New Digital Platform for Checks in Tunisia: Rules and Consequences for Unregistered Checks
During his intervention on Express FM, financial analyst Moez Hadidane clarified that the drawer will receive a QR code with information on the available balance before submitting the check to the bank. This reservation of the amount must be done on the platform before the check is issued. In the event of accepting a check without provision, strict rules apply depending on the check amount and compliance with registration on the platform.
If a beneficiary accepts a check without provision of an amount less than 5,000 dinars without registering it, it is considered a "bill of exchange" and they must pursue payment from the drawer without being able to file a complaint. On the other hand, if the amount is greater than 5,000 dinars and the check is not registered, it constitutes a criminal offense. The drawer faces a two-year prison sentence, and a judicial procedure begins after a seven-day delay, with an additional nine-month period for an amicable settlement before pursuing legal action.
To recall, the Central Bank of Tunisia has set up a new unified digital platform for checks, which will come into effect on February 2, 2025, in accordance with Law No. 41 of 2024. This initiative aims to strengthen the security and reliability of check transactions, with the participation of several actors, including the Central Bank, Tunisian banks, the Tunisian Post, and users (drawers and beneficiaries). Before any transaction, it is mandatory for both parties to have an account on the platform, and check-related information must be registered in real-time.
