Exporting from Morocco to West Africa: Incoterms explained

Three terms you will see in most quotations

• EXW (Ex Works): the price covers goods at the factory gate. You arrange pickup, export clearance and shipping.
• FOB Casablanca / Tanger Med: the supplier delivers on board the vessel and handles Moroccan export formalities. Freight and insurance are yours.
• CIF Dakar / Abidjan / Lagos: the supplier also pays freight and insurance to the destination port. Import duties remain the buyer’s.

Which one to ask for

First orders are often easier on CIF terms: one price to compare and the supplier’s forwarder already knows the route. Once volumes grow, FOB lets you use your own forwarder and consolidate containers.

Documents to expect

Commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin (EUR.1 or the relevant African agreement form) and, for food products, the ONSSA health certificate.