Govt suspends export duty on copper concentrates

Government has temporarily suspended export duty on selected copper concentrates in a move aimed at easing the export of stockpiled material and providing support to the mining sector. The regulations, cited as the Customs and Excise (Suspension) (Copper Concentrates) (No. 2) Regulations, 2026, were enacted by the Minister of Finance under powers conferred by Section 89 of the Act.

According to the statutory instrument, export duty on copper concentrates classified under tariff headings 2603.00.21, 2603.00.22, 2603.00.23 and 2603.00.29 has been reduced to zero for qualifying exports during the suspension period. “The export duty on copper concentrates of heading 2603.00.21, 2603.00.22, 2603.00.23 and 2603.00.29 is suspended to free where the companies specified in the Schedule export the quantities of copper concentrates specified in that Schedule through Industrial Resources Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Industrial Development Corporation,” the SI states. The duty waiver applies exclusively to companies listed in the schedule attached to the regulations and is restricted to the quantities of copper concentrates specified therein.

Under the arrangement, all qualifying exports will be channelled through Industrial Resources Limited, a subsidiary of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). The temporary measure is expected to help mining companies clear accumulated copper concentrate inventories while supporting continued mineral exports and foreign exchange inflows. The move forms part of broader government efforts to strengthen the mining industry, boost mineral production and increase the sector’s contribution to economic growth.

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Unless extended or replaced through another statutory instrument, the suspension of export duty will automatically expire on September 30, 2026. 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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