A new fuel consumption tax came into effect on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 08:00 (8:00 a.m.) for vehicles leaving Algeria for Tunisia in order to limit the outflow of subsidised fuel and tighten border controls.
The Algerian authorities announced they are applying a specific tax on land vehicles leaving the national territory destined for Tunisia in accordance with Article 93 of the 2026 Finance Law, regional media outlets report.
The measure applies to all land border posts in the east of the country connecting Algeria to Tunisia and aims to strictly regulate the consumption and indirect exportation of subsidised fuel.
According to the terms set out in the implementing texts, all land vehicles—including passenger cars, utility vehicles, trucks, and coaches—are subject to this tax before any authorisation to leave the territory is granted.
Payment must be made either to the tax services or electronically, and is a prerequisite for passing through customs checks carried out by Algerian customs services.
For passenger vehicles, the scale starts at 1,000 Algerian Dinars for a single exit. Two crossings are billed at 5,000 Dinars, three crossings at 10,000 Dinars, while beyond three exits, the tax reaches 25,000 Dinars. Higher amounts are applied to utility vehicles, trucks, and coaches, based on their category and the frequency of cross-border passages.
However, certain categories of vehicles benefit from exemptions, subject to conditions of reciprocity recognised by the authorities. These mainly include vehicles belonging to public administrations, Algerian companies operating abroad, as well as accredited diplomatic representations and international organisations.
This provision is part of the package of budgetary measures adopted by the Algerian parliament at the end of 2025 within the framework of the 2026 Finance Law. It aims to rationalise the use of heavily subsidised fuels, boost tax revenue, and combat smuggling phenomena at land borders.
The measure comes amid sustained road traffic flows between Algeria and Tunisia, particularly for passenger transport, goods, and cross-border tourism. Customs authorities have clarified that failure to pay the tax will result in an immediate refusal of passage.
MK/sf/lb/as/APA