Duty-free benefit for import of Covid-19 fighting equipment

National Board of Revenue (NBR) has extended duty and tax-free benefit for import of raw materials for personal protective equipment (PPE), face masks and disinfectants until December 31 this year to fight the Covid-19 pandemic in the country.

The revenue authority also offered the duty-free import privilege to facilitate availability of plastic face shields, N95 and KN95 masks, protective goggles, Covid-19 diagnostic test instruments and apparatus as well as kits for test, according to a notice issued on October 5.

Previous exemption for the gears expired on September 30.

NBR, however, attached some conditions for businesses to avail the benefit.

The revenue administration withdrew import duty on raw materials used in hand sanitisers, coronavirus testing kits and PPE on March 22 this year. Initial deadline was June 30.

NBR extended time later as the onslaught of Covid-19 continued on life and livelihoods.