Duty waiver on sanitary, anti-dust face masks extended until Sept 30
The government has extended the exemption period for import duty on sanitary and anti-dust face masks as well as their manufacturing components until September 30.
In a Facebook post on Monday, government deputy spokesperson Ratchada Thanadirek said: “The move aims to ensure adequate supply of face masks during the Covid-19 outbreak as well as amid the air pollution caused by PM 2.5 dust particles.
“This exemption will cover face masks or components used to manufacture face masks for surgery or other medical purposes, and masks that protect against dust, smog or other toxic substances.”
In March 2020, the government had waived import duty on face masks, medical equipment, Covid-19 virus test kits and anti-virus medicine. The measure had expired in December last year, right before the new wave of outbreak was reported in Samut Sakhon province.
“The government estimates that extension of the waiver would result in lost revenue of about Bt9 million, or more, depending on the domestic demand for face masks,” Ratchada said in her post.