Customs Strengthens Inspection of Illegal Industrial Waste to Fulfill Environmental Protection Responsibility
Recently Taichung Customs has repeatedly found that some companies exported industrial waste illegally. Such as the plastic waste of non-single material mixture and waste lead-acid batteries for vehicles. Exporters who export industrial waste without submitting the required export permission documents issued by the competent authorities will face penalties according to relevant regulations.
Taichung Customs states that our country complies with the principles of the Basel Convention. To control environmental pollution caused by the transboundary movement of waste and to prevent illegal transport activities, companies must comply with the Waste Disposal Act and the Management Regulations for the Import and Export of Industrial Waste when declaring waste imports and exports. Once suspected industrial waste in imported or exported goods at the border, the Customs will immediately notify the regional Environmental Management Center of the Ministry of Environment to dispatch officers to determine the goods. If identified as unapproved general waste or hazardous industrial waste without a permit from the competent authority, fines ranging from NT$60,000 to NT$10,000,000 will be imposed by Article 53 of the Waste Disposal Act. Additionally, the waste must be re-exported or canceled from customs declaration and removed from the warehouse according to Articles 10 and Article 18-1 of the Management Regulations for the Import and Export of Industrial Waste.
Taichung Customs urges businesses to consult the competent authority or apply for export/import permits before importing or exporting waste. Do not take chances so to prevent violations and losses due to penalties. Smuggling hazardous industrial waste not only harms the environment but also damages the country’s reputation. Taichung Customs will continue to strengthen interceptions and inspections of illegal import and export of industrial waste to prevent unlawful activities and protect the sustainable development of the environment and ecology.
Press Contact：Section Chief Lin,Yi-Yan
Contact Number：（04）26582500 Ext.101
Reference URL：https://www.mof.gov.tw/Eng/singlehtml/f48d641f159a4866b1d31c0916fbcc71?cntId=a7a948da47bd4441ad7bc279f8d84168