Problem with multi-vehicle temporary imports

[Tim Cullis]

Talking to Peter Buitelaar (Bikershome), it seems that with very recent effect the rules regarding temporary importation of vehicles have changed and you are now limited to one vehicle per person. If there's two people in a motorhome with a scooter on the back, that's OK even though one person might be driving/riding both, but one person in a 4x4 towing a trailer with a motorbike is not.

This could create chaos for anyone bringing in a truck load of bikes with clients flying in to pick them up later.

Peter's wife, Zineb, has spoken to the head honcho of customs in Ouarzazate to check the situation out and it was described to her as "a new law".

Maybe this is the time to befriend a fellow ferry passenger and offer them a lift.

 

[Timolgra]

Interesting, have there been reports of anyone in that situation being turned back at the border?

And will befriending a passenger work, because the vehicle either needs to be registered in their name or a cover letter can suffice?

 

[Tim Cullis]

Interesting, have there been reports of anyone in that situation being turned back at the border?

All I've heard of is very long discussions with eventually being allowed to pass. The Moroccans are in a difficult moral situation trying to enforce this (a) without warning and (b) when you've travelled all the way through Europe and then taken the ferry to Morocco.

It was suggested to Zineb that it might be easier if the customs officer was in a good mood that day. Which is Moroccan-speak for making the customs officer happy with a gift. I'm not happy with that, I'd rather spend a few hours arguing!

And will befriending a passenger work, because the vehicle either needs to be registered in their name or a cover letter can suffice?

My comment about befriending a passenger was a bit tongue-in-cheek, but it would work in the same way as an unrelated couple in a motorhome with a bike on the back. If I understand the customs officer's comment correctly, it's OK if both the motorhome and the bike are registered to the same person so long as there's no more than one vehicle per person being allowed in. But I have to admit it sounds weird.