Western Sahara: sanctions and trade risk

No elevated indicator

As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 0 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Western Sahara.Lists last checked 2026-11-07 21:01 UTC.

Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓

No elevated country indicator for Western Sahara in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Western Sahara may still be on a list.

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On the sanctions lists

No entry on the 7 lists Sanctioni screens names Western Sahara.

Latest changes

No new listings or removals naming Western Sahara recorded yet.

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Logistics profile

Western Sahara: logistics and trade

Raw material exports (phosphate, fish) under Moroccan administration; disputed territory

Western Sahara (ISO code: EH) is located in Northwest Africa on the Atlantic coast and borders Morocco, Algeria, and Mauritania. Politically, the area is considered a disputed territory under international law, largely controlled by Morocco, while the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic has international recognition from certain states. The climate is arid to extremely dry with very low precipitation and high temperatures. Economically, the region is weakly diversified and heavily influenced by natural resources such as phosphate and fishing. The economic-logistical significance primarily arises from raw material exports through Atlantic ports and connections to Moroccan infrastructure. In foreign trade, Western Sahara plays a minor role and is strongly integrated into Morocco's trade structures. Dependency on imports is high, especially for food, consumer goods, fuels, and industrial inputs. There is hardly any independent transit function, as the area does not take on a central hub role in regional trade. The Moroccan Dirham (MAD) is predominantly used as the currency.

Capital: El Aaiún
Population: 590,506
Area: 266,000 km²
Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD)
Continent: Africa
Region: North Africa / Maghreb
Economic area: De facto Moroccan customs area (disputed territory under international law)
Religions: Islam
Access to the sea: Yes

Transport modes Sea · Road · Air

Current situation: Status 2026-07: expansion of the Atlantic ports (Dakhla Atlantic Port, opening around 2029) and the N1 expressway Tiznit-Dakhla (2024) strengthen links to West Africa. Phosphate via 102 km conveyor belt Bou Craa - Laâyoune.
Seasonal conditions: Arid desert climate with extreme heat, sandstorms and coastal fog; these can temporarily affect handling and road transport.

Main seaports

Laayoune
Laayoune/El Marsa (MA EUN) in Western Sahara ships Bou Craa phosphate and lands large pelagic catches; not a container port. Alternatives: Agadir, Dakhla.
Ad Dakhla
Ad Dakhla (EH VIC), major Western Sahara fishing port: pelagics, octopus, limited cargo. New Dakhla Atlantic Port due 2028; alternative Agadir.

Main cargo airports

Hassan I AirportEUN
Hassan I (EUN), Laayoune: Western Sahara's largest airport, 190,416 passengers Jan-Jul 2026. Customs area but belly cargo only — volume via Casablanca (CMN).
Dakhla AirportVIL
Dakhla (VIL): passenger and charter airport in Western Sahara, belly freight only. Included in Morocco's Aéroports 2030 upgrade. Volume cargo via Casablanca (CMN).

Road corridors

N1 Tiznit - Laâyoune - Dakhla - Guerguerat (expressway, 2024)
Guerguerat border crossing to Mauritania

Main trade lanes

Laâyoune -> Europe (phosphate and fertilizer)
Western Sahara -> West Africa via Guerguerat
Imports from Morocco and Spain

Customs and import

Customs authority Administration des Douanes et Impôts Indirects (ADII) - Moroccan customs administration (de facto)Official website ↗

Import customs system: De facto clearance through the Moroccan customs administration ADII using the BADR system (Base Automatisée des Douanes en Réseau) and the PortNet single window.
Export customs system: Exports also via ADII (BADR) and PortNet. Phosphate and fish exports run through the Atlantic ports of Laâyoune and Dakhla.
Import VAT: Import TVA 20 percent (Moroccan standard rate), levied by ADII on CIF value plus customs duty.
Proofs of origin and trade agreements: EU preferences under the EU-Morocco agreement do not automatically apply to Western Sahara goods according to the CJEU ruling of 4.10.2024; these must be separately marked as originating in Western Sahara.
Restricted and prohibited goods: Moroccan import bans and restrictions (weapons, drugs, certain agricultural and used goods, CITES species). Additionally, political sensitivity for raw materials from the disputed territory.

Typical import documents

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Transport document (B/L, AWB, CMR)
DUM (Déclaration Unique de Marchandises)
Certificate of origin

Typical export documents

DUM (Déclaration Unique de Marchandises)
Commercial invoice
Packing list
Transport document (B/L, AWB)
Certificate of origin

Logistics conditions

Customs complexity: Medium to high
Customs delays: Medium to high
Dangerous goods relevance: Low
Pharma and cold chain relevance: Low
E-commerce relevance: Low

Trade

Top import partners

Morocco Spain

Top export partners

Morocco Spain

Top import goods

Food
Fuels
Consumer goods
Building materials

Top export goods

Phosphates
Fish

Typical cargo

Raw phosphate
Fish and fishmeal
Sand
Tomatoes and melons
Food and consumer goods imports
Fuels
Building materials

Logistics questions

Which authority is responsible for customs in Western Sahara?

In the territory largely administered by Morocco, customs clearance is de facto handled by the Moroccan customs administration Administration des Douanes et Impôts Indirects (ADII). The system BADR and the PortNet single window are used.

What is the import tax (TVA) rate for shipments to Western Sahara?

In fact, the Moroccan standard VAT rate of 20 percent applies. Import TVA is levied by ADII on the CIF value plus customs duty; reduced rates apply to certain product groups.

Do the EU-Morocco free trade agreements apply to goods from Western Sahara?

No, not automatically. On 4 October 2024, the European Court of Justice confirmed that the EU-Morocco agreements may not be applied to Western Sahara without the consent of the Saharawi people. Goods from there must be separately marked as originating in Western Sahara.

Which ports are most important for Western Sahara?

The most important port is Laâyoune (El Aaiún), with the phosphate terminal, followed by Dakhla and Boujdour. The new Dakhla Atlantic Port is also being built in Dakhla; its opening is expected around 2029, and it is planned as a hub towards West Africa.

How is phosphate transported from Western Sahara?

The phosphate is mined at Bou Craa and transported over a conveyor belt of about 102 km, one of the longest in the world, to the port of Laâyoune, from where it is exported by ship. The operator is Phosboucraa, a subsidiary of the Moroccan OCP Group.

Is there a land route from Western Sahara to West Africa?

Yes. The N1 expressway (Tiznit-Laâyoune-Dakhla) leads to the Guerguerat border crossing, the only land access to Mauritania and onward to sub-Saharan West Africa. The crossing lies in a UN-monitored buffer zone.

What risks should be considered for transport to Western Sahara?

The territory is disputed under international law; since the end of the 2020 ceasefire, there have been sporadic tensions along the Berm (sand wall) line. For EU importers, there are also labelling, legal and reputational risks arising from CJEU case law.

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