CBIC Mandates EPR Registration for Plastic Importers Following Expanded Plastic Definition [Read Notification]
CBIC mandates EPR registration for all plastic importers before customs clearance, expanding the definition of plastic under waste management rules
EPR Registration for Plastic Importers
EPR Registration for Plastic Importers
The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) issued Instruction No. 21/2025-Customs dated July 2, 2025, making it mandatory for all importers of plastic raw materials to register on the Centralized Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Portal for Plastic Packaging before customs clearance.
This instruction aligns with the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024, which expanded the definition of plastic imports to include:
- Plastic packaging,
- Carry bags,
- Plastic sheets,
- Raw materials like resins and pellets,
- Intermediate materials like films and preforms are used for making plastic packaging.
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Under Section 6 of the EPR Guidelines, all such importers must be registered on the EPR Plastic Portalto improve traceability and accountability in managing plastic waste.
The CBIC has instructed customs officers across India to verify proof of EPR registration before clearing consignments of plastic raw materials. This means importers must complete EPR registration before imports can clear customs, and customs officers must check EPR compliance at ports, airports, and land borders.
In simple terms, if an importer brings in plastic resins, pellets, films, or any form of plastic packaging material into India, they must now be registered on the EPR Portal, failing which their shipments will not clear customs. This measure aims to prevent untraceable plastic from entering the country’s consumption streams and to hold producers accountable for plastic waste generated in India.
The CBIC has also asked customs field formations to sensitize officers under their jurisdiction to ensure smooth and consistent enforcement of this requirement. Any difficulties in implementation are to be reported back to the Board for resolution.
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