CBIC Introduced Single All-India Multipurpose Electronic Bond (SEB) Under Customs Goods And Service Tax

In line with the announcement by the Hon’ble Finance Minister to digitize all the remaining Customs processes by mid-2026, the CBIC has taken another step toward digitization of Bonds. To enhance efficiency and reduce the administrative load on businesses, vide Circular No. 04/2025-Customs dated 170.02.2025, the CBIC has introduced a project named “Ekal Anubandh” wherein a single All-India Multi-purpose Electronic Bond with end-to-end automation has been introduced.

Currently, the importer and exporter must provide distinct bonds at various ports, accompanied by security for each transaction under different circumstances. This requirement elevates the financial burden on taxpayers and amplifies the administrative workload for businesses and customs authorities to maintain physical records.

To put a step further toward digitization, the CBIC has introduced a single All-India Multipurpose Bond for importers or exporters instead of the transaction-wise Bonds, thus offering significant potential to save both time and costs in trade procedures.

1. Single All-India Multipurpose electronic Bond (SEB):

To provide an end-to-end digital solution, instead of submission of separate bonds at different ports, the importer or exporter will have an option to submit a Single All-India Multipurpose electronic Bond (SEB) with the following features: 

1. Importer/Exporter can choose the obligations, he intend to undertake in the common bond format and submit at any port of importer’s choice electronically at ICEGATE;
2. Option to include additional obligations or additional amount at the later stage is available at ICEGATE;
3. 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;
4. Online linking End-to-End issued Electronic Bank Guarantee;
5. Verification of Bank Guarantee (BG) issued by the issuing Bank.

2. Digital payment of Stamp Duty for SEB:

• Stamp duty is required to be paid on the Custom bonds under the Indian Stamp Act, 1899.
• The process of execution of bonds electronically includes digital payment of stamp duty as well.
• Digital Stamping of documents and online payment of stamp duty shall be done through Stock Holding Corporation of India Limited (SHCIL) or Government Receipt Accounting System (GRAS) platforms. 
• The payment of stamp duty can be done via online mode through NeSL in specified states.

3. Process of execution of SEB:

The importer or exporter is to follow the mentioned procedure for execution of SEB:

1. SEB can be used for Provisional Assessment (including CAROTAR, Chemical tests etc), Export Promotion Schemes, Re-Export Purposes, Import as per Section 143, Warehousing under Public/Private/Special Warehouses, Manufacture and Other Operations in Private Warehouse etc.
2. The Bond Application can be initiated by selecting appropriate obligations along with the supporting documents in the ICEGATE Portal.
3. Along with the Bond, the person is required to mention appropriate purpose codes. Quantum of Bank Guarantee may also be indicated, if already known. It is pertinent to note that only quantum is to be indicated. Bank Guarantee may be submitted only when required during import or export of the goods. 
4. The Application will be scrutinized and the clarifications will be sought by the Customs Officer electronically. 
5. Once scrutiny is complete, a unique Bond Number is generated and affixed to the draft SEB and shared with NeSL via API for e-stamping and e-signing. 
6. Once stamp duty payment and electronic signature is affixed through the NeSL portal, the same will be forwarded to the concerned Assistant/ Deputy Commissioner for e-Signature. The finalized e-Bond is stored in the NeSL repository and also in e-Sanchit and is also available for use in the Customs Automated System. 
7. Option is also available to add additional obligations or the amount of bond at a later stage. 
8. The linkage of Bond with Bank Guarantee will be visible at the ICEGATE portal.

The CBIC has also clarified that since the Bond is executed in favour of the President of India, the same is enforceable by any authorized Commissioner (Customs)”. Also, given the capability to identify the executants and time-stamping of the electronic signatures, there is no further requirement of notaries during the SEB execution process.

Read Also: CBIC Issued Clarification on Applicability of GST on Various Services Such as Penal Charges, Services by Payment Aggregator etc.

4. Submission of Bank Guarantee: 

• The quantum of Bank Guarantee to be provided in the different instances is given in the circular itself.
• The importer/exporter may also be able to select the quantum of bank guarantee applicable for different purposes like provisional assessment, EP schemes, etc. Further, a separate option is also available in case there is a need for having a different quantum of bank guarantee other than the specified one.
• 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. 

5. Process of linking of Bank Guarantee with bonds

• The Bank Guarantees may be linked to the bond in the ICEGATE Portal.
• For linkage of e-Bank Guarantee (e-BG), the importer or exporter shall follow the below steps:
  • Importer may approach any specified bank for issuance of e-BG;
  • The bank generates the e-BG and transmits its details to NeSL. 
  • The importer/ exporter can link e-BG relevant Bond Number at ICEGATE by entering the unique number issued by the bank. 
  • Upon submission, the e-BG details are fetched from NeSL and validated against the applicant’s details in ICEGATE.
  • The importer/ exporter reviews and confirms the fetched details, including the e-BG pdf document, and will submit the linkage request. 
  • Once the linkage is approved, the linkage of e-BG with the e-Bond, all relevant details are reflected in the importer/ exporter’s dashboard. 
  • The importer may also link a based Bank Guarantee.

6. Conclusion

The “Ekal Anubandh” initiative guarantees that digital solutions are sustainable, economical, and more efficient, as they remove the necessity for physical signatures and documentation, thereby facilitating quicker approvals and reducing delays. This project will be executed through comprehensive guidelines provided by DG Systems in a systematic approach.