Be careful when exporting dismantled auto parts

According to the Law for the Recycling of End-of-Life Vehicle, end-of-life vehicles or dismantled vehicles (vehicle carcasses)* are considered to be “waste products” under the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law.

* Under the Law for the Recycling of End-of-Life Vehicle, “dismantled vehicles” are defined as those that remain (vehicle carcasses) after parts, materials and other usable items have been removed by dismantling the end-of-life vehicle.

Even if they are dismantled auto parts, attempting to export such parts without fulfilling the recycling obligation stated on the front page as a dismantling operator will constitute a violation of the Law for the Recycling of End-of-Life Vehicle and the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law as well as the administrative guidance, etc., conducted by a relevant government institution. Therefore, caution must be taken.

Examples of illegal acts

• Exporting half-cut cars without removing the airbags that have not been processed for in-vehicle operations.
• Exporting steering wheels without removing the airbags that have not been processed for in-vehicle operations.
• Dismantling end-of-life vehicles without reporting collection, delivery of dismantled vehicles, etc.

Additionally, consent of the Environment Minister is required for exporting “waste products.” Under the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law a violation will result in a penalty (imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 10,000,000 yen).

Be sure to comply with the Law for the Recycling of End-of-Life Vehicle and the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law so as to prevent the inappropriate exportation of dismantled automobile parts.

Ministry of Environment, Government of Japan