The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has issued a few instructions in relation with the restrictions on the import of products made of plastic.
The Board has issued the instructions on Wednesday in connection with the changes in Plastic Waste Management Rules notified vide its Notification dated August 12, 2021 (G.S.R. 571(E)) and Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022 notified vide Notification dated February 16, 2022 (Copy enclosed).
The key changes in the notification dated August 12, 2021, relating to import are listed below:
(i) Rule 4(1)(c): Carry bag made of virgin or recycled plastic, shall not be less than seventy-five microns in thickness with effect from the September 30, 2021 and one hundred and twenty (120) microns in thickness with effect from the December 31, 2022.
(ii) Rule 4(2): The manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of following single use plastic (SUP), including polystyrene and expanded polystyrene, commodities shall be prohibited with effect from July 01, 2022:
(a) Ear buds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, polystyrene [Thermocol] for decoration.
(b) Plates, cups, glasses, cutlery such as forks, spoons, knives, straw, trays, wrapping or packing films around sweet boxes, invitation cards, and cigarette packets, plastic or PVC banners less than 100 micron, stirrers.
(iii) Rule 4(3): The provisions of sub-rule (2) (b) shall not apply to commodities made of compostable plastic.
“Further, Rule 6 of the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022 prescribes registration of importers of plastic packaging product or products with plastic packaging or carry bags or multi-layered packaging or plastic sheets, on a centralized portal developed by CPCB and Rule 7.3 prescribes extended producer responsibility and obligations of Importers,” the Circular said.
The Board further requested that necessary action may be taken to sensitize officers under your jurisdiction regarding the above-mentioned prohibitions and restrictions with respect to import of items made of plastic.
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