The government has waived the duties imposed on five imported raw materials for locally produced sanitary napkins.
This is in order to make hygiene products more affordable for women and school girls, said the President’s Media Division.
It has also been decided to provide tax concessions for imported sanitary napkins as well.
Accordingly, the price of a pack of 10 sanitary napkins produced locally will be reduced by Rs. 50 to Rs. 60 with these tax concessions.
The maximum retail price of a pack will be between Rs. 260 and Rs. 270.
According to the PMD, the consumer retail prices of imported finished products will be reduced by 18 per cent or 19 pc.
In accordance with instructions by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, authorities are taking necessary measures to grant duty and tax concessions.
Hence, manufacturers should get the recommendation from the Secretary to the Ministry of Industries to get the tax concessions at the import stage of the raw materials and the mechanism has already been formulated.
Accordingly, the customs import duty of 15 pc, CESS duty of 10 pc to 15 pc and Port and Airport Development Levy of 10 pc have been waived on the importation of five raw materials and import of intermediate goods.
Locally manufactured sanitary napkins are given zero rate of VAT.
Importers of sanitary napkins also get the benefit of zero rate of VAT.
