Oman’s fifth plastic bag ban phase targets furniture, gold, auto dealerships from July 1

OMAN – Oman’s Environment Authority has expanded the single-use plastic shopping bag ban to include furniture stores, dagger and gold shops, vehicle care centres and car dealerships from 1 July 2026, as the Sultanate moves toward eliminating plastic bags nationwide by 2027.

The fifth phase of Decision No. 8/2024 follows a phased schedule introduced in January 2024. 

The ban applies to single-use plastic shopping bags under 50 micrometers thick, with violations attracting administrative fines ranging from RO 50 (US$130) to RO 1,000 (US$2,600), doubling for repeat offences within one month. 

The Environment Authority has called on business owners and consumers to comply and expand the use of sustainable alternatives such as cloth or paper bags. 

How Oman’s Seven-Phase Roadmap Targets Complete Plastic Bag Elimination by 2027

The phased ban began on 1 July 2024, covering pharmacies, hospitals and clinics. 

Phase two, effective from 1 January 2025, expanded to textile stores, clothing outlets, eyewear shops, mobile phone vendors, watch retailers, furniture stores and household goods suppliers. 

Phase three, implemented on 1 July 2025, included fruit and vegetable shops, grocery stores, packaging units, candy factories, bakeries, gift shops and confectionery outlets.

Phase four, effective from 1 January 2026, covered building materials, cookware, feed and grain stores, agricultural supplies, ice cream and juice vendors, water pump and automotive parts retailers. 

The fifth phase, commencing 1 July 2026, applies to furniture and blanket stores, dagger and gold/silver shops, car care centres and vehicle dealerships. 

Phase six, scheduled for 1 January 2027, will cover electronics, sanitary and electrical materials, vehicle repair workshops, fishing equipment, tyre shops and printing presses, with phase seven eliminating all remaining plastic bag use by 1 July 2027.

What Regional Plastic Restrictions Mean for Sustainable Packaging Alternatives

The Middle East is increasingly moving away from single-use plastic packaging through legislation. 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, entered the final phase of its single-use plastics ban on 1 January 2026, extending restrictions to items such as single-use plastic plates, cutlery, beverage cups and lids, as well as paper bags under 50 microns. 

Australian-based Detpak introduced its Eco-Products range to the Middle East, offering compostable, no-added PFAS sugarcane foodservice packaging. 

TotalEnergies Corbion appointed Multi Trade Group as distribution partner for Luminy PLA in the region.

At ProPak Middle East and North Africa 2026, industry experts noted that the region’s digital population is driving demand for premium, sustainable packaging shaped by global brands, social media and e-commerce.

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