Morocco Bans Used Medical Devices to Boost Safety

Africa · Northern

Morocco has prohibited the import and sale of used medical devices since 2017, a policy shift that closes a once-common trade channel and aligns the kingdom with European quality standards as it pursues universal health coverage and foreign investment.

The 2017 ban that reset the market

Before 2017, Morocco was a notable destination for refurbished medical equipment. Hospitals and clinics, particularly those outside major cities, relied on imported second-hand scanners, radiology machines and surgical tools to stretch limited budgets.

That changed decisively in February 2017, when the government prohibited the import and sale of second-hand or refurbished medical devices and equipment. Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) confirms that “the previously flourishing import of used medical technology has been prohibited” since that year.

The US Government’s Country Commercial Guide for Morocco corroborates the ban, noting it was enacted “to improve equipment quality.” The move effectively eliminated business models built around importing refurbished hospital machines.

What Law 84-12 actually says about used medical devices

Morocco’s framework law on medical devices, Law 84-12, does not ignore used equipment entirely. Article 18 states that devices sold on the market may include used or refurbished equipment, provided their age, classes and ISO requirements are defined by regulation.

Decree 2855-16 further specifies that registration is allowed only for used or refurbished devices appearing on an approved list. Even then, the registration certificate is valid only for the remaining lifetime of the device, not the standard five-year period granted to new equipment.

In practice, these provisions now function as a narrow carve-out. They apply primarily to devices remanufactured to near-new condition or destined for export, rather than for domestic use in Moroccan hospitals.

Registration, documentation and the local partner requirement

Any company wishing to place medical devices on the Moroccan market must register products with AMMPS and obtain a registration certificate. The fee is approximately 1,000 Moroccan dirhams (around $111) per device and 500 dirhams (around $56) per in-vitro diagnostic.

Foreign manufacturers cannot register devices in their own name. They must appoint an authorised Moroccan representative—typically a distributor or regulatory consultant—who holds the registration certificate and manages imports, storage and post-market surveillance.

The local entity must be declared to AMMPS and hold ISO 13485 certification for quality management. Manufacturers must supply CE marking, FDA authorisation or a Free Sale Certificate from the country of origin, along with their own ISO 13485 certification.

When Morocco still permitted used-device imports, exporters faced additional requirements. They had to provide compliance certificates, FDA authorisation, technical documentation, electro-technical and radiological safety certification, and records of previous maintenance.

The money behind the policy: health reform and FDI

Morocco’s ban on used medical devices is not an isolated regulatory decision. It sits within a broader health-sector overhaul backed by significant public spending and international financing.

Health spending accounts for about 7.4% of GDP, and the country is implementing universal health coverage supported by a $450 million Program-for-Results loan from the World Bank, approved in 2023. These reforms aim to replace outdated equipment and raise quality standards across the public system.

In April 2021, the government formally opened the health sector to foreign direct investment and foreign professionals. Investors targeting underserved “medical deserts” are eligible for tax incentives and state aid, making the sector attractive to hospital groups from Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

A prohibition on second-hand equipment aligns with this FDI strategy. Multinational operators expect modern, standards-compliant devices, not heterogeneous fleets of refurbished machines with uncertain maintenance histories.

Great-power currents: EU standards, US-China rivalry and Africa

Morocco’s medical-device regulation is explicitly aligned with the European Union’s former Medical Devices Directive. CE marking is the primary pathway to market access, and medical technology from the EU enters Morocco duty-free under the Euro-Mediterranean Association Agreement.

This alignment reinforces European suppliers’ dominance. Italy, Spain, Switzerland and Germany remain Morocco’s primary sources for medicines and advanced health technology, a pattern the used-device ban helps protect.

At the same time, Morocco’s health sector is increasingly shaped by US-China competition. A 2024 study finds that health has become a focal point for these rivalries, with China’s Belt and Road Initiative seeking to build capacity targeting African markets.

Strict rules requiring FDA authorisation, CE marks and ISO certificates tend to favour US and EU manufacturers. Chinese and other non-Western producers must conform to Western standards to gain access, subtly reinforcing Western regulatory influence over Morocco’s health infrastructure. This dynamic fits the broader pattern explored in our pillar on Africa: The New Scramble.

Donations, customs and the regional hub ambition

Morocco also regulates donated medical devices tightly. Donations must be declared at least 30 days before shipment, and the administration can oppose their introduction with a reasoned decision during that period.

Donated devices must be manufactured to standards equivalent to those in force in Morocco, commercialised in the country of origin, and retain at least 25% of their total shelf life. Packaging must include manufacture date, batch number and expiry date where applicable.

Importers navigate Morocco’s modern customs infrastructure through PortNet, the single-window trade platform, and Diw@nati for clearance and tariff payments. Customs Circular No. 5666-311, issued in April 2017, tightened procedures for devices such as scanners with radiation, requiring registration plus nuclear and radiological safety authorisation.

By cutting off low-quality used imports, Morocco distances itself from patterns seen in some African markets where second-hand equipment is widespread. The kingdom positions itself as a higher-standard regional hub that can export services and products southward, serving African demand from a regulated base.

What the ban means for business and what to watch

For device manufacturers, the message is clear: there is no viable used-equipment play in Morocco. Strategies based on importing refurbished machines have been closed since 2017, and the market now demands new or fully compliant remanufactured equipment.

This raises capital expenditure costs for hospital operators but also raises barriers to low-end competitors. Well-capitalised groups with access to leading manufacturers stand to benefit from a regulatory environment that rewards quality.

The trade-off is real. Patient safety and device reliability improve, but resource-constrained facilities that once relied on refurbished imports face higher costs.

Donors, too, must now provide higher-quality equipment with adequate remaining life, which may affect the volume of aid flowing to Moroccan health facilities.

Looking ahead, watch for how AMMPS enforces the narrow exceptions for remanufactured devices and whether any pressure builds to relax the ban as universal health coverage expands into poorer regions. The 176 declared establishments recorded in April 2026 suggest a maturing regulated market, but the real test will be whether quality gains reach patients across the country.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can used medical devices still be imported into Morocco?

No. Since February 2017, Morocco has prohibited the import and sale of second-hand or refurbished medical devices and equipment. Narrow exceptions exist under Law 84-12 and Decree 2855-16 for devices remanufactured to near-new condition or destined for export, but these do not support a domestic used-equipment market.

What certifications does a foreign manufacturer need to sell medical devices in Morocco?

Foreign manufacturers must provide CE marking, FDA authorisation or a Free Sale Certificate from the country of origin, along with ISO 13485 certification for quality management. They must also appoint a local Moroccan entity to hold the registration certificate and handle imports, storage and post-market surveillance.

Why did Morocco ban used medical devices?

The ban was enacted to improve equipment quality and patient safety as part of a broader health-sector reform. It aligns with Morocco’s pursuit of universal health coverage, its ambition to attract foreign direct investment in healthcare, and its strategy to position itself as a high-standard regional hub for medical services and technology.

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