All duties imposed on the import of raw materials for the domestic manufacture of sanitary napkins will be removed and the tax concession will be provided for five main raw materials.
The waiving off of the duties will pave for a domestically manufactured sanitary napkin to be sold for a maximum retail price of Rs. 260 – 270.
“All duties imposed on imported raw material for domestically manufactured sanitary napkins waived off and the importers of finished sanitary napkins will get Zero rate VAT benefit. The President directs the authorities pass the benefit to consumers,” the President’s Media Division said in a statement.
Accordingly, domestically manufactured sanitary napkins will be taxed at zero rate of VAT and the 15 per cent custom duty, 10-15 per cent cess and 100 per cent port and airport development tax will be waived off.
President Wickremesinghe has given instructions to the relevant officials regarding the tax concession and the importers should obtain the recommendation of the Secretary of the Ministry of Industries, do they wish to obtain the relief.
Importers of finished sanitary napkins will also be entitled to zero rate VAT relief, the PMD added.
MIAP