The Central Government through notification dated 31st May, 2021 provides the procedure for import clearance of goods intended to be donated to the Central Government or State Government or, on recommendation of State authority, to any relief agency, entity or statutory body for free distribution. Before clearance of the said goods, the importer shall submit to the Deputy or the Assistant Commissioner of Customs, a certificate from the Central Government, or a nodal authority that the imported goods are meant for free distribution for COVID relief.
The importer shall produce before the Deputy or the Assistant Commissioner of Customs at the port of import, within a period of six months from the date of importation, or within such extended period not exceeding nine months from the said date as that Deputy or Assistant Commissioner of Customs may allow,-
- A certificate from the Central Government or State government, as the case may be, that the imported goods were received by them for free distribution; or
- in case the imported goods are donated to any relief agency on the recommendation of the nodal authority, a statement containing details of the said goods distributed free of cost, duly certified by the said nodal authority of the State Government.
