Importing commercial seed into Morocco: permits, phytosanitary rules and ONSSA

1. The authority: ONSSA

ONSSA (Office National de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits Alimentaires) is Morocco's national plant protection organization. It covers seed and plant control, phytosanitary import and export control, and agricultural inputs such as fertilizers. Its head office is on Avenue Hadj Ahmed Cherkaoui, Agdal, Rabat. Use the contact details on the official ONSSA website.

2. Import permits and seed marketing rules

• Approved importer. Under article 5 of Dahir 1-69-169 (25 July 1969), only establishments approved by ministerial order may market seeds and plants. The approval conditions are set by ministerial decision 353 ONSSA/DCPV/DCSP (16 July 2013). ONSSA publishes the list of approved establishments.
• Registered variety. Arrêté 966-93 (20 April 1993) requires the variety to be on the official catalogue or provisional lists. Limited quantities of new varieties may be imported for trials.
• Certified seed. The same arrêté requires certification under the OECD scheme and EEC standards, or standard category for vegetable species.
• Prior import authorization (API). ONSSA's procedures guide lists a specific authorization request for importing seed, separate from fruit plants, ornamentals and other plant products.

3. Phytosanitary requirements

• Legal basis. Plant protection is governed by Loi 76-17 and Décret 2-22-243 (21 July 2022). Import inspection of plants and plant products is covered by arrêté 593-17 (8 August 2017).
• Border inspection. Consignments are checked at border inspection posts (PIF). Plan for the exporting country's phytosanitary certificate and the conditions stated in the import authorization.
• Pest-specific measures. ONSSA publishes specific measures, for example for ToBRFV (tomato brown rugose fruit virus). This matters for tomato and pepper seed. It also lists suspensions such as ornamental plants from countries affected by Xylella fastidiosa. Check the current notices before each order.

4. Buyer checklist before requesting quotations

1. Confirm the variety's catalogue status in Morocco, or the trial-import route for new varieties.
2. Identify the approved Moroccan importer that will hold the authorization.
3. Specify seed category and certification (OECD), lot size and germination/purity requirements in the RFQ.
4. Ask suppliers which pest-specific declarations they can provide, for example ToBRFV testing for tomato.
5. Plan fertilizer and fertigation inputs alongside the seed. Use the fertilizer calculator, and see fertilizer supply in Morocco (Loi 53-18).

Official sources

• ONSSA — official website (Office National de Sécurité Sanitaire des Produits Alimentaires)
• ONSSA — import of plant material (importation du matériel végétal)
• ONSSA — seed and plant marketing: approvals, catalogue, certification
• ONSSA — seeds and plants regulation (Dahir 1-69-169 and technical regulations)
• ONSSA — phytosanitary control regulation (Loi 76-17 and implementing texts)
• ONSSA — procedures guide incl. prior import authorization for seeds (PDF)
• IPPC — Morocco national plant protection organization contact point

Frequently asked questions