Myanmar Announces Transboundary Movement Procedure for Hazardous and Other Waste

On 24 October 2025, Myanmar’s Environmental Conservation Department (ECD) issued a directive reinforcing its transboundary waste procedures under Basel Convention compliance, clarifying documentation and licensing requirements for the import and export of recyclable and hazardous waste. The ECD, under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Conservation (MONREC), serves as both the national focal point and competent authority for implementing the Convention’s obligations. The regulatory notice reaffirms Myanmar’s prohibition on hazardous waste import and transit due to limited Environmentally Sound Management (ESM) capacity, while detailing the conditions under which non-hazardous recyclable materials may be imported and hazardous waste may be exported in compliance with the Basel Convention’s Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure.

On 7th June 2023, Myanmar formalized its approach through Notification No. 74/2023, which introduced the Procedure on Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and Other Wastes. This marked a significant milestone in aligning domestic policy with international environmental standards. The 2023 procedure set clear boundaries: the import and transit of hazardous waste were strictly prohibited due to the country’s limited capacity for ESM. E-waste imports were also banned, citing inadequate treatment infrastructure.

However, the framework allowed for the export of hazardous and recyclable waste, provided that companies complied with the Basel Convention’s Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure and submitted comprehensive documentation to the Environmental Conservation Department (ECD), Myanmar’s designated competent authority.

While general waste imports remained banned, the 2023 procedure introduced a conditional pathway for importing clean, homogenous plastic scrap that could be directly used as raw material. This exception applied only to facilities with valid environmental approvals—specifically, an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC), Environmental Management Plan (EMP), Initial Environmental Examination (IEE), or Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) issued by ECD.

To obtain an import license, companies must apply through the Myanmar TradeNet 2.0 system, and the Department of Trade will issue licenses only after receiving a recommendation from ECD. Additionally, the Ministry of Commerce publishes an annual Import Negative List, which outlines goods requiring import licenses—including recyclable waste materials.

Between 2019 and 2022—prior to the formalization of these requirements—Myanmar imported approximately 134,000 metric tons of recyclable plastic scrap, primarily from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Japan. These earlier imports occurred under less structured conditions but reflected the country’s careful engagement with regional material flows.

As of 2025, Myanmar continues to uphold its ban on general waste imports and transit. However, the regulatory framework has matured into a more structured and transparent system, as clarified by ECD’s directive issued on 24 October. While the policy on recyclable plastic scrap remains largely unchanged since 2023, the update consolidates and clarifies the documentation and eligibility criteria for import. Myanmar continues to permit the import of recyclable plastic scrap under strict conditions, reaffirming its commitment to environmental protection while supporting industrial inputs for domestic production especially the locally unavailable waste. Imports are permitted only if the materials are:

• Clean and homogenous
• Free from hazardous contamination
• Locally unavailable
• Ready to use as raw materials without generating residual waste
• Processed by facilities with valid ECC, EMP, IEE, or EIA approvals

Documentation Requirements for Import

(Recyclable Plastic Scrap and Other Non-Hazardous Scrap Materials)

To obtain an import license via the Myanmar TradeNet 2.0 system, companies must submit:

1. Company application with detailed import plans
2. Quantity, import period, country of origin, and route
3. Specifications and clear photographs of the materials
4. Laboratory test results to confirm absence of hazardous substances (not required for plastic raw materials)
5. Factory licenses and permits from relevant departments
6. Contract with the operating factory (if the importer does not own one)
7. Sales contract with the foreign supplier
8. Signed commitment that materials are clean, homogenous, and free from hazardous waste
9. Environmental approvals: ECC, EMP, IEE, or EIA issued by ECD-MONREC
10. Approval from the Union Minister’s Office, based on:

• • Site inspection report by ECD
  • Raw material needs stated in ECC/EMP/IEE/EIA

Documentation Requirements for Export

(Recyclable Plastic Scrap and Other Non-Hazardous Scrap Materials)

To export clean, homogenous recyclable materials, companies must submit:

1. Company application with detailed export plans
2. Quantity, export period, destination country, and route
3. Specifications and clear photographs of the materials
4. Laboratory test results (not required for plastic raw materials)
5. Factory licenses and permits from relevant departments
6. Sales contract with the foreign buyer
7. Signed commitment that materials are clean, homogenous, and free from hazardous waste
8. Environmental approvals: ECC, EMP, IEE, or EIA issued by ECD-MONREC
9. On-site inspection by regional ECD office
10. Approval from the Union Minister’s Office, based on:
    1. Site inspection report by ECD
    2. Compliance requirements and environmental recommendation by ECD

Documentation Requirements for Export of Hazardous Waste (Under Basel Convention Procedure)

In addition to the above, hazardous waste exports require:

• Notification to the competent authority of receiving country
• Purpose of Export
• Bank Insurance
• Sales Contract
• Waste Management
• Export License
• Final environmental recommendation from ECD

Export license issued after:

• Acceptance letter from the receiving country
• Prior Informed Consent (PIC) process completion

Environmental recommendation letter from ECD, distributed to:

• Department of Trade
• Customs Department
• Regional ECD offices

Myanmar’s transboundary waste policy has evolved from strict prohibition to a structured system that balances environmental safeguards with industrial needs. By formalizing procedures and enabling conditional imports and exports, the country demonstrates its commitment to responsible waste governance under the Basel Convention. As regional waste trade dynamics shift, Myanmar’s cautious but principled approach may serve as a model for other ASEAN nations navigating the complexities of sustainability and trade.