Announcement on Adjustment to the Catalogue for the Administration of Import Solid Waste

On 19 April 2018, the Chinese government announced the Adjustment to the Catalogue for the Administration of Import Solid Waste with the aim to further regulate the importation of solid waste and prevent environmental pollution in accordance with Chinese laws and regulations on solid waste management. Through this policy, 16 categories of solid waste (see Annex 1 list) were moved to the Catalogue of Prohibited Solid Waste Import entering into force on 31 December 2018. Further 16 categories of solid wastes (see Annex 2 list) were moved to the Catalogue of Prohibited Solid Waste Import entering into force on 31 December 2019.

On 25 December 2018, another announcement (No. 68 of 2018) was made, listing mineral wastes and scraps. 

The restrictions are enforced by the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, The Ministry of Commerce, National Development and Reform Commission and General Administration of Customs.

Effective 31 December 2018: Six types of solid waste moved to the Catalogue of Banned Import Solid Waste, including manganese-containing slag, steel and iron residues, and scrap for copper and aluminium recovery.

Effective 1 July 2019: Eight types of solid waste moved from non-restricted to restricted import: 

• Six categories of steel scrap
• Other copper scrap
• Other aluminium scrap

Effective 31 December 2019: Seven types of critical mineral wastes and scraps banned from import, including tungsten, magnesium, bismuth, germanium, gallium, rhenium, niobium, and vanadium.

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