What is the Verpackungsgesetz (Packaging Act)?
The German Packaging Act (Verpackungsgesetz – VerpackG) has two main objectives:
To reduce packaging waste
To make those who first place packaging on the market (Erstinverkehrbringer) financially responsible for collection and recycling
Supervisory body:
Zentrale Stelle Verpackungsregister (ZSVR) – Central Agency Packaging Register
Are you required to register in LUCID?
In most cases yes, if you commercially sell packaged goods to end consumers.
| Situation | Do you have to register? |
|---|---|
| You sell packaged products to end customers? | Yes |
| You use shipping boxes or cardboard parcels? | Yes |
| You use bags or wrapping paper when selling? | Yes |
| You only sell goods that you pack manually yourself? | If you are the first to place that packaging on the market, then yes |
This means:
Even very small shops or micro-sellers on Etsy, Amazon or eBay are usually obliged to register as soon as they ship packaged goods to private end users.
Website:
https://www.verpackungsregister.org
There you:
Choose your role/company type: Hersteller / Händler (producer / distributor)
Enter your business details (name, address, tax number, etc.)
Receive a registration number
You will get a confirmation by e-mail.
Your LUCID registration number must usually be shown in your imprint (Impressum) on your website / online shop.
In addition to registering, you must license your packaging with a duales System – a recycling scheme that organises the collection and recycling of sales packaging, for example:
| System name | Website |
|---|---|
| Der Grüne Punkt | gruener-punkt.de |
| Interseroh (e.g. “Lizenzero”) | lizenzero.de |
| Veolia | veolia.de |
You pay an annual licensing fee, based on:
The type of material (paper/cardboard, plastic, glass, etc.)
The total amount (in kilograms) you place on the market per year
You must file an annual Verpackungsmengen-Meldung (packaging quantities report):
Provide accurate figures for the packaging volumes you placed on the market in the previous year
Report these both via your LUCID account and to your contracted dual system
Deadline:
For the previous year, the usual deadline is 15 May of the following year.
| Infringement | Sanction |
|---|---|
| No registration in LUCID | Fines of up to €200,000 |
| No contract with a dual system | Fines + possible ban on selling |
| Listing products on Amazon/Etsy without a LUCID number | Seller account may be automatically blocked |
Since 2022, all major marketplaces (Amazon, Etsy, etc.) are obliged to check sellers’ LUCID numbers before allowing them to sell.
Note:
The editorial team of the website strives to provide accurate information based on careful research and several sources. However, mistakes may occur or information may be incomplete or subject to change. Therefore, please use this text as an initial orientation only and always consult tax advisors, chambers of commerce, the ZSVR or other competent authorities for binding and up-to-date guidance.
