Every summer, thousands of MREs transport cash between France and Morocco to help their families, invest or cover holiday expenses. Regulations are strict on both sides of the border. This guide clearly explains what you can legally carry, when and how to declare it, and the penalties for non-declaration. Sources: Regulation (EU) 2018/1672 on the European side, General Instruction on Foreign Exchange Operations (IGOC) 2026 on the Moroccan side.
Costs & fees
| Non-declaration fine in France (minor) | Check on douane.gouv.fr | Under the applicable texts |
| Non-declaration fine in France (serious) | Check on douane.gouv.fr | Depending on the circumstances |
| Non-declaration fine in Morocco | Check on douane.gov.ma | Depending on the undeclared amount and circumstances |
| DALIA online declaration fee | Check on douane.gouv.fr | Online service from French customs |
| Dirham conversion at airport | Check with the bank or exchange office | Variable by Moroccan bank or exchange office |
Timeline
French and EU rules: declare from EUR 10,000
Any traveller entering or leaving the European Union with EUR 10,000 or more in cash (or equivalent) must declare it to French customs. The threshold is EUR 10,000 per person (not per family). Customs specifies that the obligation falls on the person carrying the sum, whether or not they own it. The declaration is made via the DALIA online service (douane.gouv.fr), at the earliest 30 days before the trip and at the latest before crossing the border.
💡 Tip: The DALIA online declaration can be made at the earliest 30 days before the trip and at the latest before crossing the border (douane.gouv.fr).
⚠️ Warning: The rule also applies to amounts sent by post or parcel (without physical accompaniment).
What to declare concretely: banknotes, cheques, prepaid cards
On the European side, the definition of cash subject to declaration is in Regulation (EU) 2018/1672 (eur-lex.europa.eu). On the Moroccan side, the 2026 IGOC requires a declaration for banknotes and other payment instruments denominated in foreign currency, and for bearer negotiable financial instruments, including travellers' cheques, when their value reaches 100,000 dirhams.
💡 Tip: If you are carrying money for a third party (family transfer), the amount still counts towards your personal threshold. Nothing exempts you from the declaration.
⚠️ Warning: If checked without a declaration for an amount over EUR 10,000, penalties apply; they can be consulted on douane.gouv.fr.
Moroccan rules: declare from 100,000 MAD
Both entering and leaving Morocco, any traveller carrying the equivalent of 100,000 MAD or more (in foreign currencies or dirhams) must declare it to customs (ADII). For foreign currencies (euros, dollars, pounds) entering Morocco: no legal limit, but declaration is mandatory from 100,000 MAD equivalent. On departure, MREs may export the foreign-currency payment instruments they previously imported; the export of banknotes is subject to declaration and must be justified by the import declaration filed on entry. In addition, MREs may each year buy back and export up to 100,000 dirhams of foreign currency repatriated and sold on the exchange market over the previous twelve months (excluding currency credited to their convertible dirham accounts), on presentation of the annotated import declaration and exchange slips.
💡 Tip: The import declaration filed on entry into Morocco serves as proof for taking currencies out (2026 IGOC).
⚠️ Warning: Foreign currency transactions between residents and non-residents in Morocco are regulated by the Office des Changes. For their expenses in Morocco, non-resident individuals must exchange their foreign currency for dirhams at banks, foreign exchange operators or sub-delegated establishments (2026 IGOC).
Dirhams: what can you export?
The Moroccan dirham is a non-convertible international currency. Export rules are strict under the 2026 IGOC: (1) The import and export of dirhams are prohibited, except that travellers may export and import up to 2,000 MAD in banknotes. (2) Beyond that, dirhams must be reconverted into foreign currency at an authorised bank or exchange office in Morocco before departure. (3) MREs who have opened a convertible dirham account (CDC) can make international transfers from that account without limitation for legally acquired funds.
⚠️ Warning: Attempting to take out more than 2,000 MAD in Moroccan banknotes without prior reconversion is a violation of exchange regulations.
Bank transfers as an alternative to cash
To send money to your family in Morocco from Europe, bank transfers and licensed transfer services are an alternative to carrying cash. A SEPA or international transfer from your European bank to a Moroccan account is possible without any limit (your bank may ask for documentation above certain thresholds).
⚠️ Warning: Informal channels (unlicensed hawalas, individuals carrying money for payment) are not channels authorised by exchange regulations.
In depth
Detailed regulations
French/EU side (Regulation (EU) 2018/1672):
The EUR 10,000 threshold has existed since 2005. The declaration is made to customs in any EU member state. If you are departing from France, it is French customs. The declaration is made online via the customs DALIA service.
Moroccan side (2026 IGOC):
Tourists and non-resident MREs can enter Morocco with foreign currencies without limitation, but must declare them above 100,000 MAD equivalent. The export of banknotes on departure is subject to declaration and justified by the import declaration filed on entry.
Non-convertible dirhams: The import and export of dirhams are prohibited, except up to 2,000 dirhams in banknotes for travellers (2026 IGOC).
Convertible dirham account (CDC) for MREs: MREs can open a CDC at a Moroccan bank. This account allows incoming and outgoing transfers in foreign currencies, without limit, for funds legitimately earned abroad
❌ Common mistakes to avoid
- ✕Believing the EUR 10,000 rule only applies to euro banknotes: it covers all currencies (dollars, pounds, dirhams) converted to euro value
- ✕Thinking you can split EUR 20,000 between 2 family members to stay under the threshold: if the funds are joint, the declaration applies
- ✕Forgetting to declare bearer negotiable instruments (travellers' cheques, bearer cheques): they are subject to declaration on the Moroccan side (2026 IGOC)
- ✕Taking out more than 2,000 MAD in Moroccan banknotes without reconversion: a violation of Office des Changes regulations
- ✕Not keeping the Moroccan entry declaration slip and being unable to justify your currencies at departure
🔗 Official links and resources
DALIA, Online capital declaration (French customs)
Official French customs service for declaring cash of EUR 10,000 and above before international travel
Office des Changes Morocco, exchange regulations
Official Moroccan Office des Changes regulations on capital movements and currency exchange
ADII, currency declaration at the border
Moroccan Customs and Indirect Taxes Administration: currency declaration rules in Morocco
IGOC 2026, full text (Office des Changes)
Rules for declaring banknotes and bearer instruments on entering and leaving Morocco
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