Waste and Scrap Cargo

Any cargo intended for disposal, recycling or recovery must be booked as waste and must comply with the regulations governing its movement — the Basel Convention, the OECD Decision, and the waste legislation of every country on the route, including transit and transshipment countries. Batteries are of particular concern: a single cell that short-circuits inside a sealed container can start a fire that cannot be reached or extinguished at sea.

Waste classification, hazardous waste and dangerous goods are three separate tests. Cargo that is not hazardous waste may still require consent and may still be dangerous goods requiring a full declaration.

Mixed loose batteries with unprotected terminals. Chemistry cannot be determined by eye, and lithium cells must be assumed present unless every cell is documented.

E-waste

Any discarded equipment that depends on electric current to function, including its components and shredded fractions. All e-waste requires the prior written consent of all countries concerned, including transit and transshipment countries.

Book under: 001415 E-waste excluding batteries. E-waste including batteries, and batteries for disposal or recycling, must be booked under 002808 as dangerous goods, without exemption.

Metal scrap

Clean, uncontaminated metal scrap is generally green-listed, but this must be verified rather than assumed. Loads are regularly found to contain batteries - including lithium cells inside appliances, power tools and vehicle parts — as well as electronic items, capacitors, oils and sealed vessels. Contamination sets the classification for the whole container, however small a proportion of the load it represents. Non-waste status in the country of origin is not sufficient; it must hold in every country on the route.

Book under: 002313 Metal scrap excluding E-waste. Batteries or electronic items in the load must be booked separately — 002808 for batteries, as dangerous goods without exemption.

Plastic scrap

Only plastic that is almost free from contamination, sorted, and of a single polymer is green-listed. Mixed, contaminated and halogenated plastics require prior consent. Many destinations restrict or license plastic waste imports, and exports from the EU to non-OECD countries are prohibited from 21 November 2026.

Book under: 002811 Plastic waste / scrap

Waste paper

Generally green-listed, subject to the importing country's contamination thresholds, inspection and license requirements. Loads mixed with plastic film, laminates or general waste fall outside the paper classification.

Book under: 002803 Wastepaper

What we ask of you

• Confirm the contents of the container with your shipper in writing before booking. As the declaring party, you are accountable for the declaration.
• Book waste as waste, using the commodity code shown above for the stream concerned, with the consent or permit reference for the route.
• Declare any batteries or cells separately as dangerous goods, with the correct UN number and IMDG packing.

Misdeclared or undeclared cargo will be stopped, the environmental authorities in the countries concerned will be notified, and the charges set out in our Waste Cargo Bookings advisory will apply.

For any questions on a specific shipment, please contact your Maersk representative before booking. Our team is on standby to assist.