Electronics companies seek duty waiver on mask machines

NEW DELHI: India’s electronics makers have asked the finance ministry to exempt surgical mask making machines from basic customs duty (BCD) and health cess for a three month period till June 30, as the companies are aiming to make masks in large quantities.

Electronics companies including leading phone makers are making masks for donating to front line workers fighting the Covid-19 outbreak but have to import machines from China and Taiwan to undertake mass production, according to industry executives.

“We request that the exemption similar to that given to inputs for manufacture of surgical masks should be allowed for the mask making machines as well,” the Indian Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) said in a letter to revenue secretary Ajay Bhushan Pandey, dated April 19.