Goods such as ventilators, coronavirus testing kits and protective clothing arriving from outside the EU are no longer subject to customs duty or import VAT. This will reduce red tape to ensure frontline health workers get vital equipment quickly and removes barriers to those who want to donate supplies to the NHS.
NHS suppliers will no longer have to pay customs duty and import VAT, the removal of tariffs on these vital supplies will reduce the import price by up to 12 per cent.
Goods imported into the UK for donation or onward sale to the NHS are also eligible for this relief and can be imported free of import duty and import VAT. Importers will need to pay import duties and VAT if they loan, hire out or transfer their goods to organisations or individuals not affected by coronavirus outbreak.
International Trade Secretary, Liz Truss said:
We are removing tariffs and barriers on essential medical supplies imported into the UK to ensure our front-line workers have everything they need to treat people suffering from Covid-19.
As I agreed with my G20 trade minister counterparts, we will work together to keep trade flowing and ensure the supply of essential goods and services.
HM Revenue & Customs have published the following explanatory notes:
If you would like more details, please call +44 (0) 118 932 8447 or email info@icsglobalservices.com