Shipping Oxygen Concentrators from Singapore to India

India is currently in the midst of a resurgence of a second wave of COVID-19. According to the BBC, as of May 4, 2021, India announced a daily case count at 400,000 - the highest since the pandemic commenced. This surge of cases is putting intense pressure on the country’s healthcare system, which has led to a shortage in supply of oxygen cylinders at medical facilities.

Although India stands as one of the leading oxygen-producers in the world, producing over 7000 tons a day, most of its plants are located far away from the urban hubs, posing a challenge and increase in costs for many healthcare institutes to arrange for their own logistical transportation to replenish their oxygen cylinders.

As such, the demand for life-saving oxygen concentrators in India has gone up in order to cater to the growing need. Singapore extends its support to send oxygen concentrators and DHL Express Singapore is proud to be given the opportunity to facilitate the international transportation requirements. 

Oxygen concentrators are available in different types and are made of different components, some of which may be classified as Dangerous Goods (DG). Incorrect declarations or failure to meet customs regulatory standards may result in delays, returns, or, in the worst case, abandonment of the shipments.

If you are looking to send such devices to Indian hospitals, here’s what you need to know about the customs requirements and what to look out for in the particular Oxygen Concentrator you are sending.

CUSTOMS IMPORT GUIDE FOR IMPORTING OXYGEN CONCENTRATORS INTO INDIA:

Requirements if imported by individuals:

1. Goods classified under CTH 98049000 attracting IGST @ 12% on assessable value (as of 1 May 2021).
2. KYC/POA documents of the importer.
3. AD code (Authorized Dealer Code) in case assessable value is > 1 lakh. (INR 100000).
4. Since this is a medical device, “No Objection Certification” from the drug controller office, Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), might be mandated by Customs.

Note: There are several types of Oxygen Concentrators in the market. The sender needs to confirm that there’s no built-in battery and that it is a non-dangerous good (DG). The shipper will then have to provide a declaration (linked below), along with a technical write-up that explains the intended end-use of the device.

• Non-restricted medical device declared on the waybill
• Attach the product brochure (if possible) as a supporting shipping document.
• Provide a shipper declaration that this is a non-DG shipment and contains no batteries in it.

In case the shipper fails to confirm either, the customer/shipper will need to obtain MSDS and contact us via our live chat to ensure the MSDS is vetted by our in-house specialist.

Requirements if imported by companies:

1. Goods will be classified under CTH 90192090 attracting IGST @ 12% on assessable value.
2. KYC/POA documents of the company including IEC (Importer-Exporter code) and GSTIN (Goods & Services Tax ID).
3. AD code (Authorized Dealer Code) in case assessable value is > 1 lakh.
4. Since this is a medical device, “No Objection Certification” from the drug controller office Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) may be mandated by customs.

Note: It is recommended that the products being shipped have a Certificate of Compliance with respect to ISO 13485 standard accredited by National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies or International Accreditation Forum.

Consignee Compliances:

1. KYC compliance - Consignee KYC is mandatory before DHL proceeds with customs clearance. The Consignee Name and Address on Airway bill & Invoice must be identical to consignee KYC.
2. Consignee who has not yet registered their KYC with DHL, must upload their information as soon as shipment is picked up. (https://www.dhlindia-kyc.com/).
3. Non-Individual must provide valid IEC + GSTIN unless the documentary evidence proves that the consignee is exempted
4. Consignee will be responsible for compliance from an India angle. Hence need to take sufficient due diligence to ensure compliance  

What does the Shipper need to do?

1. Check and confirm that there is no built-in batteries of any kind. 
2. Provide shipper’s declaration that contents are not Dangerous Goods (DG) in nature. Refer to attached for shipper’s declaration form.  
3. Provide a technical write-up indicating the intended end-use of the device in India.
4. Declare as “Contents for COVID-19 Purpose. Oxygen Concentrators, non-restricted medical device” on DHL waybill.
5. Attached the product brochure as the supporting documentation (if possible).
6. KYC compliance- Consignee KYC is mandatory before DHL proceed with customs clearance. The Consignee Name and Address on Airway bill & Invoice must be identical to consignee KYC. If your consignee has not yet registered their KYC with DHL, information must be uploaded as soon as shipment is picked up. (https://www.dhlindia-kyc.com/). It is better shipper takes some time to validate the name & address rather than make requests / escalate post-handover to DHL.
7. Please note that IGST is payable and has not been exempted till date. 
8. Please do not send used/second hand/refurbished items into India
9. All Oxygen Concentrators must come with an invoice indicating the value regardless if it was obtained free or at a discounted rate.
10. DHL business account holders may be guided to send shipment on DDP basis for shipment which are gifts or supplied free of cost or online sale/B2C.

What should be included on the invoice?

Ensure that the Commercial Invoice contains the following elements:

• To be in English and typed/printed
• Currency in invoice must be in the currency which is recognized in Indian Customs (Indian Customs recognizes Australian Dollar, Bahrain Dinar, Canadian Dollar, Danish Kroner, EURO, Hong Kong Dollar, Japanese Yen, Kenya Shilling, Kuwait Dinar, New Zealand Dollar, Norwegian Kroner, Pound Sterling, Saudi Arabian Riyal, Singapore Dollar, South African Rand, Swedish Kroner, Swiss Franc, UAE Dirham, US Dollar)
• Full technical description of content. To include “Contents for COVID-19 Purpose. Oxygen Concentrators, non-restricted medical device”
• Actual quantity of the contents with the applicable unit of measure 
• Value declared must be true and correct. Even free of charge supply must mention the actual price of the product (value/price paid)
• Country of origin

OTHER RELATED COMMODITIES:

Ventilator

1. Companies can import it with duty exemption on basic duty and health cess (Notification 28/2021).
2. No Objection Certification from the drug controller office Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) may be mandated. Hence, the importer needs to ensure valid paperwork.
3. Duty benefit is not applicable for import by individual.
4. It will be recommended that the products being shipped have a certificate of compliance with respect to ISO 13485 standard accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies or International Accreditation Forum.

Remdisivir

1. Companies can import it with duty exemption on basic duty (Notification 27/2021).
   • Company will need to provide an applicable drug license.
2. Import by individuals will attract full duty.
   • 42.080% on value assessed by customs if it is not a gift.
   • 77.280% on value assessed by customs if the item is a gift.
   • Individuals will need to provide form 12B {https://cdscoonline.gov.in/CDSCO/Drugs_Personal}
   • Goods can get cleared duty free if Competent Authority like Director General or Deputy Director General or Assistant Director General, Health Services, New Delhi, Director of Health Services of the State Government or the District Medical Officer/Civil Surgeon of the district, in each individual case, says that the goods are lifesaving drugs or medicines (Regarding description, quantity and technical specificity).

How is DHL Express helping in shipping these items?

By catering to the supply of Oxygen Concentrators in India, it will support the country’s temporary shortage and ease the pressure on hospitals and medical facilities.

At DHL Express, we have an in-house customs clearance team, in both Singapore and India that have the technical know-how on shipping various commodities between both countries. One advantage is the relationship built with the local customs authorities that allow us up-to-date information that we use to facilitate a smoother clearance on all our shipments.

We are dedicated to help our customers deliver their shipments in a timely, safe, and compliant manner. Reach out to our Certified International Specialists if you need further clarifications on shipping Oxygen Concentrators today!