Selling online legally in Algeria: what Law 18-05 requires

Who Law 18-05 covers

Law 18-05 sets the general rules for electronic commerce in goods and services. It calls the person who sells or supplies remotely by electronic means the "e-supplier", and the person who buys for final use the "e-consumer". It applies whenever one party to the contract is an Algerian national, legally resident in Algeria or a legal entity under Algerian law, or the contract is made or performed in Algeria.

An online shop, selling courses or remote services, or a booking site therefore falls within its scope, whatever the size of the business.

Three conditions before your first sale

1. 1

   Register with the trade register

   As a sole trader or a company, with an activity code covering what you sell. A craftsperson selling their own creations registers with the register of crafts and trades.

2. 2

   Publish a site hosted in Algeria, under .com.dz

   The .dz domain name is registered with the national domain registry run by CERIST (nic.dz). The site must be hosted in Algeria and allow you to be authenticated.

3. 3

   File the domain name with the CNRC

   This filing is a condition for carrying on the activity. It puts you in the national file of online sellers, which buyers can consult online.

What you cannot sell online

• Authenticated deed: an asset whose sale requires a notarial deed, such as real estate, cannot be sold by electronic contract.
• Counterfeits: copied brands, pirated software or content are banned online as elsewhere.
• Regulated products: anything that needs a licence to be sold in a shop also needs it online.

What your site must display

Every transaction must be preceded by an electronic commercial offer, then formalised by an electronic contract confirmed by the e-consumer. Articles 11 and 12 of the law govern this offer, which must be visible, legible and understandable. In practice, display at least:

• Your identity: company or personal name, address, phone, email.
• Your identification numbers: trade register number (or craft card number) and tax identification number (NIF).
• For each product: its description, features and price including all taxes.
• Availability, delivery charges, terms and lead times.
• Payment methods and terms.
• Return, exchange and refund terms, warranty and after-sales service.
• How long the offer is valid and the general terms of sale, including how personal data is handled.

The electronic contract

Before confirming, the buyer must be able to review the order details (products, quantities, price, delivery charges) and correct them. They then expressly confirm the order, which forms the contract. Keep a record of every confirmed order: it protects you in a dispute.

Payment, delivery and invoice

Payment can be made remotely or on delivery. When it is electronic, it goes through dedicated payment platforms (article 27 of the law). In practice, buyers pay with a CIB interbank card or an Algérie Poste Edahabia card, and cash on delivery remains very common.

Each sale gives rise to an invoice handed to the buyer. If the product delivered does not match the order or is defective, the law requires the seller to take it back and provides, as the case may be, for exchange, repair or refund, within time limits it sets. State your returns policy clearly on the site.

Which status to sell online

Where to put your online shop's registered office

An online business selling services or digital content can generally domicile its registered office. As soon as you handle your own stock or a pick-up point, you also need suitable premises, and domiciliation only covers the administrative office. At Neuron Cowork in Dely Brahim, domiciliation costs 6,000 DA per month, with a notarised one-year or two-year contract, ready within 3 days at most on presentation of your ID and birth certificate. Your official mail is received there.

Penalties

Law 18-05 provides for criminal and administrative penalties against e-suppliers who break its rules. Getting compliant before launching always costs less than having to suspend a shop that works.

Opening a compliant online shop, step by step

1. 1

   Choose the status

   Sole trader, EURL, SARL or craftsperson, depending on what you sell and your plans.

2. 2

   Register

   Trade register with the right activity code. For a company: name, articles at the notary and registered office first.

3. 3

   Complete the tax steps

   G n°8 declaration of existence, NIF, then NIS (statistical number).

4. 4

   Book the domain name and hosting

   A .com.dz name and hosting in Algeria.

5. 5

   File the domain name with the CNRC

   To appear in the national file of online sellers.

6. 6

   Write the mandatory pages

   Identity and numbers, general terms of sale, delivery, returns, personal data.

7. 7

   Set up payment and invoicing

   Electronic payment through a dedicated platform or cash on delivery, an invoice for each sale.

Common mistakes

• Selling from a social media page with no trade register entry and no .com.dz site.
• Hosting the site outside Algeria, or using another extension than .com.dz.
• Forgetting to file the domain name with the CNRC after going live.
• Showing prices before tax or without delivery charges.
• Not displaying the trade register number and the NIF.
• Selling a banned or regulated product in the belief that online sales are exempt.