Can I hand out plastic carrier bags to customers in Germany?

Q: Can I hand out plastic carrier bags to customers in Germany?

Not lightweight ones at the point of sale. § 12(1) VerpackDG bans final distributors from making available lightweight plastic carrier bags meant to be filled with goods in the shop. Very lightweight bags needed for hygiene, or provided as sales packaging for loose food to prevent food waste, are exempt. The ban covers bags meant to be filled at the point of sale.

Yes, at the point of sale. § 12(1) VerpackDG bans final distributors from providing lightweight plastic carrier bags filled in the shop, with a hygiene and loose-food exception.

Since 12 August 2026, § 5 VerpackDG, implementing Article 45(3) of Regulation (EU) 2025/40, requires a producer with no establishment in Germany to appoint an authorised representative before it first makes packaging available in Germany. Read § 5

By Razvan Toma · Founder · Last checked 7 November 2026 · Sources linked below

Quick answer

Not lightweight ones at the point of sale. § 12(1) VerpackDG: final distributors may not make available lightweight plastic carrier bags meant to be filled with goods in the shop. Very lightweight plastic bags are exempt when they are needed for hygiene or provided as sales packaging for loose food to prevent food waste. The restrictions of the single-use plastics ban regulation remain in force alongside it (§ 12(2)). VerpackDG § 12

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