IGST waiver likely for PPE, ventilators

NEW DELHI: The government is set to exempt imported personal protection equipment (PPE), ventilators, sanitisers, masks and other medical equipment from integrated goods and services tax (IGST).

“The broad decision to give the exemption has been taken,” said a senior official. The government now levies 12% IGST on most of these products. “On whether input tax credit can be availed of in such cases, it’s being decided … given the situation, the credit should also be given,” the official added. Hospitals buy these products from dealers, who take input tax credit for the supplies.

The exemption is likely to be for a quarter starting this month, along the lines of the exemption from basic customs duty and health cess on medical equipment, PPEs and Covid-19 testing kits that the government allowed last week. The government had also exempted imported input materials required for making these products locally.