Under the EU Waste Shipments Regulation, businesses transporting waste within the EU, or to and from countries outside it, may need to provide additional information and documentation about their shipments.
Stena Line can support the transport of qualifying waste on applicable freight services across our network. Our Freight team can help you understand the transport requirements and booking process.
The EU Waste Shipments Regulation sets out rules for moving waste between countries, both within the EU and beyond its borders to third countries.
The updated regulation aims to make it easier for authorities to track where waste comes from, where it is going and how it will be managed when it reaches its destination.
It also introduces more digitalised procedures, making it easier for authorities to monitor shipments, prevent illegal waste transport and support responsible waste management.
If your business transports waste across borders, you’ll now need to complete a few extra steps before your shipment can travel, making sure the correct documentation and approvals are in place.
The requirements depend on the type of waste, its classification, where it’s coming from and its destination.
Some of the things that may be required of you are:
Stena Line is required to check that the appropriate transport documentation is in place before accepting waste for transport.
Preparing everything in advance can help avoid unnecessary delays.
One of the main changes is the introduction of the Digital Waste Shipment System (DIWASS).
This system allows waste shipment information and documents to be submitted and exchanged electronically, giving the relevant authorities greater visibility of waste movements.
Depending on your shipment and your role in the transport process, you may need to use DIWASS or provide information required under the relevant waste shipment procedures.
Under the EU Waste Shipments Regulation, Stena Line acts as a carrier, transporting qualifying waste on behalf of businesses across applicable freight routes.
As a carrier, Stena Line is responsible for checking the relevant transport documentation and meeting its obligations during the shipment.
The responsibility for arranging the necessary waste shipment notifications and approvals rests with the designated notifier, which may be the waste producer, collector or an authorised dealer or broker.
However, it should be noted that not all waste types or routes are necessarily eligible. Whether we can carry a shipment depends on the waste classification, applicable regulations, route and transport requirements.
If you are uncertain, our Freight team can discuss your shipment and help you understand the information needed before booking.
We recommend reading our FAQs(link to be inserted), or contacting our Freight team if you have any other questions.
We’ll help you establish whether your shipment can be carried on the intended route and explain any additional transport or booking requirements.
For more information about the regulation and its requirements, visit the European Commission’s official guidance.
The EU Waste Shipments Regulation sets out rules for transporting waste across borders, both within the EU, and to and from countries outside it.
The updated regulation is designed to improve the monitoring of waste shipments, prevent illegal transport and ensure waste is managed responsibly.
It also introduces digital procedures to make waste shipments easier for authorities to track.
The EU wants greater transparency over where waste is transported and what happens to it when it reaches its destination.
The regulation aims to prevent illegal waste shipments, reduce environmental harm and support the safe recovery and recycling of waste.
The updated EU Waste Shipments Regulation entered into force on 20 May 2024, with most provisions applying from 21 May 2026.
Some requirements are being introduced in stages, including additional rules on waste exports that apply from 2027.
The requirements that apply to your shipment will depend on its classification, origin, destination and date of transport.
If you’re transporting waste across borders, you may need to provide additional information or documentation before your shipment can travel.
The requirements depend on the type of waste being transported and the countries involved.
You can contact our Freight team to discuss your shipment and any additional booking requirements.
Depending on your shipment, you may need to provide:
Additional information may be required depending on the waste and route.
The documents you’ll need depend on the type of waste you’re transporting, its destination and how it will be treated.
There are two main documentation procedures:
You’ll need to ensure the correct documents are completed, any necessary approvals are in place and the documentation is available before your shipment can travel.
Our Freight team can explain the documentation requirements for transporting qualifying waste on our services.
The responsibility for notifying the relevant authorities rests with the designated notifier. Depending on the shipment, this may be the waste producer, collector or an authorised dealer or broker acting on their behalf.
Stena Line acts as the carrier and does not normally submit waste shipment notifications on behalf of customers.
You’ll need to make sure any required notifications and approvals are completed before your shipment can travel.
Some waste shipments may require additional checks or information before a booking can be confirmed.
Stena Line will not introduce any additional fees as a result of the new EU Waste Shipments Regulation.
DIWASS stands for Digital Waste Shipment System.
It’s an EU system used to submit and exchange waste shipment information and documentation electronically.
The system helps authorities monitor waste movements and improves the traceability of shipments across borders.
You may need to use DIWASS to provide information and documents about your waste shipment. This depends on the type of waste you’re transporting and your role in the process.
Stena Line is also required to use DIWASS as a carrier, but customers must make sure the correct documents and approvals are in place before travelling.
Most provisions of the updated EU Waste Shipments Regulation have applied since 21 May 2026.
Some requirements are being introduced in stages, and transitional arrangements may apply to certain shipments and documentation procedures.
We recommend checking the requirements that apply to your shipment and the countries involved before arranging transport.
Stena Line can support qualifying waste shipments on applicable freight services.
Whether a particular waste type can be transported depends on its classification, the route and the relevant legal and operational requirements.
For full details on what types of waste can be transported, we recommend consulting information about the current EU rules.
The EU Waste Shipments Regulation applies according to the countries involved and the type of waste being transported.
As Stena Line operates routes connecting EU and non-EU countries, different requirements may apply depending on your journey.
Not every waste type can necessarily be transported on every service.
Yes. Waste shipments between the EU and the UK are subject to cross-border waste shipment controls.
The requirements depend on the type of waste being transported, the direction of travel and the countries involved. Different arrangements may also apply to shipments involving Northern Ireland.
If you’re planning to transport waste between the EU and the UK, we recommend checking the relevant requirements before booking. For those seeking more information, the Commission has published a Brexit Readiness Notice for Waste Shipments.
If the required documentation is missing, incomplete or incorrect, Stena Line may be unable to accept your shipment for transport.
The relevant authorities may also inspect shipments and delay or suspend transport until the necessary documentation has been provided.
To avoid disruption, we recommend checking that all required documents and approvals are in place before making your booking.
Customers should ensure their waste is correctly classified and that the necessary documentation, notifications and approvals are in place.
Stena Line can discuss the transport and booking requirements for applicable services, but customers remain responsible for meeting their own legal obligations.
Stena Line can explain the transport documentation and booking requirements for qualifying waste shipments on our services.
However, the designated notifier is responsible for arranging the necessary notifications, approvals and supporting documentation.
Stena Line will carry out the checks and documentation procedures required of it as the carrier.
An Annex VII document is a form used to record information about certain waste shipments transported across borders, particularly non-hazardous waste being sent for recycling, or other recovery operations.
It includes details of the waste, the businesses involved, its origin and destination, and how it will be treated. Customers arranging these shipments must ensure the document is correctly completed and available for transport.
Yes. Our Freight team can discuss your requirements, help establish whether your waste can be carried on an applicable service and explain the relevant booking process.
If you’re planning a waste shipment, contact us before booking.