ISLAMABAD, Oct 14: The Central Board of Revenue (CBR) has exempted import of tents, blankets and tarpaulins for the earthquake victims from customs duty, sales tax and withholding tax.

The decision was notified through a customs notification issued here on Friday. The exemption would be effective from October 13, 2005.

Currently, the import of tents, blankets and tarpaulins attract 25 per cent customs duty, 15 per cent sales tax and 6 per cent withholding tax.

The facility would help the private sector to import these products from the neighbouring countries like India, Iran, Turkey, China, South Korea for providing shelters to the earthquake affected people.