How to make a correct declaration: the five most important tips

All SENS contractual partners have the same goal: complete, efficient and correct declarations. However, our daily interactions with our customers show that errors keep creeping in – especially with product-related or personnel changes. In particular, larger and internationally active companies with a broad and diverse product portfolio face challenges when it comes to the correct allocation of Advance Recycling Contribution (ARC) tariff categories. We have summarised the most common stumbling blocks for you here.

1. Cables and plugs in Switzerland do not need to be declared – unlike in the EU.

Many internationally active customers refer to the SENS eRecycling Tariff and Appliance List as well as the EU directives. As far as the latter is concerned, cables and plugs are declared and billed. This is different in Switzerland: cables and plugs are not subject to ARC and therefore do not need to be declared.

Our tip: check carefully which regulations apply to Switzerland in international business activities. Going by foreign regulations often leads to false declarations. If in doubt, please do not hesitate to contact us.

2. Fitness equipment is treated in a specific manner

Fitness equipment is declared in the category “01 SENS devices”. However, there is a special condition: fitness equipment is not declared based on its product declaration weight. Even if fitness equipment weighs ≥ 5 kilograms, it will always be declared in the ARC tariff category 100100.

The rule is as follows:

• If a piece of fitness equipment weighs < 250 grams, it falls into the 100090 ARC tariff category
• If a piece of fitness equipment weighs ≥ 250 grams to ≤ 250 kilograms, it falls into the ARC tariff category 100100

Our tip: Fitness equipment is a special case. Therefore, follow this rule and contact us if you have any questions.

3. Correctly categorise lights and light bulbs

There are still ambiguities with many lighting contractual partners, as the correct declaration is relatively complex. 

The rules are as follows:

• A light with a single-use battery or a rechargeable battery falls into the ARC tariff categories 700500 to 700503 depending on the product declaration weight
• A light with an electrical connection should be declared per unit in the ARC tariff category 700180.
• A light with an additional function (e.g. voice control, motion sensor), falls into the ARC tariff categories 100090 to 100210 depending on the product declaration weight.
• In the case of a light that can be separated from the bulb/light source,
  • the light falls in the ARC tariff category 700180 and
  • the bulb/light source falls in the ARC tariff category 700200

Our tip: train your team when changes are made to the range and keep the product categories in your product database, including attributes, up to date. If you have any questions, please contact us.

4. Do not report loose batteries to INOBAT in every case

Reporting loose batteries or photovoltaic energy storage always leads to uncertainties.

The rules are as follows:

• Loose batteries are declared at INOBAT, provided they do not belong to a power tool.
• Photovoltaic storage systems are declared at INOBAT.
• Appliances with permanently installed batteries are declared at SENS eRecycling.

Our tip: if you are unsure which organisation is responsible, please contact us. Incorrectly categorising items causes additional costs for all parties involved, which we would like to avoid.

5. Itemise ARF on invoices

Sometimes customers do not explicitly itemise the ARC component on their invoice to trade or end customers. This means that important information is missing, which is relevant not only for end consumers.

Our recommendation: always itemise the ARC. This way you create transparency and prevent double billing. 

Our tip: integrate the ARC into your standard invoice templates. This creates transparency towards your business partners as well as the end customers, and you’re follow the SENS eRecycling recommendation.

Conclusion: make just a few small changes to avoid errors

We appreciate our customers’ willingness to declare items correctly and completely. We also understand that our tariff system is quite complex. However, with these five tips, you can eliminate the most common sources of errors and ensure that things go smoothly. 

Do you have questions about making a correct declaration? Our team is at your disposal at any time. ARC partners can also find all relevant documents and instructions in our download area.