Members are reminded that when ships call at Algerian ports masters are under a legal obligation to declare all cash on board to the customs authorities. Although the law has been in place since August 2010, local correspondents have recently seen an increase in the number of fines imposed for non-declaration of cash on board, especially in the port of Bejaia.

 Under Algerian law, undeclared cash will be confiscated and a fine of twice the amount of the confiscated cash will be imposed. For more serious infringements, there is also the possibility of imprisonment. 

Local correspondents recommend that masters inform their local agents and make a declaration of all cash on board‎ to the customs authorities and this declaration will be handed to the customs representatives in their presence. Members can always contact local correspondents for more detailed advice and information.