New Delhi: The Central government has exempted basic customs duty and health cess on the import of ventilators and other medical items considering their immediate requirement in view of the COVID-19 situation, the Union Finance Ministry has informed in a press note.
The other items to be included under the exemption are face masks, surgical masks, personal protection equipment (PPE), COVID-19 test kits and inputs for their local manufacturing, the ministry said.
The exemption on basic customs duty will come into effect immediately and continue till September 30.






![Shah Rukh Khan Turns Heads In New Ad [Watch]; Fans Convinced ‘King’ Is Coming In Full Swag](https://assets.odishabytes.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/shah_rukh_khan_1780563184132_1780563184391_c70fd3d9-7d41-4f25-80c7-f7ad2ea4fd4b.webp)










