Declare exports of waste

Before you export, you need to declare each consignment:

Declarations made in our WELD portal accept one Australian Harmonised Export Commodity Classification (AHECC) code only. If a consignment includes more than one AHECC code, make a separate declaration for each code.

Declarations can be made by:

  • a nominated agent or freight forwarder
  • the contact person in the licence holder’s organisation
  • a person nominated in a licence application as being in management or control.

It is your responsibility to check importing country requirements. Your exports may also need to meet Australia’s hazardous waste requirements.

Find out about fees and charges.

Waste Plastics Export List

If you have met the requirements and intend to export waste plastic that appears on the Waste Plastics Export List, you need to let us know before you export.

Make a declaration in the WELD portal

Only make a declaration when you are certain of the details you will enter into the declaration form.

Once submitted, you can’t change or update a declaration.

Information you need

To make a declaration, you need:

  • the name of the licence holder
  • your waste export licence number if you have one
  • your waste export exemption number if you have one
  • the AHECC code for your regulated waste material. The code must match the code you will use in the Integrated Cargo System (ICS)
  • the weight (in kilos) or quantity of the waste material. Measure the quantity when the consignment has been loaded in the container (do not include the weight of the container)
  • value of the waste material
  • name, address, phone number and website of the importer
  • if you’re not exporting tyres for retread or re-use, the name of the specification/s the waste material has been processed to
  • if exporting tyres for retread or re-use, the facility name, and description of how they are packed
  • destination country
  • intended use of the waste material.

Make a declaration

Make a declaration through our WELD portal when you have a licence.

Before you can make a declaration, you need to be registered with us through the portal.

You can enter only one AHECC code per declaration. If your consignment includes more than one AHECC code, make a separate declaration for each code.

Complete all fields.

Log into the Waste Export Licensing and Declaration portal

Once you make your declaration you will be provided with a permit number. The permit number will start with either:

  • WEN – waste export number
  • WEX – waste export exemption number if you have an exemption.

Find your permit number by selecting ‘View my declarations’ in your portal.

You need this number to make your declaration in the ICS. Permit numbers can be used once only and are valid for 30 days.

If you provide false or misleading information in your declaration, you may be subject to a civil penalty or a criminal offence. Find out more about how to comply.

If you provide invalid information, you will get an error and you will need to make a new declaration.

Troubleshoot declaration errors

Find out how to troubleshoot declaration errors.

Keep records

You must make and keep records for each consignment. You must also keep other records relating to your licence.

Find out the records you must keep.

Make a declaration in the Integrated Cargo System (ICS)

To make a declaration in the ICS you need:

  • your permit number
  • information required by the Australian Border Force.

Find out more about lodging export declarations in the Integrated Cargo System.

Australian Harmonised Export Commodity Classification (AHECC) codes

You need to select the AHECC codes for your product when you declare your consignment in both:

The following table lists the AHECC codes for tyre waste.

Waste type AHECC Description Unit

Tyre derived fuel (TDF) - tyre shred <150mm

40040001

Waste, parings and scrap of rubber (other than hard rubber) and powders and granules obtained therefrom suitable for combustion for use as tyre derived fuel.

 KG

Tyre crumbs, buffings or granules

40040002

Waste, parings and scrap of rubber (other than hard rubber) and powders and granules obtained therefrom processed into crumbs, buffings or granules, unsuitable for combustion as tyre derived fuel.

 KG

Other waste paring and scrap of rubber

40040003

Waste, parings and scrap of rubber (other than hard rubber) and powders and granules obtained therefrom; except for those covered by codes 40040001 and 40040002.

 KG

Used pneumatic tyres from buses, lorries or aircraft

40122001

Used pneumatic tyres intended to be retreaded, of a kind used on buses, lorries or aircraft.

 Number

Used pneumatic tyres from motor cars

40122002

Used pneumatic tyres intended to be retreaded, of a kind used on motor cars (including station wagons and racing cars).

 Number

Other used pneumatic tyres

40122003

Used pneumatic tyres intended for re-use, except for those covered by codes 40122001 and 40122002.

 Number

The following table lists the AHECC codes for phase 2 waste plastics. Phase 2 waste plastic is waste, parings and scrap of a single thermoplastic material transformed into primary forms. Primary forms include:

  • liquids and pastes, including dispersions (emulsions and suspensions) and solutions
  • blocks of irregular shape, lumps, powders (including moulding powders), granules, flakes and similar bulk forms.

The following table lists the AHECC codes for phase 2 waste plastics.

Waste type AHECC Description Unit

Polymers of ethylene, in primary forms:

 

39011000

- Polyethylene having a specific gravity of less than 0.94

 KG

39012000

- Polyethylene having a specific gravity of 0.94 or more

 KG

Polymers of propylene or of other olefins, in primary form:

39021000

- Polyethylene

 KG

Polymers of styrene, in primary forms:

 

 

- Polystyrene:

  

39031100

- Expansible

 KG
39031900 - Other KG
39033000 - Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymers KG
Polymers of vinyl chloride or of other halogenated olefins, in primary forms: 39041000 - Poly(vinyl chloride), not mixed with any other substance KG
  - Other poly(vinyl chloride):  
39042100 - Non-plasticised KG
39042200 - Plasticised KG
39044000 - Other vinyl chloride copolymers KG
Acrylic polymers in primary forms: 39061000 - Poly(methyl methacrylate) KG
39074000 - Polycarbonates KG
  - Poly(ethylene terephthalate):  
39076100 - Having a viscosity number of 78 ml/g or higher KG
39076900 - Other KG
39079100 - Unsaturated KG
Polyamides in primary forms: 39081000 - Polyamide-6, -11, -12, -6,6, -6,9, -6,10 or -6,12 KG
39095000 - Polyurethanes KG

The following table lists the AHECC codes for phase 1 waste plastics. From 1 July 2022 you must have an exemption to export under these codes.

Waste type AHECC Description Unit

Low density polyethylene (LDPE, LLDPE)

39151001

Waste, parings and scrap of polymers of ethylene with a specific gravity of <0.94 (excluding those of a single thermoplastic material, transformed into primary forms)

 KG

High density polyethylene (HDPE)

39151002

Waste, parings and scrap of polymers of ethylene with a specific gravity of >0.94 (excluding those of a single thermoplastic material, transformed into primary forms)

 KG

Expanded polystyrene (EPS)

39152001

Waste, parings and scrap of polymers of styrene expanded (excluding those of a single thermoplastic material, transformed into primary forms)

 KG

Polystyrene (PS), extruded polystyrene (XPS), rigid polystyrene and other polystyrenes

39152002

Waste, parings and scrap of polymers of styrene (excluding of polymers of styrene expanded and those of a single thermoplastic material, transformed into primary forms)

 KG

Unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (uPVC)

39153001

Waste, parings and scrap of polymers of vinyl chloride unplasticised (excluding single thermoplastic material, transformed into primary forms)

 KG

Plasticised polyvinyl chloride (pPVC)

39153002

Waste, parings and scrap of polymers of vinyl chloride (excluding those of polymers of vinyl chloride unplasticised and of a single thermoplastic material, transformed into primary forms)

 KG

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET)

39159093

Waste, parings and scrap of polymers of ethylene terephthalate (excluding those of a single thermoplastic material, transformed into primary forms)

 KG

Polypropylene (PP)

39159094

Waste, parings and scrap of polymers of propylene (excluding those of a single thermoplastic material, transformed into primary forms)

 KG

Note that 3915 codes do not apply to waste, parings and scrap of a single thermoplastic material transformed into primary forms. Primary forms include:

  • liquids and pastes, including dispersions (emulsions and suspensions) and solutions
  • blocks of irregular shape, lumps, powders (including moulding powders), granules, flakes and similar bulk forms.

For waste plastic that is processed into primary forms, use codes 3901-3914.

Primary form codes are available from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. See chapter 39.

The following table lists the AHECC codes for processed engineered fuel.

Waste type AHECC Description Unit

Processed engineered fuel

38251001

Processed engineered fuel

 T

The following table lists the AHECC codes for waste glass.

Waste type AHECC Description Unit

Furnace-ready glass

70010001

Glass in the mass, other waste and scrap of glass, processed into furnace-ready fines and/or cullet (e.g. ready to be re-melted and made into a new product)

 KG

Non-furnace-ready glass

70010002

Glass in the mass, other waste and scrap of glass, processed into non-furnace-ready fines and/or cullet (e.g. ready for use as filtration or construction media)

 KG