges on the way: with SHA you share them with the supplier, with OUR you pay them all.

Who each method is for, and not for

• Bank transfer is for repeat orders with a supplier you know. Not for a first large order where you cannot inspect before paying.

• Remise documentaire is for suppliers who want the balance before arrival but accept bank handling of documents. Not for buyers who need quality checks after unloading: you pay before you see the goods.

• Documentary credit is for large first orders and new factories. Not for small orders: fees and paperwork weigh too much, and a small error in documents can delay payment.

• Full advance is for samples and trial orders under the MAD 200,000.00 equivalent. Not for anything you cannot afford to lose.

How much does it cost to import from China to Morocco? Worked example: a USD 12,000.00 order from Shenzhen to Tanger Med

Example scenario. A Casablanca importer buys USD 12,000.00 FOB of household goods from a Shenzhen factory, 30/70 terms, shipped to Tanger Med. At this size a full advance would also be allowed (it is under the MAD 200,000.00 equivalent), but 30/70 keeps the risk small. Freight and insurance are quoted at USD 1,800.00 (example figure). Duty uses Morocco's 2025 simple average MFN tariff for non-agricultural goods, 10.10% (WTO tariff profile); your real rate depends on the HS code.

VAT at 20.00% on imports and TPI at 0.25% come from PwC Tax Summaries (reviewed 30/04/2026). The VAT base is the customs value plus customs duties and parafiscal taxes (Upsilon). Customs and taxes are paid in dirhams at clearance; amounts are shown in USD for clarity. Import VAT is usually recoverable for a VAT-registered company, so the real cost is closer to USD 15,228.30 plus bank fees.

Cost per unit. If the order is 1,000 units, the cash cost is USD 18.27 per unit including VAT, and about USD 15.23 per unit once import VAT is recovered (USD 15,228.30 / 1,000.00). Plan the full landed cost with our landed cost guide.

How long is shipping from China to Tanger Med?

Shipping time matters for your cash, because a transfer balance waits for clearance. The quickest scheduled sea route from Shanghai to Tanger Med takes about 33 days, with 2–4 departures a week (Fluent Cargo). Tanger Med's four container terminals handled 11,106,164 TEU in 2025, up 8.40% on 2024, so most China services call there (Tanger Med).

Two more worked examples: a small first order and a large repeat order

The rules change with the order size, so here are two very different cases. Both use the same verified tax rates as above; freight and the duty rate are assumptions you must replace with your own quote and HS code. Rate used for dirham conversions: USD 1.00 = MAD 9.85 (Wise mid-market, 31/10/2026).

Example A: a USD 3,000.00 trial order paid 100.00% in advance

Example scenario. A Marrakech home-décor shop orders 300 units for USD 3,000.00 FOB. The order equals about MAD 29,550.00, far under MAD 200,000.00, so the bank may pay it all before shipment. It is above the MAD 20,000.00 individual exemption, so the shop files an EI.

The whole USD 3,000.00 is at risk until the goods ship, so run the supplier checks first.

Example B: a USD 50,000.00 repeat order with a remise documentaire

Example scenario. A Tangier distributor reorders 5,000 units for USD 50,000.00 FOB. That is about MAD 492,500.00, above the MAD 200,000.00 line, so the deposit is capped at 30.00%. The supplier wants the balance before arrival, so the buyer uses a remise documentaire at sight.

The remise fees work out at MAD 344.75 plus MAD 689.50, both above the minimums. Only USD 15,000.00 is at risk before shipment, and the balance is released against the B/L, so the supplier is paid without waiting about 33 days for the ship.

The same USD 50,000.00 order from Dubai, Europe or the USA

The Moroccan cap feels strict, but it also stops you sending USD 50,000.00 to a factory that has not shipped.

Is there a free trade agreement between Morocco and China?

No. In June 2026 China formally asked Morocco to negotiate a free trade agreement, and the trade minister said the proposal is "under reflection"; no talks had started (Morocco World News). So goods from China pay the common-law duty rate, and no preferential certificate of origin applies.

What did change: on 26/06/2026 the two customs services signed a mutual administrative assistance memorandum aimed at fraud, under-invoicing and false declarations, a mutual recognition agreement between their Authorised Economic Operator programmes, and a cooperation memorandum between Casablanca and Ningbo port customs (AllAfrica, citing ADII). For importers, the lesson is simple: the value on your invoice, your EI and your payment must match, because customs on both sides can now compare notes.

By region: MENA, Europe, USA

Morocco is one of the stricter markets for the payment step, but also one of the clearest: the rules are written and every bank applies them the same way.

• Gulf (UAE, Saudi Arabia): no import title is needed before paying, and you can pay by bank or fintech. The UAE does not restrict the repatriation of capital (US trade.gov). In Saudi Arabia, import VAT is 15.00% and is paid at customs clearance, before release (ZATCA import VAT guideline). See paying China from the UAE and from Saudi Arabia.

• North Africa (Egypt, Tunisia): Egypt requires Advance Cargo Information (ACI): an ACID number must be issued before the cargo is loaded and shown on the shipping documents, mandatory since 01/07/2021 (Hapag-Lloyd advisory); see paying from Egypt. Tunisia, like Morocco, requires imports to be domiciled with an authorised bank, and payment abroad only against an import certificate or authorisation (Tunisian decree 94-1743, Art. 12 and 40, WTO).

• Europe: EU law prohibits restrictions on payments between member states and third countries (TFEU, Art. 63), so there is no import file before paying; you choose a bank or a fintech freely. See paying from Europe.

• USA: same freedom, but all US persons and companies must comply with OFAC sanctions (OFAC FAQ). See paying from the USA.

Mistakes to avoid when paying China from Morocco

• Paying before domiciliation: the bank cannot send funds without an accepted title.

• Proforma and PortNet values that differ: payments above the imputed amount are only allowed in narrow cases (loss or damage before unloading, shortfalls on bulk goods).

• Splitting one order to fit under MAD 200,000.00: forbidden by the rules.

• Letting the EI expire: six months go fast with production delays; ask for an extension in time.

• Under-invoicing to cut duty: it breaks the match between invoice, EI and payment, and Moroccan and Chinese customs now cooperate against it.

• Paying a personal account or new details sent by e-mail: always verify the supplier and call before paying.

If something goes wrong: ask your bank to recall the SWIFT payment the same day, quoting its reference. If the goods never ship or the title is not imputed, the rules require you to repatriate the currency without delay and give your bank the proof. For quality disputes, a pre-shipment inspection before the balance is your best protection.

Checklist: paying a Chinese supplier from Morocco

• Supplier verified company licence, company bank account, phone check

• Contract terms deposit of 30.00% or less written in, balance method chosen

• HS code checked on ADIL duty, TPI and VAT simulated

• EI filed on PortNet values and currency identical to the proforma

• Domiciliation accepted by your bank, visible in Historique

• Deposit sent beneficiary name exactly as on the bank account

• Documents checked B/L, invoice, packing list, certificate of origin (see import documents)

• Balance paid after imputation or against documents, within six months

Key takeaways

• Every import payment from Morocco starts with an engagement d'importation filed on PortNet and domiciled with your bank.

• Below the MAD 200,000.00 equivalent you may pay 100.00% in advance; above it the deposit is capped at 30.00%.

• The balance is paid after customs imputation, or earlier against documents with a remise documentaire or an L/C.

• Budget duty by HS code, TPI at 0.25% and import VAT at 20.00% on top of the goods and freight.

• There is no free trade agreement with China, so no preferential duty applies.

• Pay only the supplier's company account, and call before any change of bank details.

Glossary

PortNet: Morocco's foreign-trade single window, where import titles are filed.

Engagement d'importation (EI): the import title for goods that are free to import.

Domiciliation: your bank's acceptance of the title and opening of an import file.

Imputation douanière: customs recording the goods' entry against the title on PortNet.

Office des Changes: the authority that sets Morocco's exchange rules.

IGOC: the general instruction on exchange operations; the 2026 version applies from 01/01/2026.

Remise documentaire: documentary collection; banks release documents against payment.

TPI: taxe parafiscale à l'importation, 0.25% of the goods' value.

MT103 and UETR: the SWIFT payment message and its unique tracking reference; ask your bank for both.

FAQ

Can I pay a Chinese supplier 100.00% in advance from Morocco? Yes, up to the foreign-currency equivalent of MAD 200,000.00 per operation, in one or several payments. Categorised companies can pay 100.00% in advance without that limit. Above the threshold, the deposit is capped at 30.00%.

How much deposit can my Moroccan bank send to China? Up to 30.00% of the import value, if the contract provides for it. Anything above that, beyond a 5.00% tolerance, needs an Office des Changes authorisation.

Can I use Wise or Payoneer from Morocco to pay China? Not as a replacement for your bank for goods imported into Morocco: the payment must be tied to a domiciled PortNet title. Wise also says a MAD balance cannot be funded from a bank account.

Can I pay a Chinese supplier in Moroccan dirhams? No, in practice. Chinese suppliers ask for CNY, USD or EUR, and your bank converts your dirhams when it sends the wire. Use the same currency on the proforma, the EI and the transfer.

Do I need a Chinese bank account to pay a supplier? No. Your Moroccan bank sends a SWIFT transfer straight to the supplier's company account in China. You only need the exact beneficiary name, account number and bank SWIFT code.

How long is an engagement d'importation valid? Six months for clearance, from the domiciliation date with an approved bank. An expired title can be extended on PortNet with a "demande de prolongation". Ask early if production runs late.

What is the import VAT rate in Morocco? 20.00% on imports in general, with 10.00% for some specifically designated imports. It is calculated on the customs value plus duties and parafiscal taxes. A VAT-registered company can usually recover it.

Can I pay in CNY instead of USD? Ask your bank: it depends on the currencies it can send and on the contract currency. The title, the invoice and the transfer must use the same currency.

How long does an international transfer from Morocco to China take? Once the domiciliation is accepted, the bank sends the SWIFT payment. Swift reported in 2020 that 92.00% of its tracked cross-border payments were credited within 24 hours; delays usually come from missing documents or name mismatches. Ask your bank for the MT103 and UETR to track it.

Why was my payment to China returned? The usual causes are a beneficiary name that does not match the bank record, amounts that differ between invoice, contract and payment, or missing exchange-control information. Correct the detail and ask your bank to resend under the same title. Never accept new bank details by e-mail alone.

Can an auto-entrepreneur in Morocco import from China and pay the supplier? The exchange rules apply to any importer, and the payment still needs a domiciled title. Private individuals not in the trade register are exempt from the EI only up to MAD 20,000.00 per year.

What if the supplier asks for a 50.00% deposit? On orders above the MAD 200,000.00 equivalent, your bank cannot send more than 30.00% before imputation unless you are categorised or authorised. Explain this to the supplier and offer a remise documentaire for the balance, so they are paid against the B/L before the goods arrive.

Do I need a certificate of origin to import from China to Morocco? There is no free trade agreement with China, so no preferential origin applies. PortNet still asks for the country of origin of each goods line. Read import documents explained for the full list.

Related guides

• How to Pay a Chinese Supplier: Wise vs Payoneer vs Airwallex
• How to Verify a Chinese Supplier Before Paying: 12-Point Checklist (2026)
• Landed Cost China Imports: Formula & Examples (2026)
• Pay Chinese Supplier from Egypt: ACI, Banks & FX 2026
• Setup Route Finder: which company should you open?

This guide is general information and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Exchange rules, duties and bank fees change; confirm with your bank, a customs broker and the Office des Changes before paying.

Sources

• Office des Changes: Instruction générale des opérations de change 2024 (checked 31/10/2026)

• Upsilon: Goods import in Morocco, IGOC 2026 summary (checked 31/10/2026)

• Le360: IGOC 2026 in force from January 2026 (checked 31/10/2026)

• EcoActu: IGOC 2026 e-commerce allowances (checked 31/10/2026)

• PortNet: Guide importateur (checked 31/10/2026)

• eRegulations Rabat: Souscrire un engagement d'importation (checked 31/10/2026)

• Bank Al-Maghrib: The bank in a few dates (checked 31/10/2026)

• PwC: Morocco, other taxes (checked 31/10/2026)

• Upsilon: Base imposable de la TVA au Maroc (checked 31/10/2026)

• WTO: Morocco tariff profile (checked 31/10/2026)

• EcoActu: ADII ADIL online assistant (checked 31/10/2026)

• Bank of Africa: Tarification bancaire (checked 31/10/2026)

• Wise: USD to MAD mid-market rate (checked 31/10/2026)

• Wise: MAD transfers help article (checked 31/10/2026)

• Alibaba.com: How Trade Assurance protects your purchases (checked 31/10/2026)

• XTransfer: How Moroccan importers pay Chinese suppliers (checked 31/10/2026)

• Swift: gpi driving the payments revolution, 07/10/2020 (checked 31/10/2026)

• Fluent Cargo: Shanghai to Tanger Med (checked 31/10/2026)

• Tanger Med: Port activity report 2025 (checked 31/10/2026)

• Morocco World News: China asks Morocco for a free trade deal (checked 31/10/2026)

• AllAfrica: Morocco and China customs sign three agreements (checked 31/10/2026)

• ZATCA: Guideline on imports and exports under VAT (checked 31/10/2026)

• Hapag-Lloyd: Egypt Advance Cargo Information (checked 31/10/2026)

• WTO: Tunisian decree 94-1743 on foreign trade operations (checked 31/10/2026)

• US trade.gov: UAE investment climate statement (checked 31/10/2026)

• EUR-Lex: TFEU Article 63 (checked 31/10/2026)

• OFAC: Basic information FAQs (checked 31/10/2026)