The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has notified the single Unified Multi-Purpose Electronic Bond in Customs-Ekal Anubandh.
National e-Governance Service Limited (NeSL) recognised as information Utility (IU) under The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), 2016, is mandated to serve as a repository of legal evidence for financial credit contracts. Department of Financial Services (DFS), Government of India vide Circular F. No. 6/2/2019-BO.II dated 11.08.2020 has already initiated ‘Digital Document Execution or DDE`, which is a mode for paperless execution and storage of financial contracts, through M/s NeSL.
CBIC’s ongoing initiatives to simplify trade processes, improve transparency, and adopt best practices have resulted in steady improvements across various trade facilitation metrics. Leveraging Information technology, many processes have become paperless and contactless, thus providing ease and less time consuming for the trade.
In the same direction, to enhance efficiency and reduce the administrative load on businesses, CBIC has decided to introduce a project named “Ekal Anubandh”, wherein trade will be encouraged to use single All-India Multi-purpose Electronic Bond with end-to-end automation.
As a first step, a single All-India Multipurpose Bond for importers or exporters in lieu of the transaction-wise Bonds being submitted across different ports, thus offering significant potential to save both time and costs in trade procedures.
What is Single All-India Multipurpose electronic Bond (SEB)?
To overcome above issues and to provide end-to-end digital solution, in lieu of submission of separate bonds, importer or exporter will have an option to submit a Single All-India Multipurpose electronic Bond (SEB) with various features.
Importer/Exporter can choose the obligations he intends to undertake in the common bond format and submit at any port of importer’s choice electronically at ICEGATE.
Single All-India Multipurpose electronic Bond has an option to include additional obligations or additional amount at the later stage is available at ICEGATE.
Electronic Payment of stamp duty and electronic execution of Bond through integration with National E-Governance Services Limited (NeSL) by affixing electronic signature without any requirement for notary.
Online linking End-to-End issued Electronic Bank Guarantee.
Verification of Bank Guarantee (BG) issued by issuing Bank.
Submission of Bank Guarantee
Along with the execution of Bond, procedure for submission of Bank Guarantees is also being streamlined. For the sake of uniformity, the quantum of Bank Guarantee to be provided in the different instances prescribed earlier through the Board circulars have been collated and made available. The importer/exporter may also be able to select the quantum of bank guarantee applicable for different purposes like provisional assessment, EP schemes etc. A separate option is also available in case there is a need for having a different quantum of bank guarantee other than those specifically listed.
With electronic bonds and bank guarantees, importers/exporters/customs brokers can manage and track documents in real time, ensuring greater security and transparency throughout transactions.
The “Ekal Anubandh” project ensures that above digital solutions are environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and more convenient, as they eliminate the need for physical signatures and paperwork, allowing for faster approvals and fewer delays.
Therefore, the importers and exporters are encouraged that, wherever required, importers/exporters/customs brokers may execute a single unified multi-purpose electronic bond and electronic bank guarantee.
For further details of the e-Bond and e-Bank Guarantee module, detailed Advisories issued by ICEGATE website may be referred to.
The Single All-India Multipurpose electronic Bond (SEB) under “Ekal Anubandh” project shall be implemented through detailed advisories being issued by DG Systems in a phased manner. User feedback will be suitably incorporated during implementation.
The Chief Commissioners of the Zones may sensitize the officers under their jurisdiction of the above changes to handhold the trade. Necessary Public Notice may be issued and outreach activities conducted with the relevant stakeholders. Difficulties, if any may be brought to the notice of the Board.
Circular Details
Circular No. 04/2025-Customs
Date: 17/02/2025
