If you want to transport controlled waste (commercial, industrial and household waste) as a commercial venture, you will need to register as a waste carrier.
When do you not need to register as a waste carrier?
You do not need to register as a waste carrier if you:
- transport waste that you produced yourself, unless it is building or demolition waste
- move waste between different places on your own site
- export waste by sea or air from the UK to outside the UK
- import waste from outside the UK into the UK, and the waste is transported directly to its final location before being landed (once the waste is transported by land, eg by train or lorry, you will need to register).
Check our guidance on waste carrier exemptions to find out if any other exemptions apply to you.
All businesses can register as waste carriers, including self-employed individuals, partnerships, companies or other types of organisation. You will still need to register if carrying waste is not your main business activity or if you only carry waste occasionally.
If you do not register and you carry waste then you could be prosecuted.
In this guideline:
Waste carriers - what do you need to do?
Waste carrier exemptions
Waste carriers charges
Waste carriers further information
Waste carriers legislation
