India to waive import duty on Covid-19 vaccines

Published at 05:41 pm April 20th, 2021

File Photo: Vials labelled "Astra Zeneca Covid-19 Coronavirus Vaccine"and a syringe are seen in front of a displayed AstraZeneca logo, in this illustration photo taken March 14, 2021 Reuters

The country has also waived the import duty on Covid-19 treatment drug remdesivir

India will waive its 10% customs duty on imported Covid-19 vaccines, a senior government official told Reuters on Monday, as it tries to boost supplies to counter a dramatic surge in coronavirus cases.

Imports of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine are due to arrive soon and the government has also urged Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson to sell their products to India.

The official, who declined to be named, also said the government was considering allowing private entities to import approved vaccines for sale on the open market without government intervention. They could also be given the freedom to set pricing, he added.

The Indian government currently regulates the sale and purchase of all COVID-19 shots in the country.

A finance ministry spokesman did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment outside business hours.

Other South Asian countries, including Nepal and Pakistan, as well as Latin American nations such as Argentina and Brazil levy vaccine import tariffs ranging between 10% and 20%.

New COVID-19 infections and deaths in India have jumped by record numbers for days, with hospitals running short of beds, oxygen and key medicines. Total deaths have swelled to nearly 179,000 and cases have climbed above 15 million, the world's second highest tally behind the United States. read more

The government has now decided to open vaccinations for all adults from May 1.

India waives import duty on Covid-19 drug remdesivir

India has waived import duty on Covid-19 drug Remdesivir until October 31, the Indian Finance Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday, as infections surge to record highs and lead to a shortage of the anti-viral medicine.

The Indian government has also waived import duties on Beta Cyclodextrin used in the manufacture of Remdesivir as well as Remdesivir injections.

India on Tuesday reported its worst daily death toll of the pandemic and has large parts of the country under lockdown in an effort to counter an accelerating second wave of infections.