Packaging License Comparison
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Packaging License Calculator
Compare packaging license costs for your volumes across all providers
Which Packaging Requires a License?
In general, you need a license for all packaging that you place on the market (as the first party bringing it into circulation) and that typically ends up as waste with the end consumer after use.
Typical packaging subject to licensing includes:- Sales / product packaging
- Shipping packaging
- Non-pre-licensed service packaging
A detailed overview of packaging subject to licensing is provided by the Central Agency Packaging Register (ZSVR) on their website: Link to the overview of the ZSVR
How Do You Calculate Your Annual Quantity?
Determine the weight of all packaging materials still subject to licensing that you place on the market in the current calendar year. Even if you acquire a license in November, for example, it generally only applies to the current calendar year.
- Remaining quantities of already licensed but not yet circulated packaging cannot be carried over to the next license year with some providers.
- Round to whole kg: Many providers only offer licenses in full kg increments.
- Estimate annual quantity: Some providers offer refunds of already paid license fees if quantities are later reduced during the year.
Overview of Material Categories
Mainly bottles, flacons, ampoules, and other product containers made of glass.
All packaging made of paper or corrugated board, primarily shipping boxes or outer packaging for products. Parchment paper and wax paper products also fall into this category.
Packaging made of steel and iron sheets, commonly used in tin cans, beverage cans, crown caps, or metal tubes.
Typical aluminium packaging includes aerosol cans as well as foils, closures, and other cans with a minimum aluminium content of 99%.
Primarily retail packaging made of plastic, films, adhesive tapes, as well as shipping packaging such as polystyrene, bubble wrap, or other foam filling materials. Bioplastics are also included.
Packaging for beverages, milk, or ready-made sauces, often referred to as Tetra Pak or liquid cartons. In addition to cardboard, these composites contain aluminium or plastic for insulation and preservation. Packaging is classified as a beverage carton if none of the composite materials makes up more than 95% of the packaging.
All other composite packaging that is not a beverage carton. These are packages made of at least 2 different materials that cannot be separated by hand (e.g. coatings or bonded layers) — but not beverage packaging. Again, no single material may exceed 95% of the packaging. Examples include frozen or vacuum packaging.
Other natural materials such as wood, cork, (tree) cotton, jute, linen, rubber, clay, ceramics, porcelain, or stoneware.