In a significant step towards environmental protection, Pakistan has imposed a comprehensive ban on scrap imports of compressor scrap contaminated with hazardous materials, according to senior Customs officials. This legislative move aligns Pakistan with international environmental standards, particularly those outlined in the Basel Convention, aimed at controlling the movement of hazardous waste across borders.
The ban primarily targets scrap import of compressors, often arriving in Pakistan without proper dismantling and contaminated with substances such as oil, gas, and other dangerous liquids. These materials are classified as hazardous under Schedule-I of the Basel Convention, making their import a severe environmental risk. Senior officials from Customs have emphasized that these substances pose not only an ecological threat but also a health hazard to the general public.
Pakistan’s updated Customs tariff, under HS Code 8549, was introduced as part of the scrap import ban. This move is in line with the World Customs Organization’s Harmonised System 2022, and the regulations were first laid out in the Finance Bill 2023. In April 2024, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) officially enforced the ban through SRO 628, prohibiting the import of compressor scrap containing hazardous materials.
Customs officials highlighted that the new laws were crafted to close legal loopholes previously exploited by unscrupulous importers. These importers were responsible for bringing in scrap imports of compressors laden with toxic substances, which posed serious environmental and safety risks. While this legislation is a crucial step, industry experts warn that enforcement remains a challenge. They stress the importance of rigorous monitoring and implementation to prevent Pakistan from becoming a dumping ground for hazardous waste.
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Although the legal framework is now robust, sources suggest that illegal imports of contaminated compressor scrap continue due to weak enforcement mechanisms. Experts are calling for stricter oversight to ensure that Pakistan’s environmental safety is not compromised.
