The Zanzibar Industrial Property Office (ZIPO), operating under the Zanzibar Business and Property Registration Agency (BPRA), has enacted sweeping changes to its intellectual property fee structure. Published in the Zanzibar Government Gazette (Vol. CXXXIV No. 7369) on 18 July 2025, the revised fees took effect on 11 August 2025.

The amendments introduce steep fee hikes ranging from 50% to 300% across key IP categories, including trade marks, patents, industrial designs, and geographical indications.

All unpaid applications, renewals, and recordals filed before 11 August 2025 are now subject to the new, higher fee structure.

Costs may rise significantly, particularly for:

• Applications submitted before 11 August 2025 that remain unpaid
• Renewals or recordals still pending and not yet finalised
• New filings in Zanzibar which are planned under the revised fee structure

To mitigate costs and ensure compliance, clients are strongly advised to:

• Review IP portfolios for unpaid filings in Zanzibar
• Cross-check pending payments against the revised fee schedule
• Act promptly to complete filings or seek clarification from local counsel

In addition to higher charges, the updated regulations introduce new fee items for previously unlisted procedural actions, such as various examination-related steps and opposition hearings.