OK, here's the update on Al (Kruzzin5) & his plans to ship his motorcycle:

I spoke with Al on the telephone tonight (he only lives a few miles away from me, north of Toronto) and we discussed the logistics of his plans.

To successfully import the motorcycle to Morocco via shipping it by Air Canada to CMN (Casablanca airport), Al needs three things:

1) Appropriately stamped passport with Moroccan police number in it - he'll get that when he goes through regular passenger processing at CMN;

2) Proof of ownership of the motorycycle - he has that, it's the same document I have used several times when I have entered Morocco at Tanger Med, and;

3) Proof of insurance valid in Morocco.

It's arguable that he might not need proof of insurance to simply clear the moto out of customs (strictly speaking, the customs officials are not responsible for road traffic law enforcement), but he'll need insurance to ride the motorcycle out of the airport area, and it is likely that there is no booth selling insurance for foreign vehicles at the airport.

That means that he needs to get the insurance document ahead of time, and have it in his hand before he leaves Canada, so he can show it to the Customs officials (if they ask for it) when he goes to clear the motorcycle out of customs.

In theory, it should be easy to get the insurance ahead of time. He's not travelling until the end of May, so, he has lots of time. What I think he needs to do is communicate with an insurance company that insures foreign tourists visiting Morocco with their vehicles, and arrange and pay for his insurance ahead of time, with an effective date the same date as his planned arrival in Morocco, then have the insurance company mail the policy document to him in Canada.

To do this, he needs to know what company to contact. If I had not thrown out my Moroccan insurance document when I got home last week, I could have given him the information from my document. But, I threw it out.

Does anyone out there have a current (or recently issued, within the last 6 months) Moroccan insurance document handy? If so, would you please post the contact details for the insurance company (not the agent at the port who sold the policy) here on this thread, so Al can get the insurance process underway?

We discussed the possibility of shipping the motorcycle into Lisbon instead, and riding down to Morocco, but economically, that makes no sense. Even in a worst-case situation, if Al can't get insurance ahead of time and has to hire a grand taxi to take him to and from Tanger Med port to buy insurance, that will be cheaper than the costs associated with flying into Lisbon and riding down to Algeciras and taking the ferry to Morocco.

Spain is out of consideration, because the Spanish have advised Air Canada that they won't accept motorcycle shipments by air freight unless the motorcycle is crated. It's a dumb requirement, but each country has the right to impose their own rules on air freight.

Al plans on riding up to Ireland after touring Morocco, and then shipping the bike back to Canada. I have suggested that he get in touch with Dooby to arrange European insurance coverage for when he leaves Morocco - this because I don't know if there are vendors at the Algeciras port who sell insurance policies for out-of-Europe vehicles. There probably are, but what their hours are, what they charge, and how competent they are I do not know.

So, does anyone have the contact details for a Moroccan insurance company handy?

Michael

Great discussing Morocco and shipping with you Michael...THANK YOU!!!

This forum is such a wealth of information especially for 1st timers like me. Unfortunately, there is no "playbook" on what steps to take etc. So, one must seek the help of others and share information as it is found. So, let me pass this lead on to all of you....I was referred to a local business in Casa that offers M/C insurance for Morocco and Green Card for Europe. They can send within 10 business days, BUT, allow 30 days just in case of delays etc. I just sent them an email to clarify that they provide insurance for Morocco as rates were not listed. For Europe, the price is 120 euros for 90 days. They also run a B&B are highly rated on Trip Advisor. Name below.

Stara Elena Biker B&B Granitovo
https://staraelena.weebly.com/
staraelenabnb@gmail.com


I spoke with Motorcycle Express as well. They are out of South Carolina with a Quebec connection. Pricing is in U.S. $$. They DO NOT fly into Morocco. Lisbon or Barcelona were the closest ports and 1 way is $1350 U.S with Air Transat. They look after everything including DGC, customs paperwork etc. They can also arrange for a green card. They then refer you to a travel agency in Quebec (Canadian $$) for your flight. In my case, it was $714 one way to Lisbon. I asked Motorcycle Express if they had a rep at the airport if something goes wrong claiming the bike. They confirmed that someone is available if there are problems. He also confirmed that I CAN send my clothes with the bike. A lot more money that A/C but, it is supposed to be a hassle free experience.

I am leaning the A/C route for cost/time. Hoping I can get an email confirmation from Stara Elena on bike insurance OR, as Michael suggested someone else in Casa.

I will keep everyone updated as to my progress. Or lack thereof. lol

Thanks for all your help and suggestions!!!
Al

WOW, very well explained!!!
Thanks Michael!!!

That would be awesome! i'll let you know how things progress.

Thanks,

So a TVIP is issued over the counter at Casa airport?
Along with the CIN, I would have thought this is the key thing when you leave the country.

No reason why it couldn't be issued if Casa Customs computers are connected nationwide.
But from my experience officials' responsibilities are so often territorial in heavily bureaucratic countries: 'Oh we can't do that here. You have to go to x y z'.


Stara Elena is in Bulgaria, no?
But if they can offer Morocco and Europe insurance, great.

Just a note following a traveller I was helpings problems recently. Somehow they ended up in Marrakech with no insurance, it proved impossible for them to get insurance for a foreign vehicle in Marrakech despite having the contact details for the Moroccan company that provides this.

They eventually managed to get some in Zagora. It seems that insurance for foreign vehicles is much easier to obtain at the ports than anywhere else. Penalties for not having insurance are pretty severe if you get caught

(PS for info and support in Ireland get in touch with the lads a Donegal Overlanders on Facebook, great group, very friendly and love to meet foreign travellers)

Here's the Moroccan insurance certificate from my last trip entering via Tanger Med port.
In the past I've also bought temporary motor insurance from Wafa Assurance in Meknes. the have branches nationwide. https://www.wafaassurance.ma/fr

Good luck,

Peter

__________________
Atlas Overland - Specialist adventure tour company providing off-road holidays for 4x4 enthusiasts in Europe and North Africa.
Tours to Morocco, Iceland, Arctic Circle, Portugal, Alps, Pyrenees, Eastern Europe, Corsica, and UK weekend tours.

Good to know that you can now ship your gear with your bike.

From my point of view the added value of Motorcycle Express is that you can ship anytime of the year. I tried shipping with Air Canada outside the May-September window. I was quoted 4400$. If that time window fits your needs, then yes, that is the cheapest option.

If someone wants to enjoy cooler temperature in the desert, they can leave in March/ beginning of April for a slightly higher shipping cost with Motorcycle Express.

Patrick

Hi Chris:

Likely not at the passenger terminal (what I think of when I read "over the counter"), but almost certainly at the customs office in the freight area of the airport.

The customs officers who work in freight terminals (worldwide, not just Morocco) generally have a far more diverse range of experience than the officers who work at border crossings that cater to individual travellers.

Tanger Med might be an exception to the above, because in addition to being a border crossing for individual travellers, it's also a major freight terminal. My guess is that the customs guys get rotated around, doing vehicles with travellers for a while, then doing containers and car carriers for a while, then doing bulk freighters, etc.

Michael

Hi Michael,

thanks for recommendation, much appreciated.

We're able to issue coverage for Canadian motorcycle/car/expedition truck and send it to desired address anywhere in world.
For sure hard copy will be needed to get the bike from the customs as fastest as possible as not to allow customs to charge the warehouse fees outside of free time window.

Either PM me or send us an email:

borderinsurance@lobagola.com

One of our clients air freighted from Casablanca last year, he used Aviva.

We're working on providing coverage for northern African countries for some time now, hopefully we will have a solution asap.

Cheers
Dooby

Al:

Here's the website for a company that underwrites insurance in Morocco - this is the same company who issued the Moroccan insurance certificate Peter posted an image of in post #22, above, and the same company that I bought my border insurance from at Tanger Med earlier this year.

Compagnie d'Assurance Transport - Casablanca

Probably best if you wrote them and explained your need, rather than phoned them.

They do publish a list of all the agents in the country who sell insurance on their behalf - that list is here, and I note that they have many agents in Casablanca. You might want to ask them if you can buy the 'frontier' insurance (insurance for visitors to Morocco) from one of their Casablanca agents, or, if they know of an agent that has an office at or close to Casablanca airport. You can then contact that agent and confirm that you can buy the frontier insurance from them upon arrival. (Probably best to have Euros in your pocket to pay for it, or to go to a Moroccan ATM and suck out some Dinars first. You can't buy Dinars outside of Morocco, it is a controlled currency. Moroccan ATMs will give out a maximum of 2,000 dinars per transaction).

Lastly, here is a link to their current price list: Our Products. Motorcycles fall into the first category, 'Conduite intérieure'. 30 days' coverage costs 950 MAD, which is about CAD $130, USD $100, GBP ₤76, or €88 as of today (March 2019).

Michael

Michael

Thanks I will follow up.

That's fantastic! Thanks for the copy, I will follow up for a quote.

Thanks,
Al

Great! I will be sending a request for quote now.


I did get a reply from Stara Elena in Casa re: Motorcycle insurance for Morocco. They only sell green cards for Europe. I asked if they knew anyone/anyplace in Casa for insurance, they did not. Too bad.

However, I did get a lead on FB about the Harley dealer in Casa who may provide insurance. I sent them an email yesterday and got a reply today suggesting they will try to help. We'll see.

I also got a lead for Allianz Insurance. The Canadian office doesn't carry this type of insurance as different countries carry different products. So, I would have to get it in Morocco.

The hunt for insurance continues .....

I would say Michael's tip about CAT is by far your best bet, even if you can't get it until you're there.
They are the company designated to sell short-term insurance to all foreigners at ports.
Once you find an office, it should take 10 mins showing your bike ownership docs.
950 MAD is the regular port price for a month and has been the same for years.