National Biotechnology Authority (Agricultural Biotechnology Products) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (No. 1)
Exporters of biofertilisers, biopesticides and biostimulants must obtain a biosafety export permit, GMO certificate or declaration where the importing country requires one, and new biotech fees include US$650 for a trial release permit.
The Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education has amended the National Biotechnology Authority (Agricultural Biotechnology Products) Regulations published in S.I. 160 of 2018.
In section 10, the words requiring an application on Form ABP3 to be accompanied by an application fee are deleted, and applications must now specify the type and quantity of product to be imported, its country of origin, and the port through which it will enter Zimbabwe.
A new section 13(3) requires anyone intending to export biofertilisers, biopesticides or biostimulants to apply to the Authority for a biosafety export permit, a GMO certificate or a GMO declaration, as the importing country requires as a condition of entry.
The First Schedule of fees is replaced. In US dollars: registration (Form ABP1) 250; additional cost for emergency permits 20; amendment of a permit 10; inspection per truck 20; biosafety export permit or GMO declaration certificate (Form ABP7) 50; GMO testing per sample 250; biosafety transit permit (Form ABP11) 10; trial release permit (Form ABP14) 650; and inspectors' expertise 50 per inspector per day. A commercial release application is listed with no fee shown.
Fees can be paid at the prevailing interbank rate. Clients pay transport at Automobile Association of Zimbabwe rates and inspectors' accommodation and meals if they stay overnight, and the number of inspections for a trial release is agreed according to its duration and the nature of the product.
What changed
- Exporters of biofertilisers, biopesticides or biostimulants must apply for a biosafety export permit, GMO certificate or GMO declaration where the importing country requires it.
- Applications must state product type and quantity, country of origin and port of entry.
- The application fee wording in section 10(2) is removed.
- New fees: US$250 registration, US$650 trial release permit, US$250 per GMO test, US$50 export permit, US$10 transit permit, US$50 per inspector per day.
Who this affects
- Importers and exporters of biofertilisers, biopesticides and biostimulants
- Companies and researchers running trial releases of agricultural biotechnology products
- Transporters of these products in transit
Plain-language summary — not legal advice. Always read the full instrument.