Guidelines for executing bonds :
The bond should be executed on the non-judicial stamp paper of appropriate value. The bond amount should be sufficient to cover the duty liability. The bond should be signed by the obligor or by the authorised agent. The surety should be for the full amount and the person standing as surety should be solvent to extent of the amount covered. The security should normally be limited to the 25% of the bond amount.
In case of exporters, certain specific categories i.e. Super Star Trading House, Star Trading House, Exporters registered with Export Promotion Council & Registered Exporters need not furnish any bank guarantee/cash security while executing export bonds. They may furnish sureties only. This is a modification over the previous instruction contained in Board’s Circular No.284/118/96-Cx dated 31.12.96.
In the case of 100% E.O.Us obtaining indigenous goods without payment of duty under a notification issued under section 5A of the Central Excise Act, 1944, acceptance of surety bond instead of bank guarantee is permissible. In respect of 100% EOUs & EPZ s units may continue to execute bond in the Format given in Form B-17 under the erstwhile Central Excise Rules, 1944. While executing combined B17 Bond security to the extent of 5% of the value of the bond in the form bank guarantee or cash deposit or any other mode of security may be accepted in lieu of surety (Board’s letter F.No.305/86/98 -FTT dated 19./6/98). Fresh bond may not be taken, where the existing units have already furnished bond in B-17 Form prior to 1.7.2001. The existing bond may be simply re-validated under the new rules.
The export bonds executed under rule 19 of the said Rules should be accepted within 24 Hours or the next working day and communicated to the exporter by the Deputy/Assistant Commissioner of Central Excise or Maritime Commissioner or any other officer authorised by the Board in this behalf.
Bonds should be executed in favour of and in the name of the President of India. They should be properly stamped. The prescribed wordings of the bond form must be copied out on a non judicial stamp paper of the appropriate amount (to be locally ascertained), except where arrangement can be made for embossing printed forms or where the State Government rules require otherwise. The bonds must be executed on stamp paper of the respective State Government in which the registered persons business is situated.