Scam / Hustle Leaving Tangier Med Port
 

I've left Morocco twice through Tangier Med port and both times they've tried to hustle / scam me.

BLUF: There is NO ONE at the port that you need to give money to.

Here's how it goes down and how to avoid it.

When you arrive at the port the first stop (before immigration, etc...) is to confirm your booking (get a boarding pass). There's a big mostly empty parking lot in front of the various ferry companies offices. There will be a bunch of young punks standing around the parking lot trying to guide you in to a spot. Ignore them and park wherever you want.

As you walk to the ferry company offices in front of you (on the left hand side under a large covered area) they will follow you, trying to guide you to the right office, and maybe saying that they are officials working for the company. They may even display some company branded clothes (hats, neck lanyards, etc...). You don't need their help, there's only 6-ish small shacks and they are all well labeled with the ferry company names. Don't be surprised if the punks follow you even if you ignore them.

Give your passport and ticket to the company employee behind the shack window. He'll do some minor stuff with it and print out a boarding pass. Usually at this point instead of passing it back through the window he exits the shack through a side door. Then he'll give back your passport and boarding pass and ask for a confirmation/processing fee (10 Euro seems standard). Ignore him, take your stuff, and walk away back to your vehicle.

The little 'helper' thief will still be following you. Ignore him. He will talk and talk and talk about how you should pay him (10 Euro) for his "help". He will try to engage you in conversation to keep you there. Ignore him, get in/on your vehicle and drive away.

The next stop is the police immigration about 50 meters ahead and everything is fine from there on out. These guys may seem intimidating but they will not hurt you. They are just pests. Ignore them and keep moving.

I can tolerate the hustle from the young parking lot nogoods but not from the adult company employee. So last time through I took his picture will my cell phone, told him he was a small thief, and walked away. Then I mailed the pic to the ferry company with an explanation of the behavior and that I wouldn't be using their company anymore (Inter Shipping - www.intershipping.es). Maybe if enough people do the same the situation will improve.

These guys are sure reaching for the stars on what they expect from travelers who should already be streetwise on their way OUT of Morocco. 10 EURO?! Anywhere else in Morocco they would work 5x harder for a 2 Euro hustle!

Also it's worthwhile searching for "Morocco scams" before your trip to help you avoid the most common situations.

Car park scam is nothing new. The one from the company official isn't one I've encountered , which ferry co was it

I was there about a week ago , had a guy with FRS jacket and ID take tickets to office for me but only cost me 20 dirham , he seemed happy with that . Fairly hassle free entry and exit from Tangier Med .

Gareth

I agree with the Warden - there's no need to pay anything at TangerMed. The touts are chancing their luck and can be ignored. First time I've heard ferry staff in the office trying it on. Do as Bokad did and take a photo. You need to tough it out and stand your ground with these guys. The more folks that pay, the more persistent they'll be.

Went through Ceuta last week for the first time in five years. Crossing into Morocco was the usual wearisome chaos with the usual faces and their usual "official" badges demanding you hand over your papers. However, leaving Morocco was a lot easier and we didn't have to get out of the car.

Don't let this put you off. Morocco's a great country and the vast majority of folks are genuinely friendly and helpful.

Happy trails,

Peter

My golden rule
 

I always have a "golden rule" don't get involved with anyone unless they are behind a desk or similar and hopefully have a uniform. If someone has a desk then that's the person to speak to. It's not 100% fail-safe but it's not let me down yet. Any particularly annoying scammers - turn straight at them look very angry and shake head and "P*** off" Amazing how many countries it works in :rofl: Some of them do get cross :innocent:

It is sad that it happens especially for the "new" traveller it can be quite daunting.

bokad - a good useful post.

I've encountered this as well on my first visit. I just walked away. I tried to be polite but firm; not sure whether I succeeded, it wasn't a great day! :oops2: I'd just been stopped by the local fuzz - not my fault, though! Honest Guv.

Dunno if there is any other country with touts as insistent, unscrupulous and annoying as in Morocco. And I've been to 90+

Last entry into Morocco was Nador. To my surprise it was totally free of any form of hassle, and took perhaps 20 minutes.

Could that be that not many foreigners use that port, and the touts have a target audience, ie not local, look unsure, look to have plenty of money?

Just for the balance, I've been through Tan Med about a dozan times since it opened and never been bothered or had any attempt to rip me off.

It used to be certainty to be bothered at Ceuta and sounds like it still is by Peters post above.

At Ceuta, the touts roam freely within the customs area with the police turning a blind eye. At Tanger Med they're kept outside the controlled zone.

Peter

Thanks for the info, leaving tomorrow for Morocco and will be crossing over via Tangier Med on the 30th April coming back 2 weeks later, will post an update.

I came through tanger med this morning with my landcruiser

Was extremely quick & efficient, no touts to be seen anywhere, absolutely no hassle & was not asked for money / gifts etc by anyone.

Andy

Entering isn't a problem as you're coming through the controlled area. It's exiting at the car park by the ferry offices where the touts hang around.

Happy trails,

Peter

Sorry, I should have said that I was exiting.

Andy

We're planning a short visit to Morocco in late June (~3 nights), riding from Stockholm on our bikes. Not sure if we will enter/exit via Ceuta and/or Tangier Med Port..

After read through various post regarding to/from Morocco... My understanding is; you shall not pay any so called 'service fee/commission' to anyone, not even any 'officials' behind any 'official desk'. In other words; you may bring your vehicle to/from Morroco for free (incl the TVIP 'D16').

So, just to tripple check - am I correct in my understanding?

Cheers, Magnus
MC

ps. very good, useful and entertaining post by bokad, thanx ;-)