EU ban on plastic waste exports to non-OECD countries starts 21 November 2026

The EU’s revised Waste Shipment Regulation — Regulation (EU) 2024/1157 — entered into force in May 2024 and applies in stages. Two of its milestones matter to anyone who trades recycled plastics across borders. Since 21 May 2026, exports of plastic waste from the EU, including clean, sorted plastic waste destined for recycling (Basel code B3011), go through the prior notification and consent procedure. And from 21 November 2026, exports of plastic waste from the EU to non-OECD countries are banned.

What exactly changes on 21 November 2026?

According to the European Commission, a complete ban on plastic waste exports from the EU to non-OECD countries applies from 21 November 2026, at least until 21 May 2029. After that, a non-OECD country that wants to receive EU plastic waste must notify the Commission and demonstrate that it can manage the waste in an environmentally sound manner before it can be listed as an eligible destination. Such requests can only cover non-hazardous plastic waste (B3011).

Can plastic waste still go to OECD countries?

Yes, but with more paperwork than before. Clean plastic waste that used to move under the lighter “green list” information procedure now needs prior written notification and consent from the authorities involved when it leaves the EU. In practice that means longer lead times, a notification for each flow and documents that must be ready before loading. The new regulation also moves waste shipment procedures onto an EU-wide digital system.

Does the ban apply to PET flakes and other recycled materials?

The ban applies to plastic waste, so the key question for each lot is its legal status. Baled bottles and mixed plastic are clearly waste. Washed flakes and regrind are frequently still classified as waste. Material that has reached end-of-waste status under the applicable EU or national rules — often specification-grade pellets produced by extrusion — is traded as a product. The answer depends on the material, the process and the countries involved, so it must be checked for every flow, with the competent authorities where necessary.

Customs classification and waste status are related but different. An HS code such as 3915 (waste, parings and scrap of plastics) describes the goods for customs; the waste-shipment procedure depends on the waste-law classification, which is assessed separately.

What does it mean for global recycled plastic supply?

• More plastic waste collected in the EU is expected to stay in Europe or go to OECD destinations, adding feedstock for European recyclers that need it to meet the recycled-content targets of the Single-Use Plastics Directive and the PPWR.
• Recyclers in non-OECD countries that bought EU bales or flakes will need other feedstock — local collection or other origins.
• Buyers of recycled flakes and pellets in those countries may see different origins, prices and documentation.
• Traders need to classify every lot carefully and keep waste-law documents alongside the commercial documents.

What should buyers and sellers do now?

1. Confirm the waste status and Basel/EU waste codes of each material before contracting — not after the container is booked.
2. For EU-origin recycled material sold to a non-OECD destination, check whether it is a product with end-of-waste documentation; if it is still waste, it cannot be shipped.
3. For OECD destinations, build notification and consent lead times into delivery schedules.
4. Keep certificates of analysis, process descriptions and end-of-waste declarations in the shipping file.