COVID-19 vaccine, oxygen imports exempted from GST, with caveats

Relaxation only for global donors certified by State Govts

Imports of COVID-19 relief material, including vaccines, medical oxygen and Remdesivir vials, will get a conditional ‘ad-hoc’ Goods and Services Tax (GST) exemption till June 30, the Finance Ministry said on Monday. The government had already exempted the import of these items from customs duty and health cess, but integrated GST (IGST) was being levied on such imports, which will be withdrawn for two months for ‘relief materials being donated from abroad’. The exemption won’t be available for domestic companies or charities importing these items if they are purchasing them, even if for free distribution in the country, senior officials clarified. The relevant notification specifies that the relaxation is for COVID-19 material ‘received free of cost for free distribution anywhere in India for COVID relief’.