Plastic Packaging Tax calculator

Estimate your UK Plastic Packaging Tax from tonnes or from the number of bags you use, check whether you need to register, and see what switching to recycled bags would save.

Plastic packaging per year (tonnes)

Recycled plastic content (%) Tax rate (£ per tonne)

Default rate: £228.82 per tonne, applying from 1 April 2026. Change it for other periods.

Estimated tax per year

–

Taxable?–

Registration (10 t / 12 months)–

Tax with 70% recycled bags£0

Potential saving per year–

Get 70% recycled samples

Estimate only, for plastic packaging components that are taxable. Not tax advice. Check your position on GOV.UK or with your adviser.

How the Plastic Packaging Tax works

The UK Plastic Packaging Tax applies to plastic packaging components manufactured in, or imported into, the UK that contain less than 30% recycled plastic. It is charged per tonne. Businesses that manufacture or import 10 tonnes or more of plastic packaging over 12 months must register with HMRC, even if their packaging is not taxable.

Packaging with 30% or more recycled plastic is not taxed, but you still need evidence of the recycled content. When you buy our 70% recycled mailing bags, we supply that documentation with your order.

What is changing

The rate rises each April in line with inflation. From 1 April 2026 it is £228.82 per tonne.
From 1 April 2027, only post-consumer recycled plastic will count towards the 30% threshold. Pre-consumer (factory scrap) content will no longer qualify. Our mailing bags use post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, so they remain outside the tax.
From the same date, a mass balance approach will be allowed for chemically recycled plastic.
The government has consulted on requiring certification for mechanically recycled content claims. This is a proposal, not yet law.

Read our full guide: Plastic Packaging Tax 2027: what changes for mailing bags.

Official guidance: GOV.UK – Plastic Packaging Tax.

From the factory

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