Details of the Cabinet Decision on the Regulation Exempting Vehicles of Persons with Disabilities from Customs Duties and Taxes
Ramallah – The customs exemption granted for vehicles of persons with disabilities constitutes a fundamental pillar of the social protection system, as it directly contributes to enhancing the independence of this group, enabling their active integration into daily life, and alleviating the economic burdens on their families. In this context, the Palestinian National Authority continues its legislative and regulatory efforts aimed at safeguarding the rights of persons with disabilities and expanding the scope of services provided to them.
In this regard, the Palestinian Council of Ministers, during its weekly session held today, Wednesday, approved the executive regulation for exempting vehicles of persons with disabilities from customs duties and taxes. This step represents a significant legislative achievement that strengthens the rights framework of persons with disabilities in Palestine.
The adoption of this regulation came as a result of an intensive participatory effort, whereby a legal and technical committee was formed comprising representatives from the Ministry of Social Development, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Finance and Planning, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Transport and Communications, in addition to the Palestinian General Union of Persons with Disabilities. The committee conducted a comprehensive review of all relevant reports and studies in order to reach the final version approved by the Cabinet.
The new regulation features several key updates, most notably:
Expanding the range of disabilities covered by the exemption
The regulation is no longer limited to persons with physical disabilities; it now includes complete visual and hearing disabilities, severe intellectual disabilities, and severe autism spectrum disorder.
Setting a customs exemption ceiling and eligibility criteria
The regulation establishes a clear ceiling for the granted exemption and introduces strict controls and eligibility standards to ensure that the benefit is provided only to those who are truly entitled to it.
A transitional phase to ensure proper implementation
The regulation is set to be implemented six months from the date of its issuance, allowing sufficient time to finalize detailed implementation instructions, qualify and train the customs exemption committee, and enable the Ministry of Health to train specialized medical committees and strengthen them with specialists in hearing and vision. This aims to ensure that every person with a disability receives their legitimate right to the exemption.
The Ministry affirms its close follow-up on the implementation phases of the regulation in coordination with all relevant authorities, ensuring that its provisions are translated into a tangible reality that reaches every eligible beneficiary.