Customs duty to be waived off on Covid vaccines, oxygen-related equipment

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Apr 24, 2021 at 4:18 PM Updated On : Apr 24, 2021 at 4:21 PM

New Delhi: The Centre today decided to waive off basic Customs Duty on import of Covid vaccines with immediate effect for a period of three months.

During a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi a decision was taken to grant full exemption from basic Customs Duty and health cess on import of the following items related to Oxygen and Oxygen related equipment for a period of three months with immediate effect:

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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 Cannister

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 nasal canula; Compressors including all accessories and tubing; humidifiers and Viral filters

High flow nasal canula 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

Also, the PM directed the Revenue Department to ensure seamless and quick custom clearance of such equipment. Accordingly, the Department of Revenue has nominated Gaurav Masaldan, Joint Secretary, Customs, as the nodal officer for issues related to customs clearance for the above-mentioned items.

Among others, the Finance Minister, the Commerce and Industry Minister, the Health Minister, the Principal Secretary to the PM, the Member NITI Aayog, Dr Guleria and Secretaries of the department of Revenue, Health and DPIIT & other officials participated in the meeting.