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Govt gives ad hoc IGST exemption on imports of Covid relief material
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SME Times News Bureau | 03 May, 2021
In view of the coronavirus pandemic, the Central Government has exempted
IGST or integrated GST on import of such goods received free of cost
for free distribution of Covid relief.
The exemption is ad hoc and applicable for all specified imports made till June 30, 2021.
The
exemption will also cover goods already imported but lying uncleared on
the date of its issuance of exemption which starts from Monday.
Government
had earlier issued notification for exempting Basic Customs Duty and/or
Health cess imports of a number of Covid-19 related relief materials,
for a limited period. These included Remdesivir injection/ API and Beta
Cyclodextrin (SBEBCD), Inflammatory diagnostic (markers) kits, imports
of which have been exempted from customs till October 31, 2021. Also,
imports of Medical grade Oxygen, oxygen therapy related equipment such
as oxygen concentrators, cryogenic transport tanks, etc., and Covid-19
vaccines have been exempted till July 31, 2021.
This exemption
(from IGST) shall thus enable import of the Covid relief supply imported
free of cost for free distribution without payment of IGST (up to June
30, 2021). As customs duty is already exempt, these imports will not
attract any customs duty or IGST, a finance ministry statement said.
The
Central government had received a number of representations from
charitable organisations, corporate entities, and other
Associations/entities outside India seeking exemption from IGST on the
import of Covid-19 relief material (already exempted from customs duty),
donated/received free of cost from outside India for free distribution.
The
IGST exemption, however, is conditional. Centre had decided that the
state governments shall appoint a nodal authority for the purpose of
this exemption. Such authority will then authorise any entity, relief
agency or statutory body, for free distribution of such Covid-relief
material.
The finance ministry statement said that goods can be
imported free of cost by a state government or any entity/ relief
agency/ statutory body, authorised in this regard for free distribution
anywhere in India. The importer shall before clearance of goods from
Customs produce a certificate from the said nodal authorities that goods
are meant for free distribution for Covid relief.
Also, after
imports, the importer shall produce, to the Deputy or Assistant
Commissioner of Customs at the port within a period of six months from
the date of importation or within such extended period not exceeding
nine months, a simple statement containing details of goods imported
and distributed free of cost. This statement shall be certified by the
said nodal authority of the state government.
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Customs Exchange Rates |
Currency |
Import |
Export |
US Dollar
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66.20
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64.50 |
UK Pound
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87.50
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84.65 |
Euro
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78.25
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75.65 |
Japanese
Yen |
58.85 |
56.85 |
As on 13 Aug, 2022 |
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