Customs Dispels Rumors of New Import Restrictions
The Direction Générale des Douanes (DGD) has issued a clarification regarding regulations for "cabas" commerce, now formally termed "micro-importation." This intervention comes amidst public speculation and misunderstandings circulating on social media regarding potential new restrictions. The DGD's internal note specifically addresses its regional directors, aiming to reassure operators and ensure that no arbitrary procedures impede the activities of individual importers.
The clarification, outlined in correspondence n° 1729 dated September 9, 2026, from the Direction du Renseignement et de la Gestion des Risques, emphasizes adherence to existing legal frameworks. Customs officers are mandated to strictly comply with executive decree 25-170, promulgated in June 2025, without introducing additional requirements or blocking merchandise belonging to compliant operators. This directive seeks to counter any "excessive zeal" resulting from misinterpretations of earlier warnings concerning fraudulent practices.
The DGD's communication also reinforced several existing regulatory aspects crucial for micro-importers. These include a flat-rate customs duty of 5%, which specifically applies to customs duties and not to other tax obligations for auto-entrepreneurs. Furthermore, individual importers must self-finance their operations using foreign currency domiciled in a foreign currency account at the Banque Extérieure d’Algérie (BEA, as the state does not allocate official exchange rate currency for this activity. Digital declaration of goods before border crossings remains mandatory, and strict prohibitions are maintained on certain categories of goods.
By clarifying these guidelines and preventing local administrative initiatives not grounded in law, the Algerian Customs aims to stabilize the micro-importation sector. This measure is designed to foster a more predictable operational environment for individual importers while simultaneously maintaining rigorous control over the nature of imported products and the eligibility of travelers.
