You order products abroad and sell them on? Then you need to take responsibility for the packaging you use. You can do this by commissioning a dual system to collect, sort and recycle your packaging. This is done via a license agreement that you conclude for your packaging - for example, via Lizenzero. You have then completely fulfilled your to-do's by registering and reporting data in the LUCID packaging register. Find out more.
Use our examples to find out which packaging you are responsible for:
You buy products abroad ex works
As an importer with an ‘ex-works contract’, you are responsible for the goods ex works, so you are accountable for all packaging brought into circulation and need a packaging licence for this:
- All packaging and packaging components that come to Germany with the product
- All other packaging that you still use yourself and add for further distribution
Note: In the case of imports, the contract determines the responsibilities. You should always clearly define the regulations with your trading partners to be on the safe side.
You buy products abroad and specify the ‘Delivered at place’ contract structure
Since in this case your foreign business partners act as importers, you are not legally responsible for the goods when they cross the border. However, you are responsible for the following packaging and need a packaging license for this:
- All other packaging that you still use yourself and add for further distribution
Also, important here: When importing, the contract design determines the responsibilities. You should therefore always set out the regulations clearly in the contract. As the final distributor, you have the obligation to provide evidence of the packaging and require proof from your foreign retailers that they have fulfilled their Packaging Act obligations. This also applies if you do not have to fulfil the licensing yourself.
You also sell products online
You can find detailed answers and examples on online retail here: The Packaging Act in online retail
You send goods to German companies like cinemas, hotels or hospitals
If your customers belong to the so-called equivalent sources (e.g. sports stadiums, cinemas, hospitals, hotels, etc.), they are also to be considered private end users; according to the German Packaging Act, you are therefore responsible for licensing the following packaging:
- all packaging (product and/or shipping packaging) that you fill yourself
Packaging licensing that can do more
How it works
Calculate licence fee
Enter your packaging volumes per material in our calculator.
If you don't know your volumes, our calculation tool can help.
Create a Lizenzero account
The next step is to create your customer account.
This will give you access to many great services that will make your life easier (e.g. volume download for LUCID).
Close licence
Select your payment method and confirm the conclusion of the contract. That's it!
Achieve more
We not only recycle your packaging and thus save large volumes of greenhouse gases and primary raw materials, but also renaturalise a piece of moorland under the motto ‘We want Moore’.
You can find all the information here.
Achieve more
We not only recycle your packaging and thus save large volumes of greenhouse gases and primary raw materials, but also renaturalise a piece of moorland under the motto ‘We want Moore’.
You can find all the information here.
