One of the essential things that the people in the country faced and are still facing is the oxygen concentrator through which the patient suffering or dealing with the virus can breathe and survive. Even though India is the leading oxygen producer in the world, the country lacks providing oxygen concentrators for a lot of people for various reasons and the lack of medical facilities leads to a lot of deaths in the country.
Oxygen Concentrators differ from Oxygen Cylinders in that concentrators can be used at home and with patients who are in the middle stage of their illness and require oxygen to breathe at the same time, whereas cylinders are provided in hospitals for patients with chronic conditions. Oxygen concentrators are comparatively portable and easy-to-carry to massive cylinders even though they are not the right kind of solution for the ones dealing with sever case of COVID-19.
While oxygen cylinders have a fixed amount of oxygen compressed within them and need refilling, oxygen concentrators can provide an infinite supply of medical-grade oxygen if they continue to have power backup. Providing oxygen machines was one of the challenges that the people in India had to face due to the factory outlets being located on the outskirts of the city and the increase in demand also restricted providing people with oxygen concentrators.
Seeing the situation and the need of the hour, many people living abroad took it upon themselves to provide oxygen concentrators for their families or simply to donate to hospitals so that people's needs are met. The government of India also shipped oxygen concentrates from abroad to provide the people with the essentials. The government of India has allowed an exemption for oxygen till 31st July 2021.
Let’s look at how to ship Oxygen Concentrators in India to help save lives. There are three ways to ship the oxygen concentrator; individually, via companies, and third parties.
If an Oxygen Machine is imported by an individual:
- The importer has to ensure that the oxygen machine is shipped from the United States to India.
- The oxygen concentrator should be classified under CTH 98049000 attracting IGST @ 12% on assessable value and 10% customs duty.
- Please ensure you remove the batteries from the battery-powered units of the oxygen machine.
- The importer's Know your Customer or POA documents should be checked.
- To the freight forwarder, the imported must provide a declaration as well as a technical write-up stating that the oxygen concentrator is not a dangerous good (DG).
If Oxygen Machine is imported by companies:
- The oxygen concentrator should be classified under CTH 90192090 attracting IGST @ 12% on the assessable value.
- The KYC or POA documents of the company, including the code and GSTIN, should be in check.
- Make sure you have the authorized dealer code.
- Since the oxygen machine is a medical device, the importer must have NOC from the drug controller office as it is required during customs.
- It is also advisable to let the companies know why you are purchasing the machine (gift or donation).
If an Oxygen Machine is imported via a third party:
- Go to the website of the shipping company that provides the shipping services to India.
- Enter your country along with the receiver's country.
- Enter the shipping weight of the oxygen concentrator as required.
- Select the most suitable option provided by the company listing pricing, delivery time, pick up or drop off details.
- Write the dimensions of the oxygen concentrator.
- After you've selected the shipping option, enter the sender’s info, the recipient’s info, and other data.
- Make the payment and wait.
Please make sure to include all of the sender's and receiver's contact information in the required section, and DO NOT refer to the item as Oxygen Concentrator but as O2 C.
Cost of the oxygen machine while shipping to India:
- 5L Invacre oxygen concentrator = ~ $995 USD
- 5L Philips EverFlo oxygen concentrator = ~ $1500 USD
- 10L Invacre oxygen concentrator = ~ $1995 USD
- 10L EverFlo oxygen concentrator = ~ $2500 USD
- Shipping to your US address = $160-$200 (1-2 day priority)
- Shipping to India = $350-$1200 USD
- GST = 12% on assessed value and 10% customs
As a shipper of the oxygen concentrator, we must check the below-mentioned things while shipping your concentrators to India:
- Detailed Invoice of the O2 Concentrator
- The declaration form that contents are not Dangerous Goods (DG) in nature.
- No batteries in the concentrator a technical write-up indicating the intended end-use of the device in India.
- Know your customer form
At Boxnbiz, our team of professionals has also stepped up to provide the essentials to the ones in need during the time of crisis with our shipping services. Our professionals and customer service representatives are knowledgeable, empathic, and patient. If you require any additional information about shipping Oxygen Concentrators, please contact our professionals today!
