New Border Controls Combat Fraud, Safeguard Public Health

Algeria has deployed a new, comprehensive system of reinforced controls across its land, maritime, and air borders. This strategic redeployment, guided by a series of regulatory texts published in Official Gazette No. 60, aims to combat commercial fraud and intercept non-compliant goods upon their entry into national territory. The government is strengthening security and health networks at the country's access points through this unprecedented measure.

Central to this initiative is the creation of new customs control centers along the land borders, as ordered by a text dated June 1, 2026. These structural units will ensure continuous, round-the-clock surveillance of the adjacent border strip, with each center led by a brigade officer. A first wave of 14 such centers has been deployed, with priority locations including the wilayas of Tlemcen, Naâma, and Souk Ahras. These advanced posts provide crucial support to customs brigades and coordinate operations with the National Gendarmerie to combat cross-border crime and protect personnel, equipment, and seized merchandise.

In parallel, the Ministry of Commerce and customs authorities are reinforcing the inspection of imported products to protect both public health and local production. This involves the establishment of 53 quality and fraud repression inspectors who will operate across all maritime, air, and land crossing points, as well as in customs-controlled zones. Algiers will host eight of these quality inspectors, strategically placed at the port, Houari Boumediene airport, and various logistical areas. The system's extensive coverage also includes major national ports and airports, southern border posts such as Illizi, Tindouf, In Guezzam, and Bordj Badji Mokhtar, and internal customs zones throughout the country.