News Date: 30 March 2023

• The Central Government has given full exemption from basic customs duty on all drugs and Food for Special Medical Purposes imported for personal use for treatment of all Rare Diseases listed under the National Policy for Rare Diseases 2021 through a general exemption notification.
• To avail this exemption, an individual importer must present a certificate from the Central or State Director Health Services, or District Medical Officer/Civil Surgeon of the district.
• While drugs and medicines typically attract basic customs duty of 10%, some categories of lifesaving drugs/vaccines may qualify for a concessional rate of 5% or Nil.
• Despite exemptions already being provided for specified drugs used to treat Spinal Muscular Atrophy or Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, numerous representations have been received by the Government requesting customs duty relief for drugs and medicines used in the treatment of other Rare Diseases. The cost of treatment for such diseases is often high, and the exemption is expected to result in substantial cost savings and provide much-needed relief to patients.
• Additionally, the Government has fully exempted Pembrolizumab (Keytruda) used in the treatment of various cancers from basic customs duty.