The General Directorate of Commercial Marine Affairs and Ports has instructed shipping agents to promptly correct errors in the shipping documents for imported vehicles, particularly those arriving from China. The aim is to prevent customs-clearance delays and additional costs for citizens.
Instruction No. 267, dated September 30, 2026, and addressed to shipping agents, refers to complaints from citizens who encountered difficulties importing their vehicles. The errors include incorrect information about the vehicles’ intended owners in the accompanying documents. Correcting such details can prolong procedures, leave vehicles in ports for longer and generate extra charges.
The Directorate says that additional costs arising in Algerian ports from delays caused by document corrections must be paid by the party responsible for the error. This may be the carrier, consolidator, shipping agency or unloading agent. All those involved are urged to make corrections quickly so citizens are not charged for costs that are not their responsibility.
The instruction also reminds licensed unloading agents that they may not handle vehicle imports or other goods on their own account unless the relevant consolidator has first authorized them to act in its name and on its behalf. Shipping agents are required to comply with the instruction and Executive Decree No. 20-348 of November 23, 2020, which sets the conditions for carrying out activities ancillary to maritime transport. Administrative measures and penalties may apply in cases of non-compliance, under Article 33 of the decree.
Imported vehicles are checked for conformity at port facilities, temporary storage sites or customs warehouses before clearance. The instruction is part of efforts to organize imports and speed up their processing, alongside plans to digitize and simplify procedures. It takes effect from the date it is notified.