The exemption is effective immediately.
In a statement issued by the Ministry said that after considering the urgent need of ventilators and other materials in the country, the Central Government has exempted these goods from the cess and basic customs duty.
According to the order of the Ministry of Finance, ventilators, face masks, surgical masks, PPE i.e. personal protective equipment, corona virus test kit accessories, and basic custom duty on import of raw materials used in the manufacture of these are exempt from duty and health cess. According to the ministry, these exemptions have come into force with immediate effect and will continue till 30 September.