Waste

Waste has become a global trade commodity in the last decades. This has led to an increase in waste transports in waste producing countries, as well as across the borders of some countries. Some waste is classified as hazardous, and may pose risks to humans’ health and the environment.

To protect the environment and human's health, there are comprehensive rules governing cross-border transportation of waste. When trading in waste, you are responsible for knowing the provisions that apply to your consignment.

Waste is defined as goods that a person or company has chosen to dispose. In most cases, the classification of the goods does not depend on the condition of the goods. Swedish Customs would like any person acting as an agent to be particularly aware of cases where the supporting documents for goods indicate a low price per kilo and the consignment is destined for a developing country or the Middle East.

Many countries lack knowledge of how to handle dangerous waste. This is why the Basel Convention, an international agreement on control cross-border waste transportation and management, was created.

Based on the Basel Convention, the EU adopted Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on shipments of waste. This Regulation is the most important legislative framework for actors established in the EU.

The Regulation’s annexes contain lists of waste, against which you must check your waste, as different rules apply to the annexes.

• Annex III – Non-hazardous waste. You are required to sign an agreement and complete an information form.
  
• Annex IV – Hazardous waste. Notify the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, which must approve the consignment before you are allowed to ship the waste. Your notification must also be approved by a competent authority in the country of destination.
• Annex V – Export prohibitions to countries outside the EU, OECD and Liechtenstein.
  

Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on shipments of waste Pdf.

Council Regulation (EU) No 333/2011 establishing criteria determining when certain types of scrap metal cease to be waste Pdf.

Decisions regarding waste transports are made by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency is the competent authority in Sweden. In consultation with authorities from other affected countries, they grant or deny permission to cross-border waste transports. Once you have found the Annex containing your waste, you need to identify the rules that apply to the country of destination and the intended purpose of the waste in the country of destination. It is not permitted to export waste that will not be recycled from the EU or EFTA. It is also not permitted to export waste classified as hazardous outside the EU, EFTA or OECD.

Common examples of hazardous waste include:

• Car parts;
• Refrigerators;
  
• Freezers;
  
• Computer screens;
  
• Batteries;
  
• Other electronic goods;
  
• Tyres;
  
• Engines.
  

Find out more from the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.

Used goods may sometimes be classified as waste

Sometimes it is difficult to assess whether the exported goods are used goods or waste. The following are examples of when goods should be classified as waste:

• Goods that are incomplete or miss crucial parts;
  
• Goods in a poor condition, and worn or damaged goods;
  
• Old or out-of-date goods;
  
• Goods without a purpose or market.
  

Follow these steps if your goods may be exported:

If your goods may be exported, please follow the following steps:

• Send the export declaration as a UNU message (standard procedure for export).
  
• Even if you hold an AEO certification, you should send the declaration as a UNU message, and you may not send it in the quality-assured flow.
  
• Enter the call-me code 01 to indicate that the goods are subject to export restrictions, and that you meet the criteria of these.
  

When waste ceases to be waste

Scrap metal

In 2011, the EU established criteria for when certain types of scrap metal cease to be waste in Council Regulation (EU) No 333/2011. This is known as end of waste. This regulation was adopted to promote the recycling of metal waste. Once the end of waste criteria have been met, the scrap metal may be used directly for manufacturing. For each consignment, the producer or importer is required to issue a statement of conformity in accordance with Annex II of the Regulation.

Scrap metal meeting the criteria in the regulation should be declared as follows:

• In Data element 44, Annexes, in your import declaration, you should refer to the declaration of conformity by entering Document Code C058 (this information is tied to the commodity code in Tulltaxan (TARIC).
  
• The declaration should be sent with an HNK/DNK message on the import. AEO certified actors should send the declaration with the aforementioned message types and may not send the declaration in a quality-assured flow.
  
• Enter the call-me code 01 to indicate Swedish Customs that the consignment is subject to restrictions.
  

Your consignment may be inspected

Swedish Customs is authorised to inspect any waste consignments that are either imported or exported. We may, for example, seize a waste consignment to verify that the consignment has been declared correctly and that all necessary information has been provided. If any crime is suspected, the waste consignment may be seized on the basis of the provisions in Section 22 of Act (2000:1225) on Penalties for Smuggling.

The assessment of whether the goods should be considered waste, and subsequently if it is illegal is made by the operative supervisory agencies, i.e. the County Administrative Boards.

Swedish Customs is not authorised to inspect waste at borders to other Member states.