Dirham Payment Refusal Sparks Controversy in Moroccan Airport Duty-Free Zones
Casablanca, Morocco – A growing dispute over payment methods in Moroccan airport duty-free shops is raising concerns about legal and economic inconsistencies within the nation’s financial system. While some merchants at Marrakech-Ménara Airport accept Moroccan Dirham payment cards, traders at other airports, notably Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, are reportedly refusing Dirham-based transactions, favoring cash payments.
the issue stems from a classification of transactions within airport boarding areas as foreign currency exchanges – specifically, Euro - prompting banks to levy additional exchange and conversion fees on customers. This practise reduces transaction openness and increases costs for consumers.Affected individuals argue that duty-free areas, though exempt from value-added tax, remain within Morocco’s borders and should thus adhere to national laws mandating acceptance of the Dirham for domestic transactions. They contend the refusal to accept the national currency contradicts fundamental principles of the Moroccan financial system.
consumers are now calling on Bank Al-maghrib (BAM) and the Competition Council to intervene and address the discrepancies in payment acceptance policies across moroccan airports.Related reports detail similar concerns regarding surcharges on Moroccan products sold abroad, such as pastries on Ryanair flights, and scrutiny of customs practices related to tax-exempt items.
