I Can'T Help It! Global Multinational Tax Exemption And Tax Reduction Import Anti Epidemic Materials!

In March 5th, the office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) issued a notice to exempt 27 US businesses from over 100 medical products imported from China, including masks, disinfectant wipes, disposable medical gloves, and sample collection containers. In March 12th, the US Trade Representative Office announced that tariffs on some imported medicines, including masks, stethoscope and sphygmomanometer cuffs, should not be imported.

Accept Chinese standard mask such as KN100/KP100/KN95/KP95. According to the latest "authorized mask" list released by the website of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), in April 11th, 46 factory masks made by Chinese enterprises were authorized by emergency use (EUA), including 3M China, Creative Concepts, Ogilvy medical, BYD, Zhong Ding testing, Yongtai Sanlian, Kinnear medical and other enterprises.

Import tariffs on certain products imported from public health institutions, hospitals and checkpoints and first-aid organizations are temporarily suspended (for example, basic items, including but not limited to respirators, surgical gloves and disinfectants). Products are also exempt from sales tax. Since March 27th, the time limit for payment of duties has been extended to June 30, 2020.

In order to fight against the new crown disease, the European Commission decided in April 3rd to temporarily exempt medical materials and personal protective equipment imported from the European Union from customs duties and VAT. This will help reduce the price of masks, ventilators and other urgently needed materials entering the EU market.

The European Commission said that the effective date of the decision dates back to January 30th, with a preliminary period of 6 months and may be extended in the future.

In March 20th, the European Commission invited all Member States and Britain, which is still in the transition period, to submit to the European Commission the requirements for exemption from customs duties and VAT for medical supplies and personal protective equipment. All these countries have submitted the above requirements and have been approved.

The Ministry of Finance in March 31st confirmed that since March 27th, the import tax has been abolished for key anti epidemic materials such as ventilators, new crown virus detection kits and protective clothing. According to the Ministry of finance of the United Kingdom, the import and export duties and VAT can be waived by the British national health service provider (NHS) when importing the above medical materials from outside the EU. The import tariff rate for such goods is up to 12%. Britain still participates in the EU relief mechanism, and imports some anti epidemic goods from the EU region. The tax exemption list was set up by the Ministry of health, covering hundreds of items such as respirators, kits, masks, protective clothing and goggles, and the tax exemption period will continue until July 31, 2020, the statement said.

The French government issued the Decree No. 2020-281 in March 20, 2020, and revised the decree issued in March 13, 2020 for the necessary requisition for combating Covid-19 infection. The March 20th decree showed that the French government had abolished the policy of collecting all the masks imported from France and cancelled the seizure of imported masks by the customs.

After the revision of the decree, French companies and individuals were allowed to buy masks from abroad. However, if the quantity of masks is huge, that is, when each legal entity has more than 5 million masks per season, the Ministry of health can issue a decree by May 31st until all or part of the imported masks are imported.

The March 20th decree also requires importers to apply to the Ministry of health at the same time when importing masks in large quantities. If the Ministry of health fails to make any response within 72 hours after receipt of the application, the imported masks will not be requisitioned by the French government.

The Swiss Confederation General Administration of Economic Affairs announced in April 8th that the important medical products such as masks, medical gloves, protective clothing, protective glasses and disinfectants should be temporarily exempted from customs duties. Importers do not need to provide certificates of origin when they are imported, and are exempt from imports by government or individuals. The regulation was implemented until October 9, 2020.

According to Yonhap news agency, the Ministry of Finance in March 17th voted on the adoption of the "Regulations on the application of tariff quotas" at the State Council meeting. According to the amendment, the tariff of imported medical masks dropped from 10% to zero in March 18th, and the tariff on the core material of masks was reduced from 8% to zero in June 30th.

The customs and food and drug safety branch of South Korea has greatly relaxed the import customs clearance procedures for masks. 34 customs offices in the country have set up the "rapid import customs support group for masks". The imported food and drug safety recommended by the South Korean food and drug safety division is approved by the customs and Excise Department for import, relief and donation.

"Economy online" reported on February 26th. According to the Iran market adjustment working group's new crown virus requirement, the import duty on masks dropped from 55% to 5%. Health products are included in the list of basic commodities for price control and anti hoarding.

Yitong reported on March 30th that F Abani, Vice Minister of industry and mining and trade, said that in accordance with the cabinet resolution, the import duty on medical protective clothing should be adjusted from 55% to 5% in order to ensure adequate supply of medical protective clothing in China.

Turkey trade minister Rusall Peckan (Rusar Pekcan) said as follows: during the pandemic of the coronavirus, Turkey abolished import duties on ethanol, disposable medical masks and medical ventilators.

Turkey's March 25th Government Gazette announces relevant import tariff measures, including:

For the bulk ethyl acohol (tax code: 2207.20.00.10.13) for the production of Cologne and disinfectants, the import tariff has been cut to 0% from 10%.

Abolition of the 13% additional duties imposed on the "breathing apparatus" (tax number: 9019.20.00.00.18) since December 7, 2018;

Since December 8, 2016, 20% additional duties have been levied on other manufactured goods (tax number: 6307.90), under which the "medical mask (disposable)" (tax number: 6307.90.98.10.11) is excluded.

"Nanyang Business Daily" reported on March 23rd, Malaysia transportation minister Wei Jiaxiang revealed that under the proposal of the Ministry of communications, Prime Minister mojid al Moin has agreed to exempt 20% of import masks and 10% of sales tax, so as to prevent the price of masks from soaring.

However, some foreign trade people said that in March 25th, export masks were cleared in Malaysia, and import taxes and sales taxes were added back. Friends who know more details are welcome to leave messages.

The Customs Department of the Ministry of finance of Thailand, as the main body responsible for import and export business, has analyzed and issued a notice on reducing or exempting the import tariffs of masks and production materials in order to help the people and business operators in the new crown epidemic situation. It has come into force since March 24th and ends on September 20, 2020.

The notice stipulates that the import tariff of the masks used in the operation room, which is coded as 6307.90.40, shall be exempted from the import duties of the dust mask, smoke mask and respirator, which are coded as 6307.90.90, and exempt from the import tariffs of the above mask production materials. This measure can help reduce the production cost of imports or masks, so that medical staff who have just needed masks in the new crown epidemic situation, and the people can use masks.

In addition, the import of equipment used to cope with the new crown disease is controlled by other departments. In accordance with the relevant laws and regulations, it is necessary to get approval in advance to import. Therefore, in order to import speed, the Customs Department will continue to consult with other departments in the examination and approval procedures so that the operators can get approval easily in the phase.

In March 20th, the Kyrgyzstan government announced that zero tariff would be imposed on some imported medical materials, including vaccines, medical cotton, reagents, respirators, medical shoe covers, medical goggles, disinfectant products and so on.

According to Hon Tong reported in April 4th, the import of zero tariff includes potatoes, onion, garlic, cabbage, carrot, chili, rye, long grain rice, buckwheat and other vegetables and grains, children's food, children's juice, children's dairy products, etc., valid until June 30th this year. Some kinds of medicines and raw materials are needed for the prevention and treatment of new crown pneumonia. The import tariff was abolished until September 30th this year.

In order to reduce the price rise in the domestic market, the government has exempted all the customs duties and taxes from 61 diagnostic support and personal protective equipment (PPE) in three months in Pakistan.

A spokesman for the FBR said the Tax Administration issued three statutory regulatory orders (SRO), announcing the waiver of imported medical equipment related to the virus. Items include personal protective equipment (clothing, masks, gloves, goggles and headsets), medical equipment, machinery and equipment, coronavirus detection kit, multi-mode respirator with air compressors and other medical devices for a period of three months.

According to the notice, the government is exempt from customs duties, regulatory duties, additional duties, business tax and withholding taxes. The tariffs on these goods are negligible, but a 17% standard sales tax is imposed on imported goods. All these items need to pay 4.5% to 5% of the income tax.

Import of certain medical and surgical instruments and appliances (HS9018; 9019; 9020; 9021; 9022) will be granted "health access" exemption, which will take effect in April 1st. Reducing import duties on medical or surgical instruments and appliances (from 10% to 5%) (HS 9018; 9019; 9020; 9021; 9022) came into effect on April 1st.

Decides to temporarily cancel import certification requirements for certain products, such as masks and personal protective equipment. The decision is valid from March 23, 2020 to June 30, 2020.

Ding Tiandong, Minister of finance of Vietnam, announced that the import of five categories of goods needed for the fight against the new coronavirus was exempt from imports.

In February 7, 2020, the authorities signed the 155th /Q decision -BTC to allow the import tax on medical masks, hand sanitizers, mask materials, disinfectants and protective clothing. The decision came into force on February 7, 2020 until the end of the epidemic.

The categories of exemption included:

- medical masks with international uniform system (HS) coding * 6303.90.40 and 6307.90.90.

Disinfectant gel or liquid hand wash with HS code 3808.94.90.

Mask materials include non-woven fabrics and antibacterial filters, with HS coded elastic tape.

The HS code for disinfectants is 3808.94.20 and 3808.94.90.

Protective clothing, including trousers, shirts, goggles, medical masks, helmets, gloves and shoes, is coded in HS 6210.10.90.

It is decided to exempt import medical equipment and materials from customs duties, taxes and other expenses.

The Ministry of finance of Sri Lanka said in a statement: "since midnight on March 18th, according to the instructions of the prime minister and finance minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, the import and other duties of masks and disinfectants will be abolished."

Masks and disinfectants will be a special commodity tax law. Under a special commodity, a single consolidated tax can be levied, rather than a combination of import duties, VAT and port and airport taxes.

Because of the spread of coronavirus in Maldives, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solli (Ibrahim Mohamed Solih) exempted the import tax on masks and disinfectants.

In a press statement issued by the customs, they said that according to the import and export act, the president decided to exempt import taxes from disinfectants and masks imported during public health emergencies. They also announced that the processing fees charged by the import and export law were also exempted.

In April 1st, the Ministry of economic affairs of Brazil announced that 3 medical articles were exempt from import duties, and the duty free items included medical gloves and thermometers. The effective period was from the announcement date to September 30, 2020.

(for product items and tax numbers, please refer to the notice:

Http://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/-/resolucao-n-28-de-1-de-abril-de-2020-251062799)

In April 3rd, the Ministry of economic affairs of Brazil announced a temporary exemption from import duties on 25 medical supplies and materials, with the effect from the date of announcement to September 30, 2020. The tax-free items include respirator and respirator nonwoven materials, and amended the Resolution No. twenty-second of March 25, 2020 concerning duty free import of alcohol not for fuel purposes (vehicle or machine fuel).

(for product items and tax numbers, please refer to the notice:

Http://www.in.gov.br/en/web/dou/-/decreto-n-10.302-de-1-de-abril-de-2020-250710590)

In March 21st, we suspended imports of disposable aseptic plastic hypodermic syringes from China (irrespective of whether NCM 9018.31.11, 9018.31.19) were imposed on anti-dumping duties (launched in September 15, 2009 and final duty in March 15, 2011).

From March 25, 2020 to September 30, 2020, we suspended the import of vacuum plastic pipes and syringes imported from China, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States for the collection of anti-dumping duties.

Since April 3rd, we have temporarily cancelled the declaration requirements for product composition of certain personal protective equipment (NCM 6210.10.00; 6307.90.10; 6307.90.90; 6505.00.22) for a period of 6 months.

Temporarily abolish import duties on certain personal protective equipment and medicines.

Since March 2nd, the import tariffs on masks have been temporarily suspended.

Temporarily abolish import duties on certain non locally produced personal protective equipment, raw materials and capital goods (in HS Chapters 32; 34; 35; 38; 39; 40; 42; 48; 58; 70; 73; effective since March 16, 2020, for a period of 48 months.

Decree No. 4.080 ("decree") has been issued in official communique No. 6.497. Before June 30, 2020, the decree was exempt from the value added tax, import tax and the duty rate for determining the customs system imported by biological and physical entities that import the new or used movable tangible property in accordance with the customs regulations of the appendix "I".

The tariff on medical supplies has been abolished.

The import tariffs on certain personal protective equipment and medicines are temporarily suspended and will take effect in March 23rd.

Since March 28th, import tariffs on all medical and health products have been temporarily reduced.

According to the Zimbabwe tax bureau (Zimra) tariff manual, a 40% tariff is imposed on imports of synthetic fibres (ordinary gloves used in the country), plus 3 dollars per kilogram plus 15% VAT. For disinfectants, a 40% tariff and a 15% value-added tax are imposed, while the mask does not impose import duties.

Joseph Musari, chief executive of SFAAZ, said: "at such a time, the government should abolish duties related to imports and levy taxes on masks, soaps and disinfectants," said Joseph, chief executive of SFAAZ. These tools are essential for combating this epidemic. "