In response to an increase in COVID-19 cases in the region, the Central government had allowed the import of oxygen concentrators for personal use through post, courier, or e-commerce portals under the gift category on Friday, April 30, 2021.
As per a notification from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, the allowance for oxygen concentrators is only valid for individual use until (July 31, 2021). (DGFT).
A device that concentrates oxygen from ambient air is known as an oxygen concentrator. Due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in the region, it is in high demand. Unlike oxygen bottles, which can only hold a fixed quantity of oxygen, these concentrators absorb and filter the air.
"Except for life-saving drugs/medicines/oxygen concentrators and rakhi (but not gifts relevant to rakhi), import of goods, including those obtained from e-commerce portals, via post or courier, where customs clearance is sought as gifts is forbidden", the notification read.
Previously, oxygen concentrators were not on the registry. It has now been introduced due to the high demand for COVID-19 cases. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade released a notice to that effect, amending paragraph 2.25 of the Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20.
