Oman to ban import of plastic bags

Oman has announced that it will ban the import of plastic bags in three months’ time.

Qais Yousef, Minister of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion, said the ban would be effective from January 1 next year.

Ministerial Decision No. 519/2022 states that companies, institutions and individuals are prohibited from importing plastic bags.

Breaching the ban will be punishable by a fine of RO1,000 ($2,597). The amount may be doubled for a repeat offence.

Oman’s Environment Authority introduced a ban on single-use plastic shopping bags on January 1 this year. Single-use bags were replaced with thicker 50-micron bags, which are provided free at most shops.

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