Chasing unpaid customer invoices in Morocco: a practical guide and templates

Unpaid invoices are one of the main cash flow problems for Moroccan very small businesses and SMEs. An invoice that has not been paid by its due date must not be left without action. The longer you wait, the lower the chances of recovering the money. Here is a complete guide to handling your payment reminders in a professional and effective way.

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1. Understanding payment deadlines in Morocco

Law No. 49-15 on payment deadlines sets out clear rules:

• The payment deadline agreed between businesses cannot exceed 60 days from the invoice issue date
• In the absence of an agreement, the legal deadline is 30 days after receipt of the goods or performance of the service
• If the deadline is exceeded: the creditor is entitled to automatic late payment penalties, even without a formal notice

Knowing this framework is essential to understand when your customer is legally late and what your rights are.

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2. The 4 steps of an effective reminder process

Step 1 — Friendly reminder (D+1 to D+7 after the due date)

Do not let more than a week go by after the due date. Start with a courteous reminder, often by email. Sometimes the delay is simply an oversight.

Step 2 — Formal reminder (D+15 to D+21)

If the first reminder went unanswered, send a more formal reminder. Explicitly mention that the due date has passed and ask for a specific payment date.

Step 3 — Formal notice (D+30)

This is the step that gives your approach legal value. A formal notice is a registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt that:

• Formally starts the running of late payment penalties
• Serves as evidence in the event of legal action
• Shows your seriousness and determination

It must state: the amount due, the invoice referenced, the payment deadline granted (generally 8 days), and the action envisaged in case of non-payment.

Step 4 — Legal recovery (beyond D+45)

If friendly reminders fail, two routes are possible:

• The payment order (injonction de payer): a fast and inexpensive procedure before the commercial court for certain commercial debts. The judge can issue an order within a few weeks.
• The debt collection company: specialized providers who take over the chasing in exchange for a commission on the amounts recovered (generally 15 to 25%).

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3. The late payment penalties you are entitled to

Under Law No. 49-15, late payment penalties are automatically due from the day following the due date:

• Rate: Bank Al-Maghrib key rate + 7 points (check the rate currently in force)
• They are due without needing to have been mentioned in the contract or on the invoice
• In practice, many businesses do not apply the penalties in order to preserve the business relationship, but it is a useful negotiating lever

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4. Tips to prevent unpaid invoices

• Check the creditworthiness of your new customers before starting an important assignment (RC extract, references…)
• Ask for a deposit of 30 to 50% at the time of order for large projects
• State the due date clearly on every invoice (not just "30 days" but a specific date)
• Send the invoice quickly after delivery or performance of the service — the longer you wait, the more the customer forgets
• Automate your reminders so that they go out systematically at D+3, D+10, D+21 without you having to think about it

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Automate your reminders with Billora

Billora automatically sends reminder emails on a schedule that you define: reminder before the due date, gentle reminder, firm reminder. You set the deadlines and the messages once, and Billora takes care of the rest.

• Configurable automatic reminders (D-3, D+7, D+15…)
• Real-time status tracking (unread, viewed, replied)
• Dashboard of unpaid invoices with an aged receivables report
• Complete history of all reminders sent

Activate automatic reminders →