Which activities require an authorisation from the Ministry of Trade?

Importing goods subject to quotas, selling medical devices, sensitive food activities, fuels, pharmaceutical products, pyrotechnic products and other regulated sectors. The list changes with each finance act.

How do you obtain an operating authorisation?

File an application with the trade directorate of your wilaya: form, trade register, NIF, professional qualifications where required, proof of compliant premises, and a hygiene certificate for food activities.

What is an import licence in Algeria?

The authorisation required to import certain categories of products (motor vehicles, finished consumer goods). It is issued by the Ministry of Trade under an annual quota system.

What is the role of the Ministry of Trade?

Regulating domestic and foreign trade, protecting consumers, monitoring prices and quality, fighting fraud, and issuing sector licences and authorisations.

How do you declare an activity subject to a licence?

Register first with the CNRC as 'pending approval', file the application with the ministry, then amend the trade register once the authorisation is granted.

Do importers have to join the FCE?

No, the FCE is a private employers' association. The official importer card comes from the Ministry of Trade and the CACI.

What is the market regulation directorate (DRM)?

A ministry department responsible for monitoring prices, promotions and clearance sales, and for tackling anti-competitive practices.

Ministry of Trade and Export Promotion

UpGrowth is a private, independent consulting firm, not attached to any institution. We prepare and follow your file; the decision rests with the Ministry of Trade and Export Promotion. This guide is free. If you would rather delegate the procedure, we can handle it for you.

Official services of the Ministry of Trade and Export Promotion: www.commerce.gov.dz

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The Ministry of Trade and Export Promotion is Algeria's central authority responsible for...

Trade licences and authorisations, UpGrowth Connect

Identifying the licence required + file preparation + follow-up

Trade licences and authorisations, UpGrowth Connect

Read the details

The Ministry of Trade and Export Promotion is Algeria's central authority responsible for regulating domestic and foreign trade, protecting consumers and guaranteeing product quality. It designs the national strategy and oversees its application through the regional directorates in each wilaya.

Content verified on July 31, 2026Our methodology

ByÉquipe UpGrowth, Commercial licence and authorisation experts

Published on January 15, 2026Updated on July 31, 2026

Core missions

Regulating commercial activities, in particular imports and exports.
Monitoring prices, margins and commercial practices.
Protecting the consumer: labelling, product safety, action against fraud.
Supervising local trade bodies and the associated legal frameworks.

Dissolution of ALGEX

The Agence nationale de promotion du commerce extérieur, known as ALGEX, was dissolved by décret exécutif no. 25-235 of 3 September 2025, published in Journal Officiel no. 60 of 7 September 2025. That decree repeals décret exécutif no. 04-174 of 12 June 2004, which had created it.
Two separate bodies replace it, created the same day and placed under the authority of the minister for foreign trade: the Organisme algérien de l'importation (décret exécutif no. 25-233) and the Organisme algérien des exportations (décret exécutif no. 25-234), the latter receiving the dissolved agency's assets, rights, obligations and personnel.
The transfer is complete: its inventory was approved by an interministerial order of 14 April 2026, published in Journal Officiel no. 41 of 7 June 2026. A file still addressed to ALGEX no longer has an addressee.

Recent initiatives

Introduction of direct bank domiciliation procedures for importers of essential goods (for example coffee, infant milk, school supplies).
An overall reform of foreign trade focused on promoting local production and reducing non-essential imports.

Worth noting

The CACI works with the ministry to guide and support Algerian exporters.
More information: https://www.upgrowth.dz/caci

Useful links

Ministry of Trade: https://www.commerce.gov.dz
Wilaya directorate (for example Algiers): https://www.dcwalger.dz

Mandatory licence review

30+ sectors require prior authorisation from the ministry. Starting with the CNRC without checking can bring your activity to a halt.