From April next year, the UK will impose a plastic packaging tax!

Restricting plastics and banning plastics has long been an important measure in the global promotion of sustainable development
.
As early as January 1 this year, in order to limit plastic products, the European Union has begun to levy a "plastic packaging tax"
.
Single-use plastic packaging is taxed at a rate of 0.
8 euros (about 6.
4 yuan) per kilogram
.

The UK followed suit with a new tax, the Plastic Packaging Tax, which will apply to businesses that manufacture or import certain finished plastic packaging materials, including UK and non-UK businesses/organisations
.
It will take effect on April 1, 2022
.

The new tax law will have a significant impact on a wide range of industries including (but not limited to) manufacturing, consumer goods, retail, food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics
.
Affected by this, Tesco, Asda and other online shopping platforms and large supermarkets have recently removed a large number of plastic products
.

The UK government has not yet confirmed whether the implementation of the tax code will proceed as planned, but the main provisions needed to enact the tax code are in place and further legislation is expected soon
.

According to the resolution, UK producers of plastic packaging, importers of plastic packaging, commercial customers of plastic packaging producers and importers, and consumers of plastic packaging goods in the UK are obliged to pay
.

However, producers and importers of small amounts of plastic packaging will receive tax exemptions to reduce the administrative burden that is disproportionate to the tax payable
.

Goods sold and/or produced that use a lot of plastic packaging on their way to consumers are likely to be affected by the new tax
.
For cross-border sellers, even a multinational company that does not manufacture in the UK, may need to pay/register for this tax whenever the packaged goods are brought into the UK
.

All businesses that manufacture or import plastic packaging are required to keep records of the packaging they manufacture or import so businesses can prove to HMRC if they need to register for the tax
.

The PPT will come into effect on April 1, 2022, and HMRC's portal to register and pay the PPT is expected to be available on April 1, 2022, the date the tax comes into effect
.
It is hoped that the relevant sellers can make adjustments as soon as possible to prepare for the arrival of the plastic packaging tax
.