Industry specifications such as those published by the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) define acceptable contamination levels for OCC and kraft scrap grades, typically limiting non-paper content and moisture to specific percentages. Importing countries may impose additional national standards — for example, many Asian markets have adopted strict contamination thresholds following China's National Sword policy — so exporters should confirm the destination country's current import specifications before loading.

Recovered paper and paperboard scrap that meets the definition of 'hazardous waste' under the Basel Convention — typically due to high contamination levels — may require prior informed consent from the importing country before shipment. Clean, source-separated OCC and kraft scrap generally qualify as non-hazardous under Basel Annex IX, but exporters should verify the importing country's national implementation of the Convention, as requirements vary.