Plastic Imports & Sale
Barbados plastic-free in 2020! The Barbados government has placed a ban on single-use plastics. Importation of the products outlined below is prohibited:
Banned Products:
Explanatory Note:
The items are classified in accordance with their general tariff headings as outlined above, because the specific tariff headings will soon be changed to 11-digit denominations by the Customs Classification Committee. Therefore, it is expedient to use the general tariff headings as these remain unchanged, unlike the specific tariff headings which may change from time to time.
Exempted Products:
– Exemptions are subject to a license to be obtained from Ministry responsible for Commerce.
Single-use plastics used to maintain public health and for compliance with food safety standards, including packaging used by wholesalers and retailers to distribute raw meat (fresh, chilled or frozen), raw fish (fresh, chilled or frozen), flour, sugar, rice or baked goods;
Single-use plastics used for medical purposes, inclusive of equipment and protective gear;
Single-use plastics for veterinary purposes, inclusive of equipment and protective gear;
Single-use plastic bags designed for, packaged and retailed specifically for the disposal of waste from households, public places, business places, offices or industrial plants;
Single-use plastic bags distributed by airport authorities for health, safety and security purposes and contained in the luggage of a person travelling into or out of Barbados;
Single-use plastic bags or plastic wrap designed for storage of agricultural products, fresh fruit and vegetables, bags for containing samples used for analytical and scientific purposes;
Single-use plastic bags or wrap used for perishables or the preservation of food;
Single-use plastic bags that are clear / transparent, low density of 25-30 microns, including bags used by vendors in the sale and distribution of produce; such as fruits e.g. (nuts, grapes, plums, coconut slices, golden apple slices, mango slices, pineapple slices, watermelon slices, sugar cane, tamarinds, ackees, berries, cherries, dunks ‘fat pork’, cashews);
Single-use plastic bags that are clear / transparent, low density of 60-70 microns used to package fresh, chilled or frozen meat.
A tray made of polystyrene used for packaging of fresh, chilled or frozen meat, fish or processed fruit and vegetables, whether fresh, chilled, frozen or processed;
Drinking straws to be used only by persons with disabilities;
A plastic bag manufactured for export;
A plastic straw attached to a small tetra pak box; and
Coin and currency bags issued by financial institutions.
Note:
Exemptions are subject to a license to be obtained from Ministry responsible for Commerce.