Why Moroccan buyers source scrap from Europe
Morocco's industrial base — copper cable manufacturing in Casablanca and Tanger, aluminum profile extruders in Kenitra, brass hardware producers in Fès, and the growing steel mini-mill sector — imports the majority of its metal scrap. European origin is preferred because the EU-Morocco Association Agreement enables preferential duty treatment on qualifying goods (EUR.1 certificate of origin), the short 6–9 day sailing from Rotterdam to Tanger Med minimises freight, and EU-graded scrap satisfies Morocco's Ministry of Industry import controls. Compared with informal-market sources, EU cargo delivers consistent per-container weight and predictable chemistry.
Products we ship to Morocco
Copper: Millberry, Candy, Chops, Birch/Cliff — for Casablanca and Tanger cable manufacturers. Aluminum: 6063 extrusion (for Moroccan profile extruders), UBC, Taint/Tabor, Tense, Troma wheels — for secondary smelters and die-casters. Brass: Honey and mixed brass — for the traditional brass hardware industry in Fès and the modern brass fitting producers in Casablanca. HMS 1&2 and plate/structural steel — for steel mini-mills producing rebar for Moroccan construction.
Shipping routes to Morocco
From Rotterdam we serve two primary Moroccan ports: Tanger Med (deep-water Mediterranean hub on the Strait of Gibraltar, 6–8 days direct from Rotterdam) and Casablanca (Atlantic port serving central Morocco, 7–10 days direct). Agadir available for southern deliveries via transhipment. Direct sailings on Maersk, MSC, CMA-CGM. Given the short transit, contract-to-arrival cycle can be as fast as 14–21 days from LC opening. Short transit also minimises exchange-rate exposure on LME-linked contracts.
EUR.1 preferential origin and duty savings
The EU-Morocco Association Agreement provides preferential (zero or reduced) import duty on qualifying originating goods when accompanied by a EUR.1 movement certificate. For scrap metal HS codes, this can eliminate the standard MFN duty. We issue EUR.1 certificates for every qualifying shipment — the certificate travels with the commercial invoice and packing list. Moroccan buyers should verify their end-product category with local customs to confirm the duty saving.
Documentation for Moroccan customs clearance
Every container ships with: commercial invoice (French translation available), packing list, weighbridge tickets, container photographs, bill of lading, EUR.1 certificate of origin, SGS or BV pre-shipment inspection certificate, and Annex VII waste-shipment movement document under EU Regulation (EC) 1013/2006. HS codes declared correctly (7404, 7602, 7204). Morocco applies pre-notification for certain waste imports — we work with the buyer's forwarder to ensure movement documents pre-clear.
Payment terms and LC handling
Standard payment terms are 30% TT advance + 70% LC at sight against scanned B/L, or 100% LC at sight for established accounts. Moroccan LCs are typically advised through Attijariwafa Bank, Banque Populaire, BMCE Bank of Africa, Crédit du Maroc or CIH Bank via our Rotterdam banking. UCP 600 governs. Short transit means LC discounting exposure is limited.
Buyer KYC and eligibility
KYC pack required: Moroccan commercial register (Registre du Commerce), Ministry of Industry industrial licence, ICE number (Identifiant Commun de l'Entreprise), VAT registration, most recent bank reference, recent utility bill. Verification 24–48 hours. We contract with licensed Moroccan end-users (smelters, mills, extruders) and licensed scrap importers only, not with unverified trading intermediaries.
Pricing and market pattern for Moroccan deliveries
Copper priced as percentage of LME Copper Grade A CIF Casablanca or Tanger Med. Aluminum as percentage of LME P1020A cash. HMS priced against Mediterranean deep-sea benchmark (Turkey Iskenderun) with Morocco basis. Short Rotterdam-Morocco transit produces highly competitive CIF pricing — often more competitive than sourcing through Spanish or Turkish resellers. Written quotes within 24 hours of RFQ, valid 48 hours subject to LME.