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Packaging obligations in Latvia (2026)

Verified on: 2026-09-01

Draft
1 documented obligationAuthorised representative: depends on situation2 Providers →
Legal framework (EU & national)
EU framework: 
PPWR (EU) 2025/40, applicable since 12 Aug 2026
National: 
Iepakojuma likums (Packaging Law) and Dabas resursu nodokļa likums (Natural Resources Tax Law, DRN; packaging rates in Annex 7, mandatory system participation from 300 kg/year in Art. 8(1.2), double tax rate for breaches in Art. 8(1.3)) together with Cabinet of Ministers regulations; supervision: Valsts vides dienests (VVD, State Environmental Service), tax administration: Valsts ieņēmumu dienests (VID, State Revenue Service)

Latvia does not work with a producer register but through the natural resources tax (DRN): exemption is available only through participation in the extended producer responsibility system (RAS) – by contract with a licensed Apsaimniekotājs (waste management operator) or through an own system approved by the VVD. The VVD makes clear that Latvia currently issues NO EPR/PPWR registration numbers; the national PPWR framework is still in preparation, and until then the existing law applies. The deposit system for beverage packaging (mandatory participation from 150 kg of deposit packaging/year) is a separate topic.

Packaging EPR via the natural resources tax (DRN) & RAS participation (Latvia)

An Iepakotājs (packer) is anyone who places packaged goods on the market in Latvia for the first time or adds packaging – according to the VVD expressly including foreign companies selling at a distance to Latvian customers. From 300 kg of packaging waste per calendar year, participation in the RAS system is mandatory (contract with a licensed Apsaimniekotājs or an own system); this exempts from the natural resources tax. Below that, it is sufficient to keep records and pay the DRN to the VID.

Authorised representativedepends on situation
DeadlinesDRN quarterly report in the VID EDS by the 20th of the month following the quarter, payment by the 23rd; annual filers (tax up to €142.29/year) by 20 Jan. The RAS exemption does not apply retroactively – conclude the contract in good time before the start of the year/quarter.
CostsDRN rates per material are set out in Annex 7 of the DRN Law (EUR/kg; current amounts available only via likumi.lv/VID – deliberately not quantified here). With RAS participation instead of the tax: contractual fees of the Apsaimniekotājs (Zaļā josta advertises '100% DRN exemption'). In the event of a breach of the obligation: double DRN rate, fourfold for deposit packaging.

Your to-dos

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Why does this affect me cross-border?
According to the VVD, the same obligations apply to foreign online sellers as to Latvian companies. A particularity: Latvia currently issues no EPR registration numbers – in practice, the Apsaimniekotājs contract or the entry in the VVD list of DRN-exempt companies serves as evidence towards marketplaces. Anyone who, despite the obligation (from 300 kg/year), does not participate in the RAS system pays the DRN at double the rate (for deposit packaging: fourfold).
Required documents
  • Packaging records (uzskaite) per material and quarter
  • Apsaimniekotājs contract or VVD exemption evidence
  • Written power of attorney of the authorised representative in Latvia (if used)
Sources & verification status

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Legal information, not legal advice. The linked official sources prevail; data marked “draft” has not been finally verified.