India tightens “liberal” scrap metal import controls

From that date, the country will require imports of unshredded metallic scrap to be through registered overseas suppliers, imported through 26 designated ports.

” We don’t want to curb imports of ferrous or non-ferrous scrap because we depend on it, but we can’t permit live or spent weapon-grade material. “
– Neeraj Kumar Gupta, Indian Ministry of Commerce & Industry
But the scheme applies only to ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metals, and the Indian government has insisted it is not aiming to reduce the flow of scrap into India or deter “bona fide exporters”.

The Bureau of International Recycling's Non-Ferrous Metals Round Table in Brussels this week saw Neeraj Kumar Gupta of India's Ministry of Commerce & Industry explaining that the registration scheme was being set up to prevent explosives entering the country within scrap metal.

India operated a generally liberal import regime but was implementing the registration system in a bid to prevent arms, ammunition, mines, shells, cartridges or any other explosive material from entering the country in consignments of scrap, he explained.

This was the government’s response to earlier explosions and loss of life (see letsrecycle.com story). “We don’t want to curb imports of ferrous or non-ferrous scrap because we depend on it, but we can’t permit live or spent weapon-grade material,” explained Mr Gupta.

Registering
To become registered, scrap metal suppliers are being required to provide proof of their financial and business standing, including details of membership of major recycling organisations such as BIR.

Information provided by applicants would be used solely for the purpose of registration, insisted Mr Gupta.

The Indian government is considering whether to introduce some form of exemption for scrap imports that have been compacted, baled or pelletised by hydraulic pressing. It is looking into whether allowing high-seas sales will weaken control procedures.

Mr Gupta suggested that unintentional loading of a small amount of unwanted munitions scrap would be seen as “not a crime, but a slip”, and would not lead automatically to disqualification of the exporter. And he reiterated: “We don’t want to close doors to people who can supply us with scrap.”