DUTY-FREE SHOPPING
Overview
The following articles may be imported into Morocco duty-free (people aged 21 and over):
200 grams of tobacco;
1 liter of spirits and 1 liter of wine;
Perfume (150 ml);
Eau de toilette (250 ml);
Coffee, tea and food only in the form of travel provisions;
Gifts worth up to Dh 2,000.
Import regulations
A special permit is required to import hunting rifles and ammunition. The import of prescription drugs is only possible with a medical certificate and a copy of the prescription.
Prohibited imports
Narcotics, drugs, pornographic products.
ECONOMY
Business etiquette
Correct clothing is expected, but a suit is not required in hot weather. Appointments should be made in advance. Persistent action, often with different interlocutors, is common.
Opening hours
Business hours: Mo-Fr 8.30 a.m.-12.30 p.m. and 3.00 p.m.-6.30 p.m. Authorities are usually open Mon-Thu 8.30 a.m.-12.00 p.m. and 2.30 p.m.-6.30 p.m., Fri 3.00 p.m.-6.30 p.m. Separate opening times apply during Ramadan.
Economy
Arab-German Association for Trade and Industry eV
Garnisonskirchplatz 1, D-10178 Berlin
Tel: (030) 278 90 70.
Internet: www.ghorfa.de
Austrian-Arab Chamber of Commerce
Lobkowitzplatz 1, A-1015 Vienna
Tel: (01) 513 39 65.
Internet: www.aacc.at
Chambre Allemande de Commerce et d’Industrie au Maroc
140, Bd. Zecktouni, 6ème étage, MA-20000 Casablanca
Tel: (0522) 42 94 00.
Internet: www.dihkcasa.org
La Federation des Chambres de Commerce et d’Industrie du Maroc (Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
6 Rue d’Erfoud, BP 218, MA-60001 Hassan-Rabat
Tel: (0537) 76 78 81, 76 70 51.
Business contacts
Arab-German Association for Trade and Industry eV
Garnisonskirchplatz 1, D-10178 Berlin
Tel: (030) 278 90 70.
Internet: www.ghorfa.de
Austrian-Arab Chamber of Commerce
Lobkowitzplatz 1, A-1015 Vienna
Tel: (01) 513 39 65.
Internet: www.aacc.at
Chambre Allemande de Commerce et d’Industrie au Maroc
140, Bd. Zecktouni, 6ème étage, MA-20000 Casablanca
Tel: (0522) 42 94 00.
Internet: www.dihkcasa.org
La Federation des Chambres de Commerce et d’Industrie du Maroc (Chamber of Commerce and Industry)
6 Rue d’Erfoud, BP 218, MA-60001 Hassan-Rabat
Tel: (0537) 76 78 81, 76 70 51.
COMMUNICATION
Phone
International direct dialing. Country code 00212. Area codes: Casablanca 22, Marrakech 44 and Rabat 37.
There are public phone booths in even the smallest towns. Teleboutiques with coin and card phones are available all over the country. Telephone cards are available in teleboutiques, post offices and tobacco shops. Customers can get advice in the Téléboutiques and receive change on request. The cheapest tariffs are at night and on public holidays.
International information: 120, city police: 19, emergency doctor and fire brigade: 15.
Phone
International direct dialing. Country code 00212. Area codes: Casablanca 22, Marrakech 44 and Rabat 37. Public telephone booths are also available in the smallest towns. Teleboutiques with coin and card phones are available all over the country. Telephone cards are available in teleboutiques, post offices and tobacco shops. Customers can get advice in the Téléboutiques and receive change on request. The cheapest tariffs are at night and on public holidays. International information: 120, city police: 19, emergency doctor and fire brigade: 15.
Cellphone
GSM 900/1800 and 3G 2100. Network operators include Maroc Telecom (Internet: www.iam.ma) and Meditel (Internet: www.meditel.ma). International roaming contracts exist. Maroc Telecom offers very good network coverage, but tourist centers are well covered by both providers. It is often worth buying a prepaid card.
Internet
Access the internet in business centers, hotels and internet cafes in every city. The main Internet providers include Maroc Telecom (Internet: www.iam.ma) and Jaweb (Internet: www.jaweb.ma). With the prepaid card from Maroc Telecom, you can surf the Internet with your laptop, iPhone and smartphone without restrictions for a month. Maroc Telecom also offers the best network coverage.
Post Office
Airmail to Europe takes up to a week on its way, the delivery is not always reliable. Post office opening times: Mon-Fri 8.30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2.30 p.m.-6.30 p.m., Sat 8.30 a.m.-2.00 p.m.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
SHOP
Overview
On certain days of the week there are markets in the towns and villages called souks. All products of the region are offered. There are also Coopartim shops (members of the Arts and Crafts Association), in which the goods are offered at fixed prices and certificates of authenticity are issued. Special shopping tips are leather goods, copper and silver goods, clothing made of silk and other fabrics, woolen rugs, carpets and blankets. Bargaining is common, the final price should be around a third of the asking price. In the south of the country there are auctions of Berber carpets in Marrakech, Taroudant and Tiznit – you should bring a guide.
Shop opening times:Mon-Sat 8.30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2.30 p.m.-7.30 p.m. (in Tangier Mon-Sat 8.30 a.m.-12 p.m. and 2.00 p.m.-7.00 p.m.). Some shops in the medinas (souks) are open on Sundays and many shops are closed on Fridays.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
In all larger towns, especially in Agadir, Marrakech and Tangier, the choice is relatively large; There are also international hotels in most major cities. More information from the Tourist Office (see addresses) or the Hotel Association: Federation Nationale de l ‘Industrie Hoteliers, Angle Avenue Nador et Rue 3, Quartier Polo, MA-20550 Casablanca (Tel: (0522) 80 04 87).
Categories: Classification with 1-5 stars.
Camping
There are well-equipped campsites in many parts of Morocco, a country located in Africa according to philosophynearby. The Tourist Office publishes an information brochure.
Other accommodation options
There are youth hostels in Asni, Azrou, Casablanca, Fez, Ifrane, Meknes and Rabat. They are reserved exclusively for schoolchildren, students and young people with a youth hostel card. Further information from the Youth Hostel Association: Fédération Royale Marocaine des Auberges de Jeunes, Parc de la Ligue Arabe, BP 15998, Casa Principle, MA-21000 Casablanca (Tel: (22) 47 09 52).