Prohibit the import of solid waste in any way from next year

Recently, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Commerce, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the General Administration of Customs issued the "Announcement on Matters concerning the Total Ban on the Import of Solid Waste" (hereinafter referred to as the "Announcement").

Question: What is the background and significance of the "Announcement"?

Answer: Promoting the reform of the solid waste import management system for banning foreign waste is a major decision made by the Party Central Committee and the State Council in the new era and new situation.

Since the General Office of the State Council issued the "Implementation Plan for Prohibiting the Entry of Foreign Waste to Promote the Reform of the Solid Waste Import Management System" (hereinafter referred to as the "Implementation Plan") in July 2017, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee and the State Council, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment has worked with the General Customs The 14 inter-ministerial coordination group member units, including the Department, worked closely together.

In June 2018, the "Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Comprehensively Strengthening Ecological Environmental Protection and Resolutely Fighting Pollution Prevention and Control" put forward the goal of "striving to basically achieve zero imports of solid waste by the end of 2020".

In order to implement the "Opinions of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council on Comprehensively Strengthening Ecological Environmental Protection and Resolutely Fight Pollution Prevention and Control" and the newly revised "Solid Waste Law" related requirements, combined with the implementation of the "Implementation Plan", the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, the Ministry of Commerce, and the Ministry of Development The Reform Commission and the General Administration of Customs jointly issued the "Announcement.

The issuance of the "Announcement" officially clarified the time when my country will completely ban the import of solid waste; it demonstrates the firm determination of the Chinese government to safeguard the national ecological environment and the health of the people.

Question: What are the main contents of the "Announcement"?

Answer: The "Announcement" mainly includes the following three aspects: First, my country will completely ban the import of solid waste, and the Ministry of Ecology and Environment will no longer approve and issue import licenses for restricted imports of solid waste that can be used as raw materials.

　　Question: In 2020, the unused import permits for imported solid wastes that can be used as raw materials are restricted.
Can they continue to be used in 2021?

　　Answer: In 2020, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment has approved and issued the import license for the restricted import of solid waste that can be used as raw materials.
It should be used within the validity period of 2020 stated in the certificate, and it will become invalid if it expires.
It is hoped that relevant certificate-holding enterprises will handle customs clearance matters as soon as possible.

　　Question: After the "Announcement" is implemented, how will we deal with situations where imported solid waste is discovered?

　　Answer: Starting from January 1, 2021, my country will ban the import of solid waste by any means, and prohibit the dumping, stacking and disposal of solid waste outside my country’s borders.
In violation of relevant regulations, foreign solid waste is imported into China, according to the "Solid Waste Law" and other laws and regulations, the customs shall order the return and impose a fine; if the circumstances are serious and constitute a crime, criminal responsibility shall be investigated in accordance with the law.
At the same time, the carrier shall be jointly and severally liable with the importer for the return and disposal of solid waste.

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