INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Centre has given IGST exemption on imported Covid related relief material till June 30The Centre on Monday waived off Integrated Goods and
Services Tax (IGST, which is levied on inter-state movement of goods and imports) till June 30, on import of Covid related relief material
The waiver will also be applicable on those materials which have been donated or received free of cost from other countries for donation
entities, and other bodies from outside India seeking exemption from IGST on the import of Covid-19 relief material, donated or received
till June 30.This exemption would also cover goods already imported but waiting to be cleared at the Customs ports.The Government has
already exempted from customs duty, import of a host of Covid-related relief materials, including Remdesivir injection and its APIs,
inflammatory diagnostic (markers) kits, medical grade oxygen, oxygen therapy related equipment such as oxygen concentrators, cryogenic
transport tanks as well as Covid vaccines.The IGST exemption given on Monday would be subject to nodal authorities, appointed by the state
governments, authorising any entity, relief agency or statutory body, for free distribution of such relief material.The said goods can be
before clearance of goods from Customs, will have to produce a certificate from the said nodal authorities, saying that goods are meant for
free distribution for Covid relief, the order said.After imports, the importer will have to produce before 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 statement containing details of goods imported and distributed free of cost.This statement shall be certified by the said
distribution without payment of IGST (up to the 30th June, 2021)
slashed IGST rate on import of oxygen concentrators for personal use to 12 per cent, from 28 per cent, for two months till June 30.Under
Such tax is known as Central GST or CGST and State GST or SGST.On inter-state movement of goods as well as imports, IGST is levied, which
