CBIC Mandates EPR Portal Registration for Plastic Raw Material Importers

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC) has issued Instruction No. 21/2025-Customs dated 2nd July 2025, directing customs officials across India to verify the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) registration of importers of plastic raw materials.

This directive aligns customs operations with the Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2024, ensuring that only environmentally compliant importers are allowed to bring plastic raw materials into India.

Background

The move follows:

CBIC’s earlier Instruction No. 14/2023-Customs dated 17.04.2023
CPCB letter dated 13.06.2025 [F. No. CP-20/10/2024-UPC-II-HO-CPCB-HO-Part(3)]

Both of these emphasized the mandatory compliance with the EPR regime introduced under the Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016, as amended.

Who is Covered?

Under the 2024 amendment, the definition of “Importer” includes:

Any person importing plastic packaging, carry bags, plastic raw materials (including resins, pellets), or intermediate materials like films or preforms for use in plastic packaging.

Thus, all such importers are now mandatorily required to:

Register on the Centralized EPR Portal for Plastic Packaging
Submit proof of such registration at the time of customs clearance

Customs Compliance Procedure

CBIC has directed:

All Principal Chief Commissioners and Commissioners of Customs to sensitize officers within their jurisdiction.
Verification of EPR Registration must be done before clearing any consignment of plastic raw material.
This applies across all ports, ICDs, and air cargo complexes.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

Failure to register on the EPR portal or provide verifiable proof of registration may lead to:

Denial of clearance
Detention of goods
Possible penal action under customs laws and environmental regulations

What Importers Should Do

If you import plastic resins, pellets, sheets, or related intermediate goods:

Ensure you’re registered on the CPCB EPR Portal
Keep the valid registration certificate or number ready for customs documentation
Coordinate with your CHA and compliance consultant to ensure smooth clearance

Visit CPCB Portal for registration

Conclusion

This instruction reinforces the Government’s commitment to environmental sustainability, circular economy, and compliance-based facilitation. Importers must treat EPR compliance as a non-negotiable regulatory requirement in the evolving trade and environmental landscape.

In case you face any issues related to Indirect Tax-Customs, GST, Foreign Trade Policy (FTP), Arbitration matters and Central Licensing and related advisory matters in India then please feel free to get in touch with SJ EXIM Services.

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Source: CBIC, Ministry of Finance, Govt. of India

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