Setting up an import-export company in Algeria: the 2026 conditions

Import, export, trading: three different businesses

"Import-export" is an everyday phrase, not a legal category. For the trade register, the bank and customs, what matters is what you do with the goods. Importing for resale as is is the most regulated activity. Importing inputs for your own factory, exporting or acting as an intermediary follow other rules.

Importing for resale: the conditions

• A company entered in the trade register under one or more import codes of the activity nomenclature. The number and type of codes that can be combined are restricted: have the corporate purpose approved by the CNRC (National Trade Register Centre) before signing the articles.
• Compliance with the activity's specifications, which the commerce authorities may inspect.
• Storage space suited to the goods, owned or rented, declared and open to inspection. Storage located outside the wilaya (province) of registration is supervised by the commerce authorities.
• Prior bank domiciliation of each import, with a check of financial standing (see below).
• Licences and checks specific to the goods imported: standards, border conformity checks, sector approvals for some product families.

In recent years, importers have also had to file an annual provisional import programme with the commerce authorities; in 2026, filing was done on a digital platform of the ministry in charge of foreign trade. The calendar changes from year to year: ask as soon as you register.

Bank domiciliation and financial standing

In foreign trade, "domiciliation" also means registering an import operation with a bank, which then handles payment to the foreign supplier. Bank domiciliation falls under the Bank of Algeria rules on current transactions with other countries (Regulation 07-01 of 3 February 2007, as amended). It has nothing to do with commercial domiciliation, which concerns the registered office address.

Also be ready to show where the goods are going (customers, distribution network) and to meet the deadlines set by the bank and the commerce authorities. These requirements were tightened in 2026 and may change again.

Foreign partners: the 51/49 rule applies

A company with a foreign partner can therefore import for resale, provided Algerian resident partners hold at least 51% of the capital. For exports, production and services, the capital can in principle be entirely foreign.

Exporting

Exporting also requires registration with the trade register under the relevant activity code. Export earnings fall under the Bank of Algeria's foreign exchange rules and go through your bank, which follows the operation. Some goods are subject to export bans or restrictions that change with circumstances: check your product before signing a contract with a foreign buyer.

Form, capital, office: what to plan

The steps, in order

1. 1

   Define the goods and the activity codes

   List the product families, then find the matching codes in the activity nomenclature published on Sidjilcom (CNRC).

2. 2

   Settle the partners and the form

   If a partner is foreign, plan for at least 51% Algerian resident partners for imports for resale.

3. 3

   Reserve the company name with the CNRC

   Name certificate at 800 DA according to the CNRC fee schedule, valid for 6 months.

4. 4

   Find the warehouse and the office

   Notarised lease for the storage space; office at the same place or domiciled, if the activity allows it.

5. 5

   Sign the articles at the notary

   Corporate purpose matching the target codes, capital set with the accountant, legal notice in the BOAL (official legal notices bulletin).

6. 6

   Register the company

   File with the CNRC with the 4,000 DA tax stamp indicated by the CNRC, then the beneficial owner declaration within the month.

7. 7

   Complete tax and social security steps

   G n°8 declaration of existence and NIF (tax number), NIS (statistical number), manager's registration with CASNOS (self-employed social security fund).

8. 8

   Prepare the bank file

   Bank account, certified opening balance sheet, storage and distribution evidence, provisional import programme if the campaign is open. The first import is domiciled before shipment.

Common mistakes

• Writing an overly broad corporate purpose ("import-export of all goods"): it matches no code and blocks the file.
• Signing a domiciled office contract thinking it will serve as a warehouse.
• Setting high capital to "look serious" without paying it in: the financial standing test turns against you.
• Having goods shipped before the bank's approval: the operation may be blocked.
• Giving a foreign partner more than 49% in an import-for-resale company.
• Forgetting licences specific to some goods (food, cosmetics, equipment subject to standards).