Importing or exporting hazardous and other wastes — metal scrap, used oil, e-waste, waste tyres, paper waste, spent catalysts — is governed by Chapter IV of the Hazardous and Other Wastes Rules and the Basel Convention. Depending on the Schedule III listing, you may need prior permission from MoEFCC, only SPCB authorisation and customs documentation, or the import may be prohibited outright. We classify the consignment, obtain the permission and align it with your DGFT and customs paperwork.
Legal basis: Chapter IV (Rules 11 to 15) and Schedule III of the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016 (as amended); Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes; DGFT ITC (HS) import policy
Who needs it
- Actual users importing metal scrap, paper waste, used rubber or other Schedule III Part B wastes for recycling or recovery
- Registered e-waste, battery, used oil or tyre recyclers importing waste as feedstock
- Refineries, chemical and pharma units importing spent catalysts or solvents for recovery
- Exporters of hazardous waste to facilities abroad for recycling or disposal where domestic capacity is unavailable
- Traders and SEZ / EOU units who need to confirm whether a waste is permitted, restricted or prohibited
Common in:Manufacturing & Industrial UnitsRecyclers & Waste ProcessorsImporters & Brand Owners
Documents required
- 1Application in Form 5 for import or export with waste description, Basel / Schedule III code, quantity and purpose
- 2Hazardous Waste Authorisation from the SPCB covering the specific waste and recycling process
- 3Consent to Operate and proof of installed recycling capacity
- 4Import Export Code (IEC) and GST registration
- 5Agreement with the overseas exporter or importer and details of the generating facility
- 6Prior Informed Consent and insurance documents for Basel-listed wastes
- 7Analysis report or composition certificate of the waste from an accredited laboratory
- 8Pre-shipment inspection certificate, where required under the DGFT policy for scrap
- 9Movement document in Form 6 for each consignment
- 10Records of previous imports and utilisation (Form 3 register extracts), for repeat applicants
Missing something? We help you obtain or regularise supporting documents before filing.
How we get it done
- 1
Classification
Day 1–5We classify the material under Schedule III — Part A (permission required), Part B (import permitted for actual users without MoEFCC permission), Part C / D (restricted or prohibited) — and map the Basel code and ITC (HS) policy.
- 2
Pre-requisites
Day 6–20SPCB authorisation, consent and capacity evidence are confirmed or obtained so the applicant qualifies as an actual user.
- 3
Application to MoEFCC
Day 21–25The Form 5 application is filed with MoEFCC through the SPCB, with agreements, analysis reports and Basel documentation as applicable.
- 4
Ministry processing and queries
Day 26–90We follow up with the Hazardous Substances Management Division, coordinate SPCB comments and Prior Informed Consent where required, and respond to queries.
- 5
Shipment compliance
Day 90–120On grant we prepare movement documents, align customs declarations and set up the utilisation records and returns the permission requires.
If you don’t comply
Illegal import of hazardous or prohibited waste is treated as illegal traffic under Rule 15, requiring the importer to re-export the consignment at its own cost within 90 days, and attracts prosecution under Section 15 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 along with confiscation and penalties under the Customs Act, 1962. Misdeclaring waste as a permitted material is a frequent cause of detained containers and blacklisting of the IEC.
Why MYDA Group
Specialists, not generalists
Environmental compliance is our only practice, so your file is handled by people who do this every day.
Fixed fee, written scope
You know the professional fee and the statutory fees before we start. No surprise add-ons.
Inspection and audit-ready
We prepare your site and team for the board visit or certification audit and attend it with you.
Lifetime reminders
Every condition, return and renewal goes into your compliance calendar with alerts.
Frequently asked questions
Which wastes cannot be imported at all?
Schedule III Part D lists wastes prohibited for import, which includes solid plastic waste (including into SEZs and EOUs since the 2019 amendment), waste tyres for direct reuse, used critical-care medical equipment and several hazardous categories. Importing these is illegal traffic regardless of the end use.
Do we need MoEFCC permission to import metal scrap?
Most ferrous and non-ferrous metal scrap falls under Schedule III Part B, which actual users may import without MoEFCC permission provided they hold the relevant SPCB authorisation or consent and comply with DGFT conditions such as pre-shipment inspection. Scrap contaminated with hazardous constituents may be reclassified, so composition certificates matter.
How long does MoEFCC take to decide?
The Rules envisage a decision within 60 days of a complete application, but in practice three to four months is common once SPCB comments and, for Basel-listed wastes, the exporting country's consent are factored in. Complete documentation is the single biggest driver of speed.
Can an SEZ or EOU import waste that is otherwise restricted?
The 2019 amendment closed the earlier exemptions for SEZs and EOUs on solid plastic waste, and other restricted wastes require the same permissions as in the domestic tariff area. We confirm the current position for your specific material before you contract with a supplier.