Background

On January 1st, 2006, the United States and Morocco implemented the USA - Morocco Free Trade Agreement.  In order to benefit from elimination of custom duties under the FTA, goods and services have to originate from the USA and/or Morocco, and more importantly, have to be shipped directly from the USA and/or Morocco.  Because of the absence of direct USA - Morocco shipments, U.S. exporters have had to document that Moroccan orders are specifically destined to Morocco and only transshipped in third-countries ports.

The PEX3 Line

On June 19, 2009, the United States and Morocco will inaugurate the direct shipment from the U.S. to Morocco.  This shipment, called the PEX3 line, will depart from the East Cost, Norfolk, VA and sail directly to Tangier, Morocco.

Since the implementation of the FTA in 2006, U.S. exports to Morocco exceeded 50%. With the inauguration of the direct shipment from the USA to Morocco, U.S. exports are expected to increase dramatically.  The direct shipment from the United States to Morocco will help U.S. exporters and Moroccan importers eliminate transshipment documentation, more easily claim the benefit of the FTA, reduce the costs and better promote U.S. products in Morocco.

The key figures of the PEX3 line are outlined below:

• Frequency: Every week
• Ports of Call: 12
• Vessel fleet: 8
• Duration: 56 days

The U.S. Commercial Service strongly recommends to U.S. firms that they use the direct U.S. - Morocco shipment line (The PEX3 Line) whenever possible.

Additional Information

The U.S. Commercial Service in Casablanca, Morocco can be contacted via e-mail at: Najia.tourougui@mail.doc.gov, Phone: +212 522 264 550, Ext. 4183; Fax: +212 522 220 259; or visit our website: http://www.buyusa.gov/morocco.

Resources and Contacts

Tanger Méditerranée Special Agency (TMSA)