Waste Cargo Booking

Please be advised that any cargo intended for disposal, recycling, or similar purposes, must be booked as waste cargo.

What does this mean?

Under the Basel Convention, OECD, or EC resolution 1013/2006, waste cargo that is meant for disposal, recycling or similar purposes, can be classified as one the following categories:

• Green-listed waste (non-hazardous)
• Amber-listed waste (hazardous)

Important information regarding waste cargo

Green-listed waste does not generally require approval from Environmental Protection Agencies (EPAs). However, some countries (e.g. Uruguay and South Africa), require a valid permit for import, export, transit and transshipment.

Amber-listed waste requires prior approval from the EPAs of all countries concerned - including origin, transit, transshipment, and destination countries.

All bookings involving waste (hazardous or non-hazardous) must be clearly identified at the booking stage, using the correct Maersk commodity code (see below).
If you have doubts which one to use, please use 002810 - waste / scrap for recycling or disposal.

• 002808 – Battery waste for disposal or recycling
• 002811 – Plastic waste or recycling or disposal
• 002313 – Metal scrap excl. E-waste
• 002810 – Waste / scrap for recycling or disposal
• 002803 – Waste paper

Country specific rules

Please note that it is not sufficient that a material is not considered waste in the country of origin (e.g., the U.S. or South Korea). It must be recognized as non-waste in all countries enroute.

Additionally, please consider that some countries (e.g. China, Türkiye) may require import permit, import customs clearance or sales contract already at the booking stage, in the name of the parties of the future Bill of Lading.

The information provided herein is for general guidance only and is based on Maersk’s interpretation of applicabe international conventions and regulations. Regulatory authorities in different countries may interpret or apply such conventions and regulations differently, and requirements may change without notice.

Maersk does not warrant or guarantee that following the guidance or instructions herein will ensure compliance with all applicable laws or prevent penalties, fines, or losses in any jurisdiction.
Customers are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations in all relevant jurisdictions and are advised to seek independent legal or regulatory advice as needed.

Maersk specific rules

• Black mass
• E-scrap
• E-waste
• Furnace dust
• Lead acid batteries
• Lead concentrate, dust, powder
• Lead plates
• NCM (nickel - cobalt - manganese)
• Metal concentrates, dust, powder
• Plastic waste containing hazardous material
• Zinc concentrate, dust, powder

Consequences of misdeclaration on shipments

If a shipment is found to be mis-declared, undeclared, or booked without prior approval and complete transboundary documentation, we are obligated to notify the relevant EPAs in all involved countries. Please be aware that a misdeclaration fee of USD 5,000 will apply.

Any shipment that is rejected, held, returned, restowed, or subject to penalties, delays, or additional costs due to misdeclaration will be at the customer’s full expense. It is the customer’s responsibility to ensure all documentation is valid and submitted well in advance of booking confirmation.

Need assistance?

If you have any questions about hazardous cargo waste, please see our page on shipping of Dangerous Goods. For general assistance, please reach out to your local customer representative at Maersk. Our teams are standing by and ready to assist you.

We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring full compliance with international waste regulation, and look forward to working with you further, helping you connect your supply chain and logistics across the globe.