EU Commission waives custom duty on medical tech
The European Commission has approved requests from Member States and the UK to temporarily waive customs duties and VAT on the import of medical devices, and protective equipment, from non-EU countries in order to help in the fight against coronavirus. This will make it easier financially to get the medical equipment that doctors, nurses and patients desperately need.
The measure includes masks and protective equipment, as well as testing kits, ventilators and other medical equipment and will apply for a period of six months, with a possibility for further extension.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a video message on the decision.
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Paolo Gentiloni, Commissioner for Economy said: "In this emergency it is vital that medical equipment and devices get quickly to where they are needed. By waiving customs and VAT duties on imports of these products from outside the EU, the European Commission will help make those products more accessible. I want to express again my deep respect and gratitude to health workers across Europe. Today's measure should help them receive the equipment they need to protect themselves and continue saving lives.”
On 20 March, the Commission invited all Member States, as well as the UK, to submit a request to waive customs duties and VAT on the importation of protective and other medical equipment from third countries, which all those invited took up. Today's decision takes effect retroactively from 30 January.
Tools are already available under current EU legislation to help disaster victims. These tools can be used to face the health crisis brought on by coronavirus.
EU customs legislation provides for the possibility to grant duty relief for the “benefit of disaster victims”. It can be applied to imports by State organisations or approved charitable or philanthropic organisations. To grant relief, a decision from the Commission is required, following a request from the Member States concerned.
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