Algerian authorities have implemented new mandatory procedures for importers engaged in reselling goods, designed to enhance oversight of the national market's distribution channels. The Ministry of Commerce has directed trade directorates across the country to require importers to disclose their distribution networks and client lists *before* finalizing bank settlement procedures for import operations.
Algeria import regulations distribution transparency
This new directive mandates that importers provide detailed information on the entities receiving imported goods, including names, addresses, commercial registry numbers, and the nature of their business. This step is a crucial addition to the existing 45-day timeframe allocated for bank settlements, aiming to strengthen control over the flow of imported goods within Algeria and promote greater transparency in distribution.
The measures are part of a broader government initiative to boost the transparency of import activities and meticulously track the journey of imported commodities. The objective is to improve regulation of distribution networks, ensure products reach their designated destinations, and support efforts to organize foreign trade and rationalize import processes.
Specifically, importers benefiting from estimated import programs approved by the Ministry of Commerce and Export Promotion must now have their distribution networks pre-approved. This endorsement must be completed within the legal deadlines for bank settlement, typically 45 days from the approval date of the estimated import program.
Trade services are requiring all affected importers to prepare and submit a file detailing their distribution network. This includes completing a dedicated table with sealed and signed information, submitted in both hard copy and digital formats (Excel). A copy of the approved import program must also be attached.
The required table will solicit comprehensive details about the importer's approved distribution network, encompassing client identities, commercial registry numbers, addresses, business activities, and relevant conformity certificates where applicable. This information will empower regulatory bodies to monitor the path of imported goods within the national market and verify the transparency of distribution channels, thereby reinforcing market regulation mechanisms and commercial activity oversight.
This development coincides with recent actions by the Bank of Algeria to tighten import control. A new regulation, Instruction No. 01/2026 dated May 14, 2026, requires economic operators to complete bank settlements *before* goods are shipped by foreign suppliers. This measure aims to curb illicit financial transfers and prevent any irregularities in import transactions, reinforcing the country's commitment to robust financial oversight and trade regulation.
Related topics: Algeria import regulations, distribution channels, market transparency, economic oversight, Algerian trade policy, Bank of Algeria
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