Oman to Enforce Strict Plastic Bag Import Ban Starting September 1, 2024
Muscat: Oman is set to implement a rigorous ban on plastic bag imports from September 1, 2024, in a concerted effort to combat plastic pollution. The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP), in collaboration with Oman Customs, issued a circular detailing the ban on various ethylene polymer products, including shopping bags, waste bags, food packaging, and medical use bags. The initiative aims to bolster environmental protection and regulatory compliance across Oman’s industrial and commercial sectors. Starting July 1, 2024, Oman initiated the first phase of its ban on single-use plastic carry bags, beginning with restrictions in pharmacies, hospitals, and clinics, and prohibiting bags thinner than 50 microns. The second phase, effective January 1, 2025, will extend the ban to include textile stores, apparel shops, and various other retail establishments. Violators of the ban face fines ranging from 50 to 1000 Omani Rials, as authorities work towards a comprehensive eradication of plastic shopping bags in the country.
