The government has removed value-added tax (VAT) on gold delivered to licensed refineries, in a move aimed at drawing more of the country's gold into official channels.

The change is set out in Statutory Instrument 175 of 2026, the Value Added Tax (General) (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (No. 80), published in the Government Gazette on Friday, The Herald and Mining Index Zimbabwe both reported. It is backdated to 1 January 2026.

What has changed

The new rule adds one line to the VAT regulations: the "supply of gold to a gold refinery holding a gold dealership licence issued in terms of the Gold Trade Act", according to an analysis of the instrument by Harare tax firm Lucent Consultancy. Lucent says this makes such sales zero-rated, meaning miners charge 0% VAT on them but can still claim back the VAT they pay on fuel, equipment and other costs.

Until now, the schedule named only Fidelity Gold Refinery, the Reserve Bank's refining arm, according to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority's published regulations. The amendment widens the relief to any refinery holding a dealership licence.

Why the government did it

Mining Index Zimbabwe reported that VAT on formal gold sales had created a price gap between official buyers and the parallel market. It said industry groups had argued the tax put miners who follow the rules at a disadvantage and pushed some towards smuggling and informal trading.

The government says the reform is meant to cut gold smuggling, which has long cost the country foreign currency, Mining Index reported. The Herald said the aim is to keep licensed local refineries competitive with informal buyers and foreign processing hubs, and to encourage both large mines and small-scale miners to sell through official channels.

Because the rule runs from 1 January, The Herald said it gives mining houses and refineries certainty for the whole of 2026 and clears up possible back-tax or refund claims built up earlier in the year. Lucent noted that refineries may now be due VAT refunds from ZIMRA on their own costs.

Why it matters

Gold is a major export earner, and Mining Index said the change is aimed in particular at artisanal and small-scale miners. When gold leaves the country informally, the state loses both tax and the foreign currency that pays for imports such as fuel.

The timing is notable. Gold sits outside the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe figures released this week, which showed other mineral sales passing US$5 billion so far this year. Gold is sold through Fidelity instead, so this tax change is the government's latest lever to grow that separate stream.

Whether it works will show up in official gold delivery figures over the coming months. Zimbo Grapevine will report on them as they are published.

Sources: The Herald, 30 Oct 2026: https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/new-government-scraps-value-added-tax-on-gold-deliveries-to-licensed-refiners/ · Mining Index Zimbabwe, 30 Oct 2026: https://www.miningindex.co.zw/2026/10/30/government-scraps-vat-on-gold-deliveries-to-curb-smuggling/ · Lucent Consultancy (tax analysis): https://lucent.co.zw/tax/tax-and-economic-implications-of-statutory-instrument-175-of-2026/

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