As the COVID-19 epidemic breaks out overseas, masks and other anti-epidemic materials have become popular exports. This article summarizes the import policies of many countries. Foreign trade people in relevant industries please stay tuned!
North America
United States
On March 5, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) issued an announcement to exempt 27 U.S. companies from tariffs on more than 100 medical-related products imported from China. , including masks, disinfectant wipes, disposable medical gloves, sample collection vessels and other in-demand medical supplies. On March 12, the U.S. Trade Representative’s Office announced that it would not impose additional tariffs on some pharmaceutical products imported from China, including masks, stethoscopes, and blood pressure cuffs.
Accept Chinese standard masks such as KN100/KP100/KN95/KP95. According to the latest list of “authorized masks” released by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website, on April 11, U.S. time, masks produced by 46 companies with factories in China have received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA). ), including 3M China, Creative Concepts, Ogilvy Medical, BYD, Zhongding Testing, Yongtai Sanlian, Jinnar Medical and other companies.
Canada
Temporarily cancel public health institutions, hospitals and testing sites and import duties on certain products imported by first aid organizations (e.g., essential items including but not limited to masks, surgical gloves, and disinfectants). Products are also exempt from sales tax. Starting from March 27, the time limit for paying tariffs has been extended to June 30, 2020.
Europe
EU
To combat the COVID-19 epidemic, the European Commission decided on April 3 to temporarily exempt tariffs and value-added tax on medical supplies and personal protective equipment imported from outside the EU. This will help reduce the price of urgently needed supplies such as masks and ventilators entering the EU market.
The European Commission said that the effective date of this decision will be retroactive to January 30, for an initial period of six months, and may be extended in the future.
On March 20, the European Commission invited all member states, as well as the United Kingdom, which is still in the “Brexit” transition period, to submit tariff exemptions for medical supplies and personal protective equipment to the European Commission. and VAT requirements. All these countries submitted the above requirements and all were approved.
UK
The British Treasury confirmed on March 31 that since From March 27, import taxes on key anti-epidemic materials such as ventilators, new coronavirus detection kits and protective clothing will be cancelled. According to a statement from the British Treasury, suppliers to the British National Health Service (NHS) are exempt from paying import duties and value-added tax when importing the above-mentioned medical supplies from outside the EU. The import tax rate for such goods was previously as high as 12%. The UK is still participating in the EU’s disaster relief mechanism, and some anti-epidemic goods imported from the EU are exempt from import taxes. The statement stated that the specific tax exemption list was formulated by the British Ministry of Health and covers hundreds of products such as ventilators, test kits, masks, protective clothing and goggles. The tax holiday will last until July 31, 2020.
France
Announced by the French government on March 20, 2020 Government Decree No. 2020-281 was issued to amend the decree “Necessary Recruitment to Combat Covid-19 Virus Infection” published on March 13, 2020. The decree on March 20 shows that the French government has canceled the policy of collecting all masks imported into France and canceled the customs seizure of imported masks.
After the promulgation of the revised decree, French companies and individuals were allowed to purchase masks from abroad. However, if the quantity of purchased masks is huge, that is, when each legal entity imports more than 5 million masks per quarter, the French Ministry of Health can issue a decree before May 31 to carry out all the imported masks in stock of the entity. or partial collection.
The March 20 decree also requires importers to apply to the French Ministry of Health when importing large quantities of masks. If the Ministry of Health does not respond within 72 hours after receiving the application, the imported masks will not be requisitioned by the French government.
Switzerland
The Swiss Federal Office for Economic Affairs announced on April 8 that , important medical products such as masks, medical gloves, protective clothing, protective goggles and disinfection supplies are temporarily exempted from tariffs; importers do not need to provide a certificate of origin when importing, and imports are tax-free regardless of government or individual imports. This regulation will be implemented until October 9, 2020.
Asia
South Korea
According to Yonhap News Agency, South Korea’s Ministry of Finance voted to adopt an amendment to the “Regulations on the Application of Tariff Quotas” at the State Council on March 17. According to the amendment, the South Korean government’s tariff on imported medical masks will be reduced from 10% to zero from March 18 to June 30, and the tariff on melt-blown cloth, the core material for the production of masks, will be reduced from 8% to zero.
The Korean Customs and the Food and Drug Safety Administration have significantly relaxed the import customs clearance procedures for masks. 34 customs across the country have established “Fast Mask Import Clearance Support Teams” to provide relief and donations for imports. For companies to pay for masks for employees, the Korea Food and Drug Safety Agency recommends that import conditions be exempted from confirmation, and the customs also minimizes customs clearance review to ensure rapid import.
Iran
“Economic Online” reported on February 26. In accordance with the regulations of Iran’s Market Adjustment Working Group on COVID-19, the import tax on masks was reduced from 55% to 5%. Health supplies are included in the list of essential commodities subject to price controls and anti-hoarding.
Yitong News Agency, March 30.�Medical masks.
Disinfecting gel or liquid hand sanitizer with HS code 3808.94.90.
Mask materials include non-woven fabrics and antibacterial filters; elastic bands with specified HS codes.
The HS codes for disinfectants are 3808.94.20 and 3808.94.90.
Protective clothing, including pants, shirts, goggles, medical masks, helmets, gloves and shoes, has the HS code of 6210.10.90.
Philippines
Decided to exempt imported medical equipment and consumables from tariffs , taxes and other charges.
Sri Lanka
The Ministry of Finance of Sri Lanka issued a statement saying: “Since March Effective from midnight on March 18, in accordance with the instructions of Prime Minister and Finance Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa, import and other duties on masks and disinfectants will be eliminated.”
Masks and disinfectants will be classified as special The Goods Taxation Act. Under special commodities, a single unified tax can be levied instead of merging import duties, VAT and port and airport taxes.
Maldives
As coronavirus spreads in Maldives, President Ibrahimovic Ibrahim Mohamed Solih exempts masks and disinfectants from import duties.
In a press statement issued by the Customs, they said that in accordance with the Import and Export Law, the President decided to exempt disinfectants and masks imported during the public health emergency from import duties. They also announced that processing fees charged under the import and re-export laws have also been waived.
South America
Brazil
On April 1, the Brazilian Ministry of Economy announced that three items of medical supplies would be exempt from import tariffs. The tax-free items include medical gloves and thermometers, which are valid from the date of announcement to September 30, 2020.
(For product items and tax numbers, please refer to the announcement:
in.gov.br/en/web/dou/-/ resolucao-n-28-de-1-de-abril-de-2020-251062799)
On April 3, the Brazilian Ministry of Economy announced that 25 medical supplies and materials The import tariff is temporarily exempted from the announcement date to September 30, 2020. Duty-free items include non-woven materials for respirators and masks, etc., and the amendment to Resolution No. 22 on March 25, 2020 states that duty-free imported alcohol shall not be used for fuel purposes (vehicle or machine fuel).
(For product items and tax numbers, please refer to the announcement:
in.gov.br/en/web/dou/-/ decreto-n-10.302-de-1-de-abril-de-2020-250710590 )
Argentina
On March 21, anti-dumping duties (2009) were suspended on disposable sterile plastic hypodermic syringes (with or without needles (NCM 9018.31.11; 9018.31.19)) imported from China The investigation was launched on September 15, and the final tariff was levied on March 15, 2011).
From March 25, 2020 to September 30, 2020, the tariffs from Anti-dumping duties are suspended on vacuum plastic tubes and syringes for blood collection imported from China, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States.
From April 3, the temporary lifting of anti-dumping duties on certain individuals Product ingredient disclosure statement requirements for protective equipment (NCM 6210.10.00; 6307.90.10; 6307.90.90; 6505.00.22), for a period of 6 months.
Paraguay
Temporarily removes import duties on certain personal protective equipment and pharmaceuticals.
Ecuador
Effective March 2, import tariffs on masks will be temporarily eliminated.
Colombia
Temporarily removes 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 from March 16, 2020, for a period of 6 months.
Venezuela
Decree No. 4.080 (the “Decree”) has been published in the Official Gazette No. 6.497. The Decree Exemption from VAT, import duties and rates of the customs regime on the definite import of new or used movable tangible property carried out by living entities and entities until June 30, 2020 in accordance with Appendix “I of the Decree “Individuals or legal persons classified in the customs regulations are managed by national public administration departments and with personal resources.
Peru
Tariffs on medical supplies have been eliminated.
Uruguay
Temporarily remove import tariffs on certain personal protective equipment and medicines, effective March 23.
Oceania
New Zealand
Starting from March 28, import tariffs on all medical and health products will be temporarily reduced.
Africa
Zimbabwe
According to the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra) Customs Manual, imported items of synthetic fibers (common gloves used in the country) are subject to a 40% tariff, plus $3 per kilogram, plus 15% VAT. There is a 40% customs duty and 15% VAT on disinfectants, while there is no import tax on masks.
SFAAZ CEO Mr Joseph Musariri said: “At times like this, the government should remove import-related tariffs and restrictions on masks, soaps and Taxes on disinfectants, etc. These tools are crucial to combating this epidemic.”
On March 31, the Ministry of Commerce, the General Administration of Customs, and the National Medical Products Administration jointly issued the “Announcement on the Orderly Export of Medical Materials” (hereinafter referred to as the “Announcement”), requiring exports of five categories of products, including testing reagents, medical masks, medical protective clothing, ventilators, and infrared thermometers, to be processed in the same manner as before during customs clearance. You are required to provide the written or electronic declaration of export medical supplies and the registration certificate of medical device products listed in the “Announcement”. The customs shall inspect and release medical devices based on the medical device product registration certificate approved by the drug supervision and administration department.
On April 10, the General Administration of Customs issued Announcement No. 53 of 2020, deciding to implement export statutory inspections on 11 categories of commodities including medical masks.
Exporters are generally concerned about the following issues:
Are all exported masks legally inspected?
Are non-medical masks classified as export statutory inspection commodities?
How to distinguish between medical and non-medical masks?
How to tell the authenticity of the mask certification certificate?
Compared with before, the relevant links need to provide the written or electronic declaration of export medical supplies and the registration certificate of medical device products listed in the “Announcement”. The customs shall inspect and release medical devices based on the medical device product registration certificate approved by the drug supervision and administration department.
On April 10, the General Administration of Customs issued Announcement No. 53 of 2020, deciding to implement export statutory inspections on 11 categories of commodities including medical masks.
Exporters are generally concerned about the following issues:
Are all exported masks legally inspected?
Are non-medical masks classified as export statutory inspection commodities?
How to distinguish between medical and non-medical masks?
How to tell the authenticity of the mask certification certificate?
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