Customs service details measures to help typhoon-hit companies

Taipei, July 7 (CNA) The Customs Administration (CA) under the Ministry of Finance announced Monday that it has instructed all customs offices to implement a series of measures to assist businesses and government agencies affected by Typhoon Danas.

These include helping them swiftly apply for tariff deductions or exemptions for damaged imported goods in accordance with relevant laws, the Customs Administration said.

It explained that under the Customs Act, businesses can apply for customs duty exemptions if their imported goods are damaged or rendered worthless due to the typhoon after unloading but before clearance.

If the goods were already taxed but damaged before being claimed due to a natural disaster, a tax refund can be requested.

Customs officials will also assist government agencies in claiming customs duty exemptions for imported or donated equipment and supplies intended for emergency rescue purposes, in accordance with Taiwan's tax regulations, according to the Customs Administration.

Moreover, supplies urgently needed for disaster areas -- such as daily necessities, medical drugs and equipment, construction machinery, sanitation equipment and disinfectants -- can be imported duty-free with a written declaration, the administration noted.

However, if there is no time to obtain official tax exemption approval from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the importer will be allowed to complete the application process within two months of the goods being imported, it said.

In addition, bonded goods in customs-supervised facilities -- including bonded factories and warehouses, duty-free shops, offshore duty-free shopping stores, science parks and free trade zones -- that are damaged during a natural disaster can apply for verification and write-offs from records, in accordance with relevant regulations upon approval.

If raw materials cannot be processed for tax refunds on time due to a natural disaster, businesses can apply for an extension of up to one year, the CA said.

Furthermore, all customs offices will set up a one-stop window to process fast-track clearance of relief supplies, it added.