▲ Copper scrap intercepted by the Busan Main Customs while being smuggled to China in August 2024.
To prevent the illegal overseas export of recyclable waste such as copper scrap and electronic waste, authorities will now require mandatory reporting for scrap metal exports.
The Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment announced that it will issue an administrative notice starting tomorrow for amendments, including the "Notice on Items Subject to Transboundary Movement of Waste."
Once the amendments take effect, scrap metal and non-ferrous metals, which currently do not require reporting for import or export, will be subject to mandatory export reporting.
Copper scrap is used as a material for electrical wires, pipes, construction materials, and electronic products, while electronic waste allows for the recovery of permanent magnets and rare earth elements.
There have been cases where copper scrap was disguised as scrap metal and smuggled to China, causing supply shortages and difficulties for domestic manufacturers.
The amendments are scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2025.
(Photo: Yonhap News)
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