Transportation & logistics for international shoots in Morocco
How to move gear smoothly with ATA Carnets front and center
Morocco has the look: Atlantic coast, High Atlas, Sahara, historic medinas, and modern cities within a day’s reach. The part that often feels less cinematic? Getting your kit in and out without delays, duties, or surprise paperwork. Here’s a straightforward, production-tested guide to moving film and photo equipment into Moroccoâleaning on the ATA Carnet as your default pathâand what changes when your shipment becomes big.
The fast lane: ATA Carnet for most productions
For the vast majority of international shoots (commercials, branded content, feature/series units, stills, and documentary teams), the ATA Carnet is the standard, friction-free solution for temporarily importing professional equipment into Morocco without paying customs duties or VAT.
What it does:
- Treat it as a “passport for gear.” Customs stamps it on entry and exit.
- Covers temporary imports only; you must re-export the same items in the same condition within the carnet’s validity.
- Ideal for cameras, lenses, bodies, monitors, grip, lighting, sound, specialist rigs, and most accessories.
What it doesn’t do:
- Consumables (e.g., gels you’ll use up, expendables, give-aways) are typically not covered.
- Items to be left behind (donations, props that remain and more expensive to ship back than keep on location, …) are not covered; those require a regular import with duties/taxes or a separate customs procedure.
- Restricted items (notably some drones, RF gear, or intercom) may need additional permits even if listed on an ATA carnet.
How to prep your carnet pack
- Gear list with serials:Â Every item you can serialize, do it. For items without a factory serial, create a discreet asset tag and keep it consistent.
- Fair values:Â Use realistic declared values from invoices or the current market replacement value. Avoid under-valuing.
- Photographic evidence:Â Quick photos of high-value/unique items help if a serial is hard to find during inspection (for example when it’s only visible in software).
- Multiple carnets if splitting units:Â You cannot split one carnet across different border points or crossing times. If your crew or shipments arrive separately, you’ll need a separate carnet for each unit to avoid problems at both sides of the border.
- Name your custodian: Assign a designated person to travel with the gear who can present it at customs, answer questions, and obtain the necessary stamps on both entry and exit. If the ATA Carnet is issued in the name of a company, a mandate letter stamped and signed authorizing your crew member to use the carnet on the companyâs behalf may be required both in Morocco and abroad. While this document is rarely requested, it is best to have it prepared in advance to avoid any surprises.
At the airport
Casablanca (CMN) and Marrakech (RAK) are the most common points of entry by airplane. Build in time to visit the “Goods to Declare” channel. The customs officer will check the carnet, may visually inspect a subset of items, and stamp the entry voucher/counterfoil. On exit, you must present the same carnet for the exit stamp to close the loop.
The customs at these airports are 24/7 available to process ATA carnets. In some other less busy airports this might be different matter.
Declare the ATA Carnet at the first exit point of customs.
If you are on transfer flights where your luggage is automatically checked through, you should make the declaration with customs at the last customs point just before entering Morocco.
If you are traveling on different airlines and your luggage is not checked through, then you must declare your equipment at the first point of entry into Morocco.
Pro tip: Keep the carnet with the gear and person handling this luggage, not with a different traveler.
When shipments get big
If your footprint escalatesâthink containers of grip/lighting, heavy power, stages, scaffolding, or vehicle-mounted rigsâplan on additional procedures, especially via Moroccan seaports like Tangier Med, Tanger Ville or Casablanca.
Here’s what usually changes:
- A customs broker/freight forwarder becomes essential.
- They pre-lodge entries, coordinate inspections, and manage port handling formalities you won’t encounter at an airport.
- Even with an ATA Carnet, they’ll align the carnet with the Bill of Lading, packing list, and manifest data. Discrepancies cause delays.
- Temporary Admission (beyond the carnet)Â may apply if any items fall outside the carnet scope, or if shipments mix carnet and non-carnet goods.
- Expect extra documents: commercial invoice (temporary/”no sale” value), packing list, letter of undertaking (re-export commitment), insurance, and your Moroccan filming authorization details.
- In case your production falls into this category, we strongly recommend discussing your transportation needs well in advance with your local Moroccan production company, who can advise you on what applies. These procedures take time, and to avoid being held up for several days at either Moroccan or foreign portsâand since they involve multiple stakeholders across several countriesâit is best to open these discussions early in the pre-production process.
Longer lead times & inspections
- Sea freight faces port storage rules, potential X-ray/physical inspection, and stricter alignment of counts/weights. Label cases clearly and match them to your packing list line-by-line.
- Plan for buffer days on both arrival and re-export to avoid demurrage.
Special categories: what to flag early
- Drones & aerials: Morocco welcomes aerial filming but requires specific authorization. Clear this with your fixer/producer before you list the drone on a carnet, and carry the drone permit alongside the carnet. For shortterm shoots our advice is to rent the drone locally in Morocco.
- RF/wireless, satellite uplinks: Some radios and transmitters require frequency clearance. Be sure to share the exact model numbers with your local production partner as early as possible. This requirement may also apply to devices that operate using LumenRadio, WiFi, 5/6Ghz bands, DECT communication, or similar technologiesâso more equipment can fall into this category than you might initially expect. In practice, this is not always an issue if the item is listed on the ATA Carnet. Customs is known to be relatively flexible and understanding with film productions traveling under an ATA Carnet and holding a valid film permit, since the equipment will leave the country once the production is completed. Nevertheless, we advise reviewing your full equipment list together with your local production company to ensure nothing is overlooked.
- Vehicles: Picture cars and specialized vehicles may require separate temporary import documents and insurance, so be sure to flag these early to your customs broker. Special procedures may also apply if vehicles are to be used as crash cars in special effects sequences. In such extreme cases, the vehicle would need to be imported under exempt vehicle importation procedures, since normally vehicles older than five years cannot be definitively imported into Morocco. To secure this exemption, a prior discussion with customs is essential, explaining the productionâs needs so that a special waiver can be issued at a higher customs levelâbypassing the standard regulations that would otherwise apply.
Airports vs ports vs land crossings
- Airports (CMN, RAK, TNG, RBA, AGA, OZZ):Â Fastest for carnet use; ideal for crew-accompanied gear and airfreight pallets.
- Seaports (Tangier Med, Casablanca):Â Best for heavy or oversize loads; expect broker coordination, terminal fees, and stricter process.
- Land crossings (Ceuta, Melilla):
Possible under an ATA Carnet or temporary admission, but not commonly used by international film productions. These borders often involve long waits, and for freight arriving by ferry in Spain, additional procedures may still apply before reaching Moroccan customs. Always coordinate closely with your broker or local production partner if considering this route.
What you need at customs
To enter Morocco smoothly, two documents matter most:
- A valid ATA Carnet (matching your complete equipment list).
- A valid – film or photo permit.
For standard gear, this combination is sufficient. Extra paperwork is only required for restricted items like drones, RF gear, vehicles, or large seaport freight.
Timeline planning for the ATA carnet
4â6 weeks out
- Finalize gear list, confirm restricted items (drones/RF), and choose air vs sea.
- Appoint a freight forwarder/broker if using ports or complex air cargo.
- Begin the ATA Carnet application with your national issuing body.
2â3 weeks out
- Lock serials and values; freeze the packing list.
- Share full docs with your broker and Moroccan producer (permits, schedule, contacts).
Travel week
- Print your carnet pack (original + copies), carry digital scans.
- Brief the carnet custodian(s). Confirm arrival routing and the path of “Goods to Declare”.
On exit
- Schedule time for the exit stamp. Don’t let the carnet leave before the gear reaches customs.
- Keep proof of re-export for your files.
Common pitfalls (and how to avoid them)
- Missing exit stamp â Always plan customs time on your wrap day.
- Mismatched serials â Standardize a serial-capturing habit during prep (photos help).
- Packing list drift â Freeze the list before printing the carnet; any swaps must be updated everywhere.
- Having your drone listed on the ATA carnet is not enough, you need a temporary importation permit from the Moroccan customs at a national level – that’s a seperate precedure that takes times (often more than 40 days).
- Mixing consumables under the carnet â Avoid including consumables on the ATA Carnet. Instead, separate them and, if needed, bring them in through a standard import process with your broker or purchase them locally. For a small and reasonable travellerâs amount, this is generally not necessary in practice.
- Under-communicating with your broker â Share schedule changes instantly.
Need a second set of eyes?
We regularly plan Morocco inbounds for productions of all sizesâfrom lean doc crews to multi-container shoots. If you’d like us to audit your gear list for carnet readiness, advise on drone/RF clearances, or coordinate a broker for a port move, drop us a line. We’ll map the most straightforward, compliant route for your schedule and budgetâand keep your shoot focused on the frame, not the paperwork.
For more information or assistance with your application, contact us today.
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