Fast-tracking clearances
The second wave of COVID-19 has created an acute need for medical supplies. The country today faces shortage of oxygen supply support and other COVID 19-related goods.
The overstretched COVID hospitals due to the second wave and the current challenge in oxygen necessitates that COVID care be done at home to the extent possible. The Centre and state governments have taken various measures to augment the production of medical oxygen in the country.
CBIC too has undertaken large-scale efforts to ease and expedite the import of oxygen concentrators to deal with this acute shortage of oxygen the country is faced with. “The need and shortage of oxygen concentrators in the country has led to a huge surge in import of O2 concentrators by individuals, corporates, traders and aid agencies. It is critical that these life-saving shipments get delivered at the earliest. While simplified regulations are needed to speed up the process, it is critical that shipments come with correct documentation. The decision to simplify customs process, waive duty and reduce GST are all excellent moves to help the general public in the current crisis,” said R S Subramanian, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, DHL Express India.
There is a huge surge in imports of COVID-19 related emergency products from the USA, the EU, Far East and China by individuals, corporates for their own usage, by import traders and aid agencies. In a welcome move, CBIC has simplified the procedures through a recent notification and instruction that will enable express and logistic companies to speed up clearances for emergency medical equipment – and help bring pandemic spread
under control. While there is widespread interest and action on this topic, there is a need for awareness and adherence to a few simple rules to ensure that the emergency supplies do not get stuck at border controls and customs clearance because of ignorance of the shipper or consignee.
The decision to simplify customs process, waive duty and reduce GST are all excellent moves to help the general public in the current crisis