Govt Waives Customs Duty On Import Of COVID-19 Vaccines, Oxygen For 3 Months
Mumbai: The Centre on Saturday waived basic customs duty and health cess on import of oxygen and oxygen-related equipment for three months, amid a coronavirus surge in India.
The decision was taken during a high-level meeting chaired by PM Narendra Modi to review steps to boost oxygen availability in India.
The exemption would include the import of equipment related to referring patients – whether due to COVID or otherwise – with oxygen, such as generators, storage tanks, filling systems, and concentrators. This would “boost the availability of these goods, as well as make them cheaper.”
In order to increase their production and availability and to meet the increasing demand, it was decided to give complete exemption from basic customs and health cess on import of the following items related to oxygen and oxygen related equipment for a period of immediate three months.
- Medical Grade Oxygen
- Oxygen concentrator along with flow meter, regulator, connectors and tubing
- Vacuum Pressure Swing Absorption (VPSA) and Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) oxygen plants, Cryogenic Oxygen Air Separation Units (ASUs) producing liquid/ gaseous oxygen
- Oxygen Canister
- Oxygen Filling Systems
- Oxygen Storage tanks, Oxygen cylinders including cryogenic cylinders and tanks
- Oxygen Generators
- ISO Containers for Shipping Oxygen
- Cryogenic Road transport tanks for Oxygen
- Parts of the above to be used for the manufacture of equipment for production, transportation, distribution or storage of Oxygen
- Any other device from which Oxygen can be generated
- Ventilators (capable of functioning as high-flow devices) with a nasal cannula; Compressors including all accessories and tubing; humidifiers and Viral filters
- High flow nasal cannula device with all attachments
- Helmets for use with non-invasive ventilation
- Non-invasive ventilation oronasal masks for ICU ventilators
- Non-invasive ventilation nasal masks for ICU ventilators
Apart from the above, it was also decided that the original customs duty on import of COVID19 vaccines would also be exempted with immediate effect for a period of 3 months.
The PM directed the revenue department to ensure uninterrupted and quick customs clearance of such equipment. Accordingly, the Department of Revenue has nominated Gaurav Musalandan as the Nodal officer for issues related to customs clearance for the above-mentioned items.
The Government of India has taken several measures in the last few days to improve oxygen and medical supplies. IAF aircraft are bringing cryogenic oxygen tanks from Singapore. The Indian Air Force is also transporting oxygen tanks in the country to reduce travel time. Similarly, in a major decision yesterday, free food grains will be given to 80 crore Indians for the month of May & June 2021.
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