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Are plastic bags illegal in China?

Partly. Plastic bags are restricted in China. Ultra-thin bags banned since 2008; others must be paid for.

State Council General Office notice of Dec 2007 (in force 1 Jun 2008): bags under 0.025 mm banned and shops must charge for others; the 2020 NDRC/MEE opinions ban non-degradable bags only in city malls and supermarkets. No 2025-26 source, so amber.

Source: State Council 2008 notice

• China is one of 59 countries where plastic bags are banned, and 26 more restrict them.
• Its neighbours: banned in 3 of 14 (Bhutan, India and Nepal).
• In Asia: banned in 8 of 46 countries.

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Other countries that ban plastic bags

Solomon IslandsVanuatuMarshall IslandsFijiSt. Kitts & NevisAntigua & BarbudaBarbadosBelizeJamaicaEritreaMauritaniaCameroonCongo - BrazzavilleMadagascarAll 59 on the map ›

What else is banned in China