Importer
A business that brings packaged goods or empty packaging into the UK from abroad. Importers are obligated under EPR to report and pay fees for all packaging they introduce to the UK market.
An importer under EPR for packaging is a business that brings packaged goods or unfilled packaging into the UK. Importers bear responsibility for all packaging associated with the products they import, as the overseas producer is outside UK regulatory jurisdiction.
Importer obligations include:
- Reporting all imported packaging by material type and weight through RPD
- Covering primary, secondary, and transit packaging on imported goods
- Paying applicable waste management fees
- Registering with a compliance scheme if above the thresholds
Importers must gather packaging data from overseas suppliers, which can be challenging. They should establish data-sharing agreements with their supply chain. Note that online marketplaces may take on importer obligations for goods sold through their platform by overseas sellers. For goods imported via transit packaging that is removed before sale, the importer reports this separately.
Related Terms
Obligated Producer
A business that meets the legal thresholds for packaging tonnage and turnover, m...
Brand Owner
A producer category under EPR referring to the business whose brand appears on p...
Online Marketplace
A digital platform that facilitates sales of packaged goods by third-party selle...
Compliance Scheme
An approved organisation that manages EPR obligations on behalf of obligated pro...
Transit Packaging
Packaging used to protect goods during transport and distribution, which is typi...
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