EU Extends Duty, VAT Exemptions on Medical Imports

The European Commission extended its customs duties and value-added tax exemptions on imports of medical equipment to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic, a July 23 notice said. The exemptions, “uninterrupted” through Oct. 31, apply to masks, protective equipment, testing kits, ventilators and “other medical equipment.” The EU in April applied the exemptions for six months with retroactive effect, from Jan. 30 until July 31 (see 2004030016).