China: Ban on import of waste plastics

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In 2018 we reported changes to the import regulations in China in relation to solid waste: https://www.steamshipmutual.com/publications/Articles/chinasolidwasteimportation062018.htm

China has recently changed its regulations in relation to plastics. Chinese law firm Hai Tong & Partners report that in order to strengthen the control of plastic pollution and protect the environment, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of PRC issued an Opinion on Further Reinforcing the Handling of Plastic Pollution (“Opinion”) on 19 January 2020. The Opinion prohibits and restricts production, sales and usage of plastic products. More importantly, the Opinion bans the import of waste plastics to China.

The List of Banned Scrap Imports of China can be seen below:

No.CategoryHS Code 1 Plastic Waste from Living Sources 3915100000 2 3 3915200000 4 3915300000 5 3915901000 6 7 3915909000 8 9 Vanadium slag 2619000021 10 2619000029 11 2620999011 12 2620999019 13 Unsorted waste paper 4707900090 14 Waste textile materials 5103109090 15 5103209090 16 5103300090 17 5104009090 18 5202100000 19 5202910000 20 5202990000 21 5505100000 22 5505200000 23 6310100010 24 6310900010

Some kinds of waste plastics have already been prohibited from import to China but pursuant to the Opinion, all kinds of waste plastics are banned by the Chinese Government.

Hai Tong are monitoring for a notice/announcement of the General Administration of Customs regarding the implementation of the prohibition. Meantime shipowners are reminded to be careful and cautious when accepting booking requests for transporting any kind of waste plastics into China. According to the Customs Law of PRC, if the customs find that the cargo discharged at Chinese port is a prohibited material, the carrier may be considered as smuggling and a fine imposed. In addition, if the Chinese consignee rejects the cargo, the carrier will be ordered to transport the cargo out of China and/or bear the disposal cost.