The government has announced that, starting October 1, 2025, through March 31, 2026, a selection of essential food items will be exempt from value-added tax (VAT), as stated by the Minister of Finance during the 2025/2026 national budget presentation. A government press release stated that during this period, these items will be free from VAT at any stage of importation or sale. Here is a list of the food and other essential products that will benefit from this exemption:– Codfish (HS code 0305.51.00)– Salted herrings (HS code 0305.61.00)– Onions (HS code 0703.10.10)– Garlic (HS code 0703.20.00)– Split peas (HS code 0713.10.20)– Black-eyed peas (HS code 0713.39.10)– Red kidney beans (HS code 0713.33.10)– Lentils (HS code 0713.40.00)– Pigeon peas, also known as Cajanus cajan (HS code 0713.60.00)– Oats (HS codes 1101.12.00 and 1104.22.00)– Cream of wheat (HS code 1103.11.10)– Cornmeal (HS code 1103.13.00)– Luncheon meat (HS code 1602.49.10)– Canned corned beef (HS code 1602.50.10)– Canned herring (HS code 1604.12.00)– Canned sardines (HS code 1604.13.10)– Canned tunas (HS code 1604.14.10)– Canned mackerel (HS code 1604.15.00)– Cereals (HS code 1904)– Unsweetened biscuits (HS code 1905.90.10)– Orange juice (HS code 2009.10)– Tomato ketchup (HS code 2103.20.10)– Toothpaste (HS code 3306.10.10)– Laundry detergents (HS codes 3402.20 20 and 3402.20 30)– Toilet paper (HS code 4818.10.00)– Sanitary towels and tampons (HS code 9619.00.11 and 9619.00.21)– Napkins and napkin liners for babies and adults (HS codes 9619.00.12, 9619.00.13, 9619.00.22, and 9619.00.23)– Almond milk (HS code 2202.99.99.10)– Soy milk (HS code 2202.99.99.20)Additionally, the following items will have a zero percent import duty rate during this period:– Pigeon peas (HS code 0713.60.00)– Luncheon meat (HS code 1602.49.10)– Canned corned beef (HS code 1602.50.10)– Cereals (HS code 1904)– Unsweetened biscuits (HS code 1905.90.10)– Orange juice (HS code 2009.10)– Tomato ketchup (HS code 2103.20.10)– Toothpaste (HS code 3306.10.10)– Laundry detergents (HS codes 3402.20 20 and 3402.20 30)– Almond milk (HS code 2202.99.99.10)– Soy milk (HS code 2202.99.99.20)