National Environment Agency - Chemical Control and Management Department (Basel Convention)

Hazardous Wastes under the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal

The import, export and transit of Hazardous Wastes are subject to control by the Chemical Control and Management Department (CCMD). Under the Hazardous Waste (Control of Export, Import and Transit) Act and its Regulations, any person who wish to export, import or transit hazardous waste must obtain a Basel permit from CCMD. For more information on the control of transboundary movements of hazardous wastes in Singapore, please visit CCMD website.

CCMD adopts the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure of the Basel Convention in granting any permit for the export, import or transit of hazardous wastes. The import, export and transit of hazardous wastes are not allowed with non-Parties to the Basel Convention. The status of ratification of countries to the Basel Convention as well as information on Basel Convention may be viewed at http://www.basel.int/.

Export, Import and Transit of Hazardous Wastes

1. For Hazardous Wastes Classified under the Basel Convention

• Declarant must declare the following in the export, import or transit permit application:

  • Basel Export, Import or Transit Permit No. under the ‘Licence Details’ column
  • Item description and item quantity under ‘Item Details’ column
  • The corresponding Product Codes to the correct Harmonised System (HS) Codes

• Declarant would have to upload the following documents in TradeNet during the permit application:

  • Invoice
  • Bill of Lading (BL) / Air waybill (AWB)
  • Copy of Basel export, import or transit permit
  • Any other supporting documents relevant to the export, import or transit shipments

  Note:
  

  1. Export, Import and transit of Hazardous Wastes requires a valid Basel Export, Import or Transit Permit issued by NEA-CCMD respectively.
     
  2. Prior approval via the TradeNet shall be obtained for the export, import and transit of all Hazardous Wastes.

2. For Non-Hazardous Wastes (e.g. copper scrap) controlled under CCMD

For Export

• Declarant must declare the following in the export permit application:

  • Purpose of export under the ‘Remarks/Conditions’ column
  • Item description and item quantity under ‘Item Details’ column
  • The corresponding Product Codes to the correct Harmonised System (HS) Codes

• Declarant would have to upload the following documents in TradeNet during the permit application:

  • Invoice
  • Bill of Lading (BL) / Air waybill (AWB)
  • Letter of confirmation from the exporter/importer confirming whether the shipment contains any hazardous wastes classified under the Basel Convention and importing country’s legislation
  • An inspection certificate issued by an authorized surveyor for exports of copper scraps to China , Taiwan and Hong Kong
  • Any other supporting documents relevant to the export shipment

For Import

• Declarant must declare the following in the import permit application:

  • Purpose of import under the ‘Remarks/Conditions’ column
  • Item description and item quantity under ‘Item Details’ column
  • The corresponding Product Codes to the correct HS Codes

• Declarant would have to upload the following documents in TradeNet during the permit application:

  • Invoice
  • Bill of Lading (BL) / Air waybill (AWB)
  • Letter of confirmation from the exporter/importer confirming whether the shipment contains any hazardous wastes classified under the Basel Convention

• Any other supporting documents relevant to the import shipment

Note:
Prior approval via the TradeNet shall be obtained for the export, import and transit of all non-hazardous wastes.

Export and Import of Used Electrical & Electronic Equipments

1. Declarant must declare the following in the export or import permit application:

• Item description and item quantity under ‘Item Details’ column
• The corresponding Product Codes depending on the purpose of export or import to the correct HS Codes

2. Declarant would have to upload the following documents in TradeNet during the permit application, depending on the purpose of export or import:

• Invoice
• Bill of Lading (BL) / Air waybill (AWB)
• Warranty Document / Contractual Agreement for the repair works
• Surveyor Report by an authorised third-party inspection body stating the working condition of the goods
• Any other supporting documents relevant to the export or import shipments

Note:
Prior approval via the TradeNet shall be obtained for the export and import of all Used Electrical & Electronic Equipments.

Export and Import Plastic Waste

Since 1 Jan 2021, the transboundary movement of certain types of plastic waste under Annexes II and VIII of the Basel Convention are subjected to the Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure, while plastic waste listed in Annex IX are exempted from the transboundary movement control and a Basel Permit is not required from CCMD.

For more information, please refer to the circular on Update on Tradenet Requirements for the Transboundary Movement of Plastic Waste under the Basel Convention

1. Declarant must declare the following in the export or import permit application:

• Item description and item quantity under ‘Item Details’ column
• The corresponding Product Codes depending on the purpose of export or import to the correct HS Codes

2. Declarant would have to upload the following documents in TradeNet during the permit application, depending on the purpose of export or import:

• Invoice
• Bill of Lading (BL) / AIr Waybill (AWB)
• Photographic evidence of plastic waste for each import/export declaration for Annex IX plastic wastes
• Surveyor Report
• Contractual agreements with the overseas counterparts
• Approvals from the relevant authority of the importing country/exporter’s declaration
• Letter of confirmation or approval permits from the relevant authority of the importing/exporting country for the transboundary movement of plastic waste listed in Annex IX (i.e. to support that the shipment of plastic wastes is considered non-hazardous under the Basel Convention)
• Any other supporting documents relevant to the export or import shipments

Note:
Prior approval via the TradeNet shall be obtained for the export and import of all plastic waste.

Additional Notes:

1. The HS Codes and Product Codes for hazardous waste, controlled waste and Used Electrical & Electronic Equipments and plastic waste under the purview of NEA-CCMD can be found at the HS/CA Product Code Search Engine.

2. If the importer / exporter does not have the required supporting documents required by NEA (e.g. Basel permit etc), please contact CCMD officers at 67319061 for advice.