India exempts duty on COVID-19 vaccines imports |
India`s Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has fully exempted imports of Covid 19 vaccines from basic customs duty, from October 1 till December 31. The Board specified `COVID-19 vaccine`, indicating all vaccines imported into the country will be exempt. Vaccines are presently charged customs duty of 10%. India had in April exempted imports of Covid vaccines from customs duty for three months. The government had also decided to exempt the import of medical oxygen and connected equipment from import duty and health cess. While Covid vaccines continue to attract a 5% goods and services tax, the government had exempted some Covid treatment drugs from the tax and lowered the tax on other materials. The relief has been now extended till the year end. Meanwhile, more than eight months after it rolled out the Covid-19 vaccination drive, India has now completed administering both doses of the vaccine to almost 25% of the estimated adult population. So far India has administered 87,66,63,490 doses of Covid-19 vaccine under the ongoing nationwide vaccination drive.
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