Is there duty-free shopping in Morocco?

There is duty-free at all the main international gateways — Mohammed V in Casablanca has the largest selection, with Marrakech-Menara, Fes-Saïss and Tangier offering smaller but functional shops. You will find the usual international line-up: spirits, wines, perfumes, cosmetics, branded chocolate and confectionery, sunglasses and a rack of "Moroccan" gift items like argan oil, spices and amlou.

Set your expectations honestly, though. Moroccan airport duty-free is decent but not a bargain mecca — prices on international spirits and perfume are roughly in line with airports elsewhere, sometimes a touch higher, and the range is narrower than a major European hub. It is convenient if you forgot a bottle for the duty-free allowance into your next country, or want a tidy boxed gift, but it is not a reason to delay your shopping.

The trap I steer guests away from is buying their argan oil, saffron, spices, leather or ceramics at the airport. The airport versions are marked up, the quantities are small, and the quality is unremarkable compared with what you will find — and can haggle for — in the souks of Marrakech or Fes. A litre of cooperative argan oil bought in the medina is fresher, cheaper and far more memorable than a tiny airport bottle.

So use airport duty-free for what it is good at: a last sealed bottle of spirits within allowance, perfume, or a quick boxed treat between flights. Do your real Moroccan shopping in the souks. And remember duty-free purchases still count toward the duty-free allowance of your destination country, so check those limits before you load up.