Rohit runs a small import business in Delhi, bringing in plastic bottles and containers for local manufacturers. His routine was simple—place the order, share the BL copy, and clear the shipment through his CHA.
But this time, the customs officer asked him for something he had never heard of:
“Sir, please provide your EPR Registration Number.”
Rohit assumed this rule applied only to big FMCG companies. Instead, his shipment was held for five days, and demurrage began piling up. Only after calling multiple consultants did he learn that importers of any plastic or goods packed in plastic must have an EPR Certificate.
If you’re an importer dealing with anything involving plastic, this guide explains exactly how to obtain your EPR Certificate smoothly and avoid the stress Rohit went through.
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for plastics is a legal requirement under India’s Plastic Waste Management Rules. It ensures that any business introducing plastic into the Indian market takes responsibility for its end-of-life collection and recycling.
For importers, this means:
…you must obtain an EPR Certificate by registering on the central CPCB Plastic EPR Portal.
Without this registration, customs officers have the authority to hold shipments until you provide your EPR number.
Based on the Plastic Waste Management Rules and CPCB procedures, the following importers must obtain EPR Certification:
Such as bottles, pouches, films, laminates, caps, lids, and containers.
Anything packed using:
Even if the product itself is metal, wood, or electronic—the packaging triggers EPR.
Including resins, pellets, preforms, or rolls.
If you import plastic under your trade name and sell it in India, you fall under PIBO (Producer–Importer–Brand Owner) obligations.
In short:
If your import introduces plastic waste into the Indian market, you must register.
Customs officers verify:
If the EPR number is missing, incorrect, or “application pending,” the shipment may be held.
This leads to:
Most importers only learn this after their first shipment is stopped.
Below is the importer-specific document list required during the CPCB EPR Portal registration:
| Document | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Company PAN | Mandatory |
| GST Certificate | Mandatory |
| CIN (Company) | Mandatory for registered companies |
| IEC (Import Export Code) | Mandatory for importers |
| PAN & Aadhaar of Authorized Signatory | Mandatory |
| Registered Business Address | Must match GST |
| Cover Letter | On company letterhead |
| Signature Scan | To be uploaded digitally |
| Plastic Packaging Details | Type and estimated quantity |
| Plastic Consumption Data (last 2 years) | If applicable |
| DIC or factory consents | Only if you manufacture in India |
This list is exactly what CPCB expects during online registration.
This process reflects the actual CPCB registration flow on the plastic EPR portal.
You begin by registering your business on the central Plastic EPR Portal.
This includes:
The portal contains four sections:
You must declare:
Importers must furnish:
This includes:
Upload PDFs and images for:
Everything must match the details in the application—CPCB rejects mismatches frequently.
| Annual Plastic Waste (TPA) | Registration Fee |
|---|---|
| Less than 1,000 TPA | ₹10,000 |
| 1,000 – 10,000 TPA | ₹20,000 |
| More than 10,000 TPA | ₹50,000 |
Expected approval time (real-world): 7–25 working days.
Once approved, the system generates:
This number is what customs requires for clearance.
Your targets depend on:
You meet your targets by:
Every year, you must file an EPR Annual Return demonstrating compliance.
A Mumbai-based importer brought in haircare products packed in multilayered pouches. He assumed the brand owner was responsible for recycling.
But because he imported under his own IEC, he was considered the PIBO.
The shipment was flagged:
This is a common scenario faced by plastic importers today.
| Plastic Waste Slab | Registration Fee | Renewal Fee |
|---|---|---|
| <1,000 TPA | ₹10,000 | ₹10,000 |
| 1,000–10,000 TPA | ₹20,000 | ₹20,000 |
| >10,000 TPA | ₹50,000 | ₹50,000 |
| Import Type | EPR Needed? | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Empty plastic jars | Yes | You introduce plastic material |
| Electronics packed in plastic | Yes | Plastic packaging enters Indian market |
| Plastic pellets/resins | Yes | Plastic material enters India |
| Goods without plastic packaging | No | No plastic introduced |
| Goods in biodegradable packaging | No | Not regulated under PWM |
Most importers discover EPR only after facing a customs delay. Early registration protects your business from:
With India tightening plastic waste regulations, EPR is no longer optional—it’s a fundamental import compliance requirement.
If your business relies on smooth imports, the safest decision is to complete EPR registration before your next shipment arrives.
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Book a Consultation with Green Permits and get your EPR registration done without delays.
An EPR certificate proves that you are registered with CPCB and have taken responsibility for managing and recycling the plastic you import into India.
Yes. If you import any kind of plastic packaging or products with plastic components, EPR registration is mandatory before bringing them into India.
You’ll need basic company details (GST, PAN, CIN), import data for the last two years, plastic packaging category details, and KYC of the authorized person.
You register on the CPCB portal, upload documents, enter your past import data, pay the fees, and wait for approval. The system usually takes 15–30 working days to validate your application.
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The fee depends on your annual plastic generation category, but most importers pay between ₹5,000 to ₹50,000, plus annual processing fees.
