Personal protective equipment and other medical emergency supplies for COVID-19 response will be subject to import duties as the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act has already expired, Bureau of Customs announced.
Republic Act 11469 inked in March allowed the procurement of necessary medical items in the “most expeditious manner.”
It also allowed the exemption of PPE like gloves, goggles and face shields, as well as laboratory and surgical equipment, alcohol, sanitizers, thermometers, soap, and COVID-19 test kits from import duties, taxes, and fees during the three-month validity of the measure. It expired on June 24.
“Following the expiration of the said guidelines, the public is advised to pay the required duties and taxes for imports of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other medical emergency supplies beginning June 25, 2020,” Customs said in a June 27 advisory.
The legislative branch is discussing the possibility of a special session to tackle the bill providing for the Bayanihan to Recover As One or Bayanihan II.
