Distributing a product

Evolution of the sector

The distribution market has, for a long time, been the domain of public companies. But, for the last few years, thanks to a wave of privatization, foreign - and especially French - companies have been taking an interest in the Algerian market.

Market shares

Algeria has a well developed distribution system which is shared between public and private companies. State firms sell mainly basic foodstuffs, pharmaceutical products and imported industrial material. The majority of distributors are private companies, especially in the equipment sector. As it were, in spite of the presence of public companies, the retail trade is exclusively controlled by private shopkeepers.
The Blanky group dominates the foodstuffs sector. It has taken over the stores which were previously managed by the State firm "les galeries algériennes". The Promy group is also a large one, and offers various types of products: textiles, electrical appliances, foodstuffs of which 75% are produced in Algeria. Alongside them, there is a multitude of small retail outlets. For example, Danone products (40% market share for fresh dairy products) are sold above all in small local shops.
The UGCAA (General Union of Algerian Shopkeepers and Craftsmen) encourages foreign distributors to set up in Algeria, as, in its opinion, this would reduce the weight of unofficial trade; this is thought to have represented 35% of commercial activity in 2004 spread over 2 400 unoffficial markets (irrespective of the sector of activity) and 500 000 shopkeepers. As a comparison, at the Register of Commerce, only 648 supermarkets and mini-markets are registered. However, the large foreign stores are discouraged by the cost of the investment and the complexity of Customs. This is especially the case of Carrefour which is still hesitating about opening Champion stores in the country.
For their part, the small local shops are not worried about foreign companies setting up; they consider that mass marketing meets the needs of more well-to-do customers than theirs. Given that the purchasing power of most Algerians remains low, they continue to prefer shopping at the local shopkeeper's.

Organizations in the retail sector

We can identify professional tradeshows on your sector.

Market access procedures

International Conventions

Party to the Kyoto protocol
Party to the Washington convention on International trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora
Party to the Basel convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their disposal
Party to the Montreal protocol on Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer

International economic cooperation

Cooperation agreement with the European Union
Member of the African Union
Member of the Arab League
Member of the Arab Maghreb Union
Member of the Arab Free Trade Zone (AFTZ).
The country have signed a trade agreement with 21 other countries in the São Paulo Round of the Global System of Trade Preferences among Developing Countries (GSTP).

Non tariff barriers

Over the last few years, Algeria has intensified the liberalization of its trade with foreign countries. However, the country levies high Customs duties on some goods to protect national production. All import and export transactions of goods and services must be domiciled with a bank.

Customs duties and taxes on imports

0 to 30%

Customs classification

The Algerian Customs tarrif is applied on the HS nomenclature.

Import procedures

To import or export goods, you must present a detailed declaration to the Customs office; it must be written and signed by the informant.
To consult import procedures, click here.

Importing samples

Samples can be exported with no controls. For more information, consult the Algerian Customs Website.

For further information

The Algerian Customs website
The Algerian Ministry of Commerce

We can indicate you which are the customs duties applied to your product.

Find out the local taxes that apply to your product.

Organizing goods transport

Main useful means of transport

The main means of transport in Algeria, for import and export, is by sea. The main commercial ports are: Algiers (10 million tonnes), Oran (4 million tonnes), Annaba (5 million tonnes) and Djendjen (1.5 million tonnes) ; they total 75% of port traffic (apart from hydrocarbons). The port of Algiers is the leading commercial port in the country. The global volume of traffic registered by these ports each year is more than 127 million tonnes, of which 99.96 are exports and 26.95 imports. For further information, see the UNECE presentation of Algerian ports.

Nevertheless, according to the Ministry of Transport, all the airport services management companies (EGSA) together register an increase of 2% of the volume of freight handled every year. Air Algérie, the country's main airline, handles more than 25,000 tonnes in a year.

The distances to be traveled by land are long. The motorway network is still limited. In the absence of reliable statistics on the activity of private sector road transport, it is very difficult to estimate the real volume of goods traveling by road in Algeria.

The National Rail Transport Company (SNTF) carry an average of 8.5 million tonnes of goods each year.

Ports

List of all the Algerian ports and information sheets about them

Airports

Airport services management company of Algiers Airport
Airport services management company of Oran Airport
Airport services management company of Constantine Airport

Sea transport organizations

Algerian Ministry of Transport

Air transport organizations

National Air Navigation Establishment

Road transport organizations

Algerian Ministry of Transport

Rail transport organizations

Algerian Ministry of Transport

Get a ballpark figure for transportation costs for your product in this country through a shipping estimate.

Identifying a supplier

Type of production

In Algeria, industry represents 60% of the GDP and 14% of employment. The main industries in Algeria are petroleum, natural gaz, light industry, mining, electrical appliances, petrochemical products and transforming foodstuffs.

Business directories

Arabji.com
Directory of Algerian exporters
The Maghreb pages
The Algerian Yellow Pages
Kompass Algeria

Manufacturers associations of the main industries

Algerian Beverage Producers Association
Algerian Industry and Gas Association (in French)
Entrepreneurs & Industrialists of the Mitidja Club

Trade Agencies and their representations abroad

The Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Enterprises federation

Company Directors Forum
Algerian Employers Confederation

Standards

National standards organizations

Algerian Institute of Standardization (IANOR)

Integration in the international standards network

The IANOR is a member of the International Standards Organisation (ISO).

Classification of standards

The national conformity mark is entitled TEDJ. The NF and CE marks are accepted in Algeria and are established as references.

Online consultation of standards

Algerian Institute of Standardization

Certification organizations

Algerac
List of research consultancies authorized to assist companies with their certification

Find out the standards and labelling requirements that apply to your products.

Intellectual Property

National organizations

Patents, trademarks and copyright are protected in Algeria. For patents, requests for information should be made to the Algerian Institute of Standardization and Industrial Property (INAPI). Concerning trademarks, the request should be made to the National Trade Register Center (CNCR).

International membership

Member of the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization)
Signatory to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Intellectual Property