Drones forbidden what happens to onboard drone when visiting Morocco?

[Franziska]

Hi,

as far as I know drones are strictly forbidden in Morocco.

As far as I know you can declare them when entering at an airport (not trying to smuggle them!!!) and have them returned for a small storage fee when leaving Morroco again.

Now I wonder how the procedure is for boats. I have no intention to fly our DJI Mini 2 over there, but when we leave Spain next year, what do we do with it if we want to visit Morroco and proceed onwards thereafter?

Ideally we would not want to head back to the first port of entry.

What are your actual experiences with this?

Thanks, Franziska

[Franziska]

Noone with experience on how to handle this?

[Tupaia]

https://uavcoach.com/drone-laws-in-morocco/


The above link gives a contact to the Aviation Authority in Morocco, the website doesn't help much. I tried the contact form with no response. Maybe if it is declared in advance there is a method where it could be bonded on-board. report back if you have more information.

[JPA Cate]

Franziska,

I would emphasize the safety aspects of it, for examining anchorages in advance, if I tried to get permission. You need to talk to some people with experience of the Morrocan Customs. Some places, they would keep it for you, locked up, and release it to you when you leave. Others, confiscate and destroy. But if you get a feel for how strict they actually are you could get an idea.

Ann

[Stewie12]

Whatever you do do not conceal it and if asked declare it. I have been boarded by the customs in Casablanca and, whilst they were very polite, they pointed out a yacht that had been arrested for smuggling denim jeans.

[sailing_gal]

I was in Morocco by boat before Covid. When I checked in with customs, they asked me if I had a drone. I didn't. But they would have removed it from my boat and returned it upon my departure.

[MoodyS]

You need to be aware that you will be clearing in and out of each port that you visit in Morocco, so going back to retrieve your drone won't be an issue. Declare it immediately, be very polite and there should be no problem although it may be impounded for the duration of your visit. Also the Atlantic coast ports tend to be more relaxed than the Med.

[MoodyS]

You need to be aware that you will be clearing in and out of each port that you visit in Morocco, so going back to retrieve your drone won't be an issue. Declare it immediately, be very polite and there should be no problem although it may be impounded for the duration of your visit.

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by MoodyS

You need to be aware that you will be clearing in and out of each port that you visit in Morocco, so going back to retrieve your drone won't be an issue. Declare it immediately, be very polite and there should be no problem although it may be impounded for the duration of your visit.

That's interesting thank you.

In any case I do accept their restrictions and have no intention to fly there.

So I hope beeing open about it, polite and up front will work.

I have also written (in French) to the main customs office branch in Rabat to hear about this.
Will be interesting to see if and what they reply.

[Franziska]

So, here we go, I got a reply from the main Customs office in Rabat.
Here a copy of it in French (=Original) and English (=Google Translate).
I'll post a screenshot as well. Guess that is a starting point when arriving in port.
The complete procedure reminds me of onboard weapon procedures..

ENGLISH:

"...
Central Unit in charge of requests to the Central Administration Sir, Following your message, we inform you that drone transit operations are authorized directly by the import office upon presentation of an ATA carnet or the subscription of a transit receipt covered by an approved surety by this Administration. Drones in transit must be placed under customs seal so as to guarantee the non-use of said devices during the transit period which must not exceed eight (08) days. The person responsible for transporting the drone between the two customs offices will be invited to serve and sign an undertaking to respect the formalities inherent in the transit regime and not to use this drone throughout the transit period. The documents justifying the departure from Morocco to abroad (copy of the plane ticket, copy of the boat reservation, etc.) must be annexed to this commitment. Distinguished Considerations..."

FRENCH:
"...


Unité centrale chargée des requêtes à l'Administration Centrale

Monsieur,

Suite à votre message, nous vous informons que les opérations de transit des drones sont autorisées directement par le bureau d’importation moyennant la présentation d’un carnet ATA ou la souscription d’un acquit-à-caution de transit couvert par une caution agréée par cette Administration.
Les drones en transit doivent être mis sous scellé douanier de façon à garantir la non utilisation desdits engins pendant la période de transit qui ne doit pas dépasser huit (08) jours.
La personne chargée de l’acheminement du drone entre les deux bureaux douaniers sera invitée à servir et signer un engament de respecter les formalités inhérentes au régime de transit et de ne pas utiliser ce drone tout au long de la période du transit. Les documents justifiant le départ du Maroc vers l’étranger (copie du biller d’avion, copie de réservation du bateau,…) doivent être annexés à cet engagement.
Considérations distinguées..."
Attachment 248191

[Tupaia]

That is very informative, always best to get information from the horses mouth. Since you have to check out from each port and back in at the next does the 8 days restart.

[Benz]

Now that the question has been answered, can I drift the thread to the extent of asking why drone use is so strictly forbidden? I can see prohibitions on firearms, pjorn, drugs, and bibles, but why drones?

[Tetepare]

Originally Posted by Benz

Now that the question has been answered, can I drift the thread to the extent of asking why drone use is so strictly forbidden? I can see prohibitions on firearms, pjorn, drugs, and bibles, but why drones?

Because drones are used for all sorts of nefarious activities and are difficult to find and intercept.

[toolbar]

Hi,

we originally wanted to go to the canaries via atlantic Morocco before we changed plans. Our workaround would have been to send the drone in a package to ourselves in a marina or to a transocean representative to pick up later.

Now I am not so sure, after reading about shipping delays to the canaries.

Paul

[chris95040]

Originally Posted by Benz

Now that the question has been answered, can I drift the thread to the extent of asking why drone use is so strictly forbidden? I can see prohibitions on firearms, pjorn, drugs, and bibles, but why drones?

Because they are annoying as s$))))! If i could ban them in my neighborhood i would.

Leafblowers too. So now you know the sort of crank i am, LOL.