Application for Registration

Who should register?

A person who carries on a retail business at-

1. 5 or more qualified retail outlets in Hong Kong; or  
2. at least one qualified retail outlet in Hong Kong that has a retail floor area of not less than 200 square metres.

A "qualified retail outlet" is one that offers all of the following categories of goods for sale-

i) any food or drink;

ii) any medicine or first-aid item; and 

iii) any personal hygiene or beauty product.

The person who carries on a retail business that fulfills either item a) or b) above is a "prescribed retailer", and shall register under the levy scheme.

Why register?

A prescribed retailer shall register his qualified retail outlet as registered retail outlet, otherwise no plastic shopping bag shall be provided directly or indirectly to a customer from his qualified retail outlet.

How to register?

A prescribed retailer, or a person who proposes to be a prescribed retailer, may apply for registration as a registered retailer in respect of a qualified retail outlet by making an application to the EPD using the "Application for Registration as Registered Retailer / Registered Retail Outlet" form (Form PSB-1).

When to apply for registration?

In line with our performance pledge, for new registration made by a prescribed retailer, the retailer should submit the application at least 21 working days before the commencement of his business. For registration made by a registered retailer in respect of a new retail outlet, the retailer should submit the application at least 10 working days before the opening of the new outlet.

How to obtain the application form?

• Click here to download the form.
   
• A request for the registration form can be made through e-mail to psb@epd.gov.hk or by post to "Environmental Protection Department, 28/F., Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong" (Attn.: Plastic Shopping Bags Levy Scheme). In the request, please state the retailer's name, contact telephone number, correspondence address and the number of registration form required. 

How to submit the application?

• By Post: The completed registration form together with copy(ies) of relevant document(s) can be sent by post to: 

	Address: Environmental Protection Department, 28/F., Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong.  Attention: Plastic Shopping Bags Levy Scheme

• By hand: The completed registration form together with copy(ies) of relevant document(s) can be submitted by hand during office hours (Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:00pm) to EPD Offices.
   
• By e-application:  Click here for details.

Outcome of the application

Upon determination of an application, the prescribed retailer will be notified in writing of the outcome of his application and will be issued with a "Certificate of Registration" if his application is successful.

No plastic shopping bags shall be provided to customers of a qualified retail outlet before it is formally registered; failing to do so is an offence liable to prosecution.  The effective date of registration is printed on  the “Certificate of Registration” and upon that day, all plastic shopping bags provided to customers from the registered retail outlet shall be subject to levy.

If the registered new retail outlet needs to commence its business (and distribute PSBs) before the effective date of registration as stated in the “Certificate of Registration”, the registered retailer should inform the EPD immediately but in any case not later than the actual business commencement date.  The registered retailer shall inform the EPD the revised business commencement date through email (at psb@epd.gov.hk) or by fax (2305-0453) without recourse to a new application.

Failure to register

A prescribed retailer who does not register with the EPD or a registered retailer who does not register his new qualified retail outlet but provides plastic shopping bags to a customer from his qualified retail outlet, commits an offence and is liable upon conviction-

1. to a maximum fine of $100,000 on the first occasion; and
    
2. to a maximum fine of $200,000 on each subsequent occasion.