# Algeria (DZ)

**Capital:** Algiers  
**Currency:** Algerian Dinar (DZD)  
**Population:** 46,500,000 — Older stored figure; source year not documented.  
**Area:** 2,381,741 km²

> Algeria is the largest country in Africa by area and one of the most important energy exporters of the Mediterranean. Foreign trade is heavily state-regulated: the General Directorate of Customs (Direction Generale des Douanes, DGD) has been progressively migrating clearance from the legacy SIGAD system to the new digital ALCES system since November 2023. Import VAT is generally 19 percent (reduced 9 percent). Imports are subject to a restrictive regime requiring bank domiciliation before shipment and approval by the Ministry of Foreign Trade; in 2025 an Algerian Import Authority and an Export Authority were created. Sea transport dominates through the ports of Algiers (around 60 percent of container traffic), Skikda, Arzew, Bejaia, Oran and Djen Djen, while air freight runs through Algiers Houari Boumediene Airport (ALG). Around 95 percent of exports are hydrocarbons (natural gas, crude oil, LNG, LPG). The land border with Morocco has been closed since 1994.

Algeria (DZ) is the largest country in Africa by area and a key energy and trade partner of the Mediterranean, located between Europe and sub-Saharan Africa with a long Mediterranean coast in the north and the vast Sahara in the south. Foreign trade is heavily state-regulated and dominated by hydrocarbons, which account for around 95 percent of exports (natural gas, crude oil, LNG and LPG, marketed through the state company Sonatrach). The competent customs body is the General Directorate of Customs (Direction Generale des Douanes, DGD), which has been progressively migrating clearance from the legacy SIGAD system to the new digital ALCES system since November 2023; import VAT is generally 19 percent (reduced 9 percent). Imports are subject to one of the most restrictive regimes in the region: a bank domiciliation must be in place before the goods are shipped, approval from the Ministry of Foreign Trade is required, and import forecast programmes apply at times. In 2025 an Algerian Import Authority and an Export Authority were created by decree, and since 1 January 2026 standalone service imports require prior authorization. In logistics terms sea transport dominates through the ports of Algiers (around 60 percent of container traffic), Skikda, Arzew, Bejaia, Oran, Djen Djen, Mostaganem and Annaba, while air freight runs through Algiers Houari Boumediene Airport (ALG), which handles more than 80 percent of air cargo. Inland, the East-West Highway and the Trans-Sahara Highway link the coast with the hinterland and towards Niger and Mali; the SNTF rail network is concentrated in the north. Algeria is not a WTO member but maintains an EU Association Agreement (Euro-Med, in force since 2005) and is a member of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) and a party to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). The land border with Morocco has been closed since 1994. The national currency is the Algerian Dinar (DZD).

**Top Import Partners:** China, Frankreich, Italien, Deutschland, Spanien

**Top Export Partners:** Italien, Spanien, Frankreich, China, Niederlande

**Top Import Goods:** Machinery, Electronics, Vehicles, Food, Pharmaceuticals

**Top Export Goods:** Natural gas, Crude oil, Petroleum products, Liquefied gas LPG/LNG

**Key Airports:**
- [Houari Boumediene Airport (ALG)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/houari-boumediene-airport-alg)
- [Abdelhafid Boussouf Bou Chekif Airport (TID)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/abdelhafid-boussouf-bou-chekif-airport-tid)
- [Aguenar – Hadj Bey Akhamok Airport (TMR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/aguenar-hadj-bey-akhamok-airport-tmr)
- [Ain Arnat Airport (QSF)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/ain-arnat-airport-qsf)
- [Ain Beida Airport (OGX)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/ain-beida-airport-ogx)
- [Amguid Regional Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/amguid-regional-airport-14295)
- [Annaba Rabah Bitat Airport (AAE)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/annaba-rabah-bitat-airport-aae)
- [Batna Mostefa Ben Boulaid Airport (BLJ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/batna-mostefa-ben-boulaid-airport-blj)
- [Biskra - Mohamed Khider Airport (BSK)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/biskra-mohamed-khider-airport-bsk)
- [Blida Airport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/blida-airport-daab)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** 19 percent (standard rate)  
**Customs complexity:** High  
**Customs system:** ALCES (new digital customs system), gradually introduced since November 2023; replaces the legacy system SIGAD. Imports require bank domiciliation and approval from the Ministry of Foreign Trade.  
**Customs authority:** [General Directorate of Customs (Direction Générale des Douanes, DGD)](https://www.douane.gov.dz)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Energy exporter and North African port and import market  
**Economic area:** GAFTA; EU Association Agreement (Euro-Med); AfCFTA; not a WTO member  
**Logistics risk:** medium to high  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** high  
**Pharma/cold chain:** medium

## FAQ

### Which authority is responsible for customs in Algeria and which system is used?

The General Directorate of Customs (Direction Générale des Douanes, DGD) is responsible. Since November 2023, it has been gradually switching its clearance from the legacy system SIGAD to the new digital system ALCES. Declarations are usually submitted through approved customs agents.

### What is the import tax (VAT) in Algeria?

The standard VAT rate is 19 percent, and the reduced rate is 9 percent (including for basic foodstuffs, among others). Import tax is levied at customs on the basis of CIF value plus customs duty.

### What is bank domiciliation and why is it important for imports?

Importers must complete a domiciliation procedure with an Algerian bank before the goods are shipped, and must first obtain approval from the Ministry of Foreign Trade. Without completed domiciliation, payment and customs clearance are not possible; in some cases, an account coverage well above the import value is required.

### Is Algeria a member of the WTO or the EU?

Algeria is not a WTO member; its accession process has been ongoing since 1987. An Association Agreement with the EU has been in place since 2005 (Euro-Med). Algeria is also a member of the Greater Arab Free Trade Area (GAFTA) and a State Party to the AfCFTA.

### Which ports and airports are most important in Algeria?

The most important port is Algiers, handling about 60 percent of container traffic, followed by Skikda, Arzew (oil and LNG), Bejaia, Oran and Djen Djen. In air cargo, Algiers Houari Boumediene Airport (ALG) leads, handling more than 80 percent of air cargo volume.

### Which documents do I need for importing into Algeria?

Commonly required are the commercial invoice, packing list, customs declaration (ALCES or SIGAD), a transport document (B/L, AWB or CMR) and proof of domiciliation. For preferential treatment, a certificate of origin such as EUR.1 is also needed; for controlled goods, an import authorization is required.

### Is the border with Morocco open?

No. The land border with Morocco, about 1400 km long, has been closed since 1994. Trade between the two countries therefore does not take place over the direct land route, but via sea and air connections.

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://www.douane.gov.dz](https://www.douane.gov.dz)
- [https://www.mf.gov.dz](https://www.mf.gov.dz)
- [https://www.wto.org](https://www.wto.org)
- [https://www.douane.gov.dz/spip.php?article215](https://www.douane.gov.dz/spip.php?article215)
- [https://www.douane.gov.dz/IMG/pdf/code_des_taxes_sur_le_chiffre_d_affaire.pdf](https://www.douane.gov.dz/IMG/pdf/code_des_taxes_sur_le_chiffre_d_affaire.pdf)
- [https://www.mf.gov.dz/index.php/fr/grands-dossiers/2210-modernisation-des-services-de-la-direction-generale-des-douanes](https://www.mf.gov.dz/index.php/fr/grands-dossiers/2210-modernisation-des-services-de-la-direction-generale-des-douanes)
- [https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/acc_e/a1_algerie_e.htm](https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/acc_e/a1_algerie_e.htm)
- [https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/algeria_en](https://policy.trade.ec.europa.eu/eu-trade-relationships-country-and-region/countries-and-regions/algeria_en)

*Last verified: 2026-07-23*

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*Freight Academy — Country Profile: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/dz](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/dz)*

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