Government of India
Ministry of Finance
Department of Revenue
Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs
To
All Principal Chief Commissioners/Chief Commissioners of Customs/Customs (Preventive),
All Principal Chief Commissioners/Chief Commissioners of Customs & Central tax,
All Principal Commissioners/Commissioners of Customs/Customs (Preventive),
All Principal Commissioners/Commissioners of Customs & Central tax, All Principal Director Generals/Director Generals under CBIC.
Subject: Expediting Customs Clearances for import consignments relating to COVID 19 pandemic -reg.
Reference is invited to letter from Board dated 21.04.2021 wherein it was requested that import of equipments for setting up RT-PCR test labs, medical equipments etc should be cleared on top priority by the Customs (Copy enclosed).
2. Considering the scourge of COVID 19 and surge of cases in the Country, it is an imperative that import of critical raw materials, life -saving drugs etc reach the intended users/beneficiaries in time for effective fight against the pandemic. Hence, it is requested that all Customs formations may be sensitised of the urgency of this matter and may be directed to give high priority for Customs clearances of import of goods relating to COVID 19 pandemic, including oxygen related equipments etc.
Enclosed : As above
(Ananth Rathakrishnan)
Deputy Secretary (Customs)
F.No.450/153/2017-CUS-IV, Dated the 21st April, 2021
Central Boars of Indirect Taxes and Customs
All Principal Chief Commissioners/Chief Commissioners of Custcms/Customs {Preventive},
All Principal Chief Commissioners/Chief Commissioners of Customs S. Central tax.
All Principal Commissioners/CommissionerB of Customs/Customs {Preventive),
All Principal Commissioners/CommisstonerB of Customs & Central tax, All Principal Director Generals/Director Generals inder CBIC.
Subject: Order dated 20.04.2021 of Hon ble High Court of Delhi, in WP(C) 3031/2020 in Rakesh Malhotra vs Govt. Of National Capital Territory of India and others-reg.
I am directed to share copy of order dated 20.D4.2021 of Honble High Court of Delhi, in WP(C) 3031/2020 in Rakesh Malhotra vs Govt. Of National Capital Territory of India and others (copy enclosed).
2. In para 21 of said order dated 20th April, 2021, the Hon'ble Court has directed that import of equipments for setting up RT-PCR test labs, medical equipments etc should be handled and cleared at top priority by the Customs. The Hon'ble Court has directed the Central Government to issue necessary directions in this regard.
3. In view of the above, all the Customs formations are hereby directed to ensure that such imports consignments are cleared with utmost priority.
4. Difficulty, if any may please be informed to Board.