Commerce Ministry warns against sale of sulphuric acid export permits

The Ministry of Commerce, Trade and Industry has warned individuals and companies against the illegal sale, transfer, and misuse of sulphuric acid export permits, saying such practices violated the Control of Goods Act, Cap 421. In a public notice issued on May, 30, 2026, the Ministry Principal Public Relations Officer, Everness Nankala, said export permits issued for sulphuric acid were strictly regulated and are subject to specific terms and conditions. Nankala said the Ministry had noted with concern reports of abuse by certain individuals and companies attempting to commercialize permits meant for regulated exports.

According to the notice, export permits were non-transferable and can only be used by the company to which they were issued. “Export permits issued by the Ministry are strictly for use by the individual company to which the permit has been issued,” she said. Nankala stated that companies were not permitted to sell, transfer, lease, assign, or allow other companies to use their permits to export sulphuric acid or any other products,” the Ministry stated.

She further clarified that the issuance of sulphuric acid export permits was free of charge, and warned the public against agents demanding payment. “The Ministry does not charge any fee for the issuance of sulphuric acid export permits. Applicants are therefore strongly advised not to engage agents or intermediaries demanding payment for facilitating access to permits,” Nankala stated.

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The notice also stated that collection of approved permits was free, and that any person demanding payment for collection services was acting illegally. Nankala urged members of the public to report any individual or company attempting to sell or purchase export permits, or any person offering permit agent services at a fee. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express permission from ZAMBIA MONITOR.

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