With the May filing cycle under way, ARIPO has moved to full implementation of its 2026 trade mark fee schedule. The electronic filing fee is now USD 160, while paper filing is USD 200. A new USD 100 opposition transmittal fee has also been introduced, and the period for designated states to issue refusals has been shortened from nine months to six months.
The fee changes are manageable for most applicants, but the shorter refusal window deserves closer attention. Businesses using ARIPO to seek protection across multiple African member states should review clearance work earlier, keep client instructions moving quickly, and avoid treating official notices as matters that can wait. The practical cost of delay may now be higher than the increase in filing fees.
