NE HEALTH BUREAU
NEW DELHI, APR 24
The finance ministry’s CBIC has directed its field officers to clear all import consignments, including life-saving drugs and oxygen equipment, used in COVID treatment on the highest priority amid a surge in infections across the country.
At the high-level meeting, key decisions of waiving customs duty on oxygen and oxygen related equipment & COVID-19 vaccines were taken. https://t.co/TgorIafqw6
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 24, 2021
In another step towards fighting COVID-19, Customs will expedite clearances for import consignments relating to the pandemic to ensure critical equipment and medicine can reach on time. https://t.co/IkwnftD9xK
— Piyush Goyal (मोदी का परिवार) (@PiyushGoyal) April 24, 2021
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) said the decision is aimed at ensuring that all such materials and equipment reach the intended beneficiaries within the shortest possible time.
“CBIC has given directions to all its field formations to clear these consignments on the highest priority,” the board said in a tweet.
Considering the scourge of COVID-19 and the surge of cases in the country, it is imperative that the import of critical raw materials, life-saving drugs etc reach the intended users/beneficiaries in time for an effective fight against the pandemic, CBIC said.
Attention Importers!
In case of any difficulty faced regarding imports of COVID19 related equipments or medicaments, please provide details on the link https://t.co/IAOQenWwO2 for expediting Customs clearances.#Unite2FightCorona pic.twitter.com/wg3XAgeJ4S
— CBIC (@cbic_india) April 24, 2021
“Hence, it is requested that all customs formations may be sensitised of the urgency of this matter and may be directed to give high priority for customs clearance of import of goods relating to COVID-19 pandemic, including oxygen related equipment etc,” a communication by CBIC to its customs officers said.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal also said in a tweet that in another step towards fighting COVID-19, customs will expedite clearances for import consignments relating to the pandemic to ensure critical equipment and medicine can reach on time.
The government has already waived all customs duty on imported Remdesivir injections and the drug’s active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) in order to boost supplies.
