Import Policy Trends for Industrial Metal Scrap and Metal-Bearing Waste in Southeast Asia

In recent years, the global flow of industrial metal scrap and electronic waste has undergone a significant shift. China was previously the primary destination for recyclable scrap materials from across the world. However, after Beijing began tightening and banning the import of various waste streams from 2018 onwards, Southeast Asian countries gradually became alternative destinations for these materials. This includes both industrial metal scrap and electronic waste, which contain recoverable industrial metals suitable for reprocessing but also present environmental and public health risks if not strictly regulated. As a result, regional governments are now required to balance the demand for secondary raw materials with the need to protect environmental quality and community safety.

Malaysia

Malaysia is one of the most notable examples of policy change in recent years. In the past, the country accepted substantial volumes of scrap imports from developed economies, including industrial metal scrap and electronic waste. However, the authorities soon recognized the growing challenges associated with managing such waste streams.

In early February 2026, Malaysia announced a complete ban on the importation of electronic waste, placing e-waste into a fully prohibited category that cannot be licensed under any import scheme. The decision was introduced as a preventive measure to avoid Malaysia becoming a global dumping ground for hazardous waste. Many imported electronic components were found to contain toxic substances such as lead, mercury and cadmium, posing long term environmental and health risks. The implementation of this policy has also been accompanied by stricter port inspections and the seizure of illegally imported shipments.

Even before the total ban on e-waste, Malaysia had already tightened regulatory controls over imported industrial metal scrap intended for manufacturing use. Import guidelines now require scrap materials to meet defined purity thresholds, eliminate hazardous impurities and comply with technical standards prior to entry. These additional requirements have resulted in longer customs clearance procedures and increased compliance obligations for importing firms.

Malaysia’s current policy direction indicates a growing priority toward managing high risk waste imports. In the near term, regulatory authorities are expected to expand oversight to other waste categories while gradually promoting domestic recycling capacity and circular economy initiatives rather than relying on imported scrap materials.

Thailand

Thailand presents a similar policy trajectory with certain distinctions. Following China’s tightening of waste import policies in the late 2010s, Thailand temporarily became an attractive destination for imported recyclable materials. However, by the early 2020s, the Thai government had begun introducing restrictions on multiple categories of electronic waste and hazardous scrap.

Authorities have repeatedly discovered shipments declared as industrial metal scrap that were later found to contain significant quantities of electronic waste and toxic components. In one notable incident during 2025, more than 200 tonnes of illegally imported e-waste were seized at Bangkok Port after being falsely declared as conventional metal scrap.

Thailand continues to permit imports of industrial metal scrap provided that environmental requirements are met. Importers must now demonstrate a clear origin of materials, confirm that shipments are free of hazardous contamination and ensure compliance with environmental and safety standards at receiving facilities.

The policy trend in Thailand is gradually shifting toward stronger control over both industrial scrap and electronic waste imports. This approach aims to reduce the burden of hazardous materials while improving domestic recycling capability and environmental protection measures.

Indonesia

Indonesia maintains a relatively complex regulatory framework for managing metal scrap and electronic waste imports, influenced by both environmental protection legislation and industrial raw material policies.

The importation of metal scrap that does not qualify as hazardous waste remains permissible under certain conditions. Scrap materials must not be mixed with other waste streams and must be used solely as feedstock for industrial production. This requires proper sorting, the removal of hazardous impurities and prior registration of importing facilities with competent authorities.

Indonesia is also a signatory to the Basel Convention, which governs the transboundary movement of hazardous waste. Under both Basel provisions and domestic law, importers must demonstrate that incoming materials are classified as clean scrap intended exclusively for manufacturing purposes.

Recent incidents involving radioactive contamination detected in imported scrap materials at an industrial park near Jakarta prompted authorities to enhance inspection protocols and review import permits for shipments suspected of posing elevated environmental risks.

Singapore

Unlike many of its regional counterparts, Singapore does not function as a large-scale importer of industrial metal scrap or electronic waste for processing. Nevertheless, the country maintains a highly stringent legal framework aligned with international environmental standards to regulate the import, export and transit of hazardous waste.

As a party to the Basel Convention, Singapore has incorporated its provisions into domestic law through a permit-based control system. Beginning in January 2025, all imports, exports and transit movements involving Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Used Electrical and Electronic Equipment must be approved through the TradeNet system and supported by a Basel Permit prior to shipment departure.

This regulatory process enables authorities to distinguish between used equipment intended for legitimate reuse and electronic waste requiring disposal, thereby preventing uncontrolled inflows of hazardous materials.

Singapore also requires clear inspection, classification and declaration procedures for metal scrap and metal-bearing waste shipments, ensuring transparency and minimizing the risk of becoming a processing hub for environmentally unsafe waste streams.

Vietnam

In recent years, Vietnam has introduced a series of measures aimed at strengthening control over imported scrap materials, including industrial metal scrap and electronic waste.

Decision No. 13/2023/QD-TTg established an updated list of scrap materials permitted for import as production inputs, including ferrous and non-ferrous metal scrap. This regulation replaced Decision 28/2020 and introduced clearer requirements regarding eligible scrap categories and environmental compliance conditions.

Vietnam has also issued updated National Technical Regulations such as QCVN 66:2024/BTNMT, which require imported non-ferrous metal scrap to undergo impurity removal, accurate HS classification and technical verification prior to customs clearance. These standards aim to ensure that imported materials do not contain prohibited substances or excessive hazardous contamination.

Regarding electronic waste, Vietnam prohibits the importation of discarded electronic products as waste. Only used electrical equipment intended for legitimate reuse may be imported under specific conditions in order to minimize environmental pollution from hazardous metals and chemical compounds.

Overall Regional Trends

Across all five countries examined, a consistent policy trend is emerging. Governments are strengthening regulatory oversight over industrial metal scrap and electronic waste imports by raising environmental standards, aligning with international agreements such as the Basel Convention and reducing exposure to hazardous waste streams.

Malaysia and Thailand are introducing stricter restrictions, including bans on certain electronic waste categories. Singapore continues to enforce rigorous Basel aligned permit controls. Indonesia is enhancing inspection procedures in response to contamination risks. Vietnam has issued more detailed technical standards to ensure environmentally safe scrap imports.

In the near future, policies in these jurisdictions are expected to evolve further toward restricting hazardous waste imports, encouraging domestic recycling capacity and increasing regional coordination on environmental compliance. This shift is likely to create a more complex regulatory landscape for companies operating within industrial metal scrap supply chains, requiring higher levels of transparency in material classification, documentation and trade practices.