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One Bond, One Nation: India’s SEB Reform Sets a New Trade Compliance Benchmark
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....ne Bond, One Nation: India’s SEB Reform Sets a New Trade Compliance Benchmark<br>By: - DrJoshua Ebenezer<br>Goods and Services Tax - GST<br>Dated:- 2-8-2025<br>India's Customs administration has taken a major leap forward in trade simplification. On 17 February 2025, CBIC issued Circular No. 04/2025-Customs, officially launching the Single All-India Multipurpose Electronic Bond (SEB)&n....
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....bsp;under the broader "Ekal Anubandh" project. This reform is not just an administrative tweak, it's a foundational enabler of India's digital trade vision. Until now, importers and exporters were burdened with multiple transaction-specific bonds and bank guarantees, separate for each port and scheme (e.g., Advance Authorisation, EPCG, Warehousing, Provisional Assessment). Each bond req....
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....uired notarisation, physical storage, and port-wise execution. With SEB, that complexity is gone. One bond. Nationwide. Digital. Flexible. Highlights of the SEB System * Single bond usable for all customs obligations across India * Fully digital execution via NeSL (including e-stamp & e-signature) * Seamless e-BG linking with banks through ICEGATE * Covers obliga....
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....tions under: * Advance Authorisation * DFIA & EPCG * Warehousing (Section 59) * MOOWR Manufacturing * Provisional Assessments (CAROTAR, Valuation, SVB, etc.) Why This Reform Matters-TFA and UNCITRAL Context India ratified the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) in 2016, committing to reduce trade friction through transparency, simplification, and paperless procedures. Arti....
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....cles 10.1 and 10.2 of TFA specifically require countries to: * Simplify formalities and documentation requirements * Eliminate duplication and promote automation The SEB initiative aligns perfectly with these goals by: * Eliminating repetitive bond filings * Enabling a risk-based approach for customs control * Supporting self-certification and post-clearance aud....
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....it readiness Moreover, SEB is in step with the principles of the UNCITRAL Model Law on Electronic Transferable Records (MLETR), which promotes: * Legal equivalence of e-documents and paper-based instruments * Cross-border recognition of digital obligations * Trustworthy digital signatures and audit trails India's move to adopt digitally enforceable customs bonds through NeSL....
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.... is a step toward MLETR-compliant trade infrastructure, vital as global supply chains demand interoperable, paperless systems. Impact for Businesses Before SEB: A manufacturer with 3 export schemes and 2 warehousing entries at 4 ports had to submit 5 separate bonds + BGs = paperwork nightmare. With SEB: One digital bond, filed once, reused everywhere. Amendable. Trackable. Linked to your I....
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....CEGATE account. What Importers and Exporters Should Do Now * Access SEB module on ICEGATE * Choose applicable obligations (EPCG, warehouse, etc.) * Execute bond digitally (e-stamp + NeSL e-sign) * Link e-BG from listed banks * Submit and receive SEB Number * Track bond usage across ports and obligations A Step Toward "Facilitrade" India's customs reforms are finally c....
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....onverging with global best practices. SEB is not just a digital form, it's an infrastructure for frictionless trade, scalable to future use cases like: * Digital surety for AEO Tier-2/3 * Automated refunds & incentives (RoDTEP, DBK) * Smart audit trail for valuation & origin verification The "One Bond, One Nation" idea is now a reality. CBIC's SEB reform is proof that true trade ....
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....facilitation begins with simplification and trust.<br> Scholarly articles for knowledge sharing by authors, experts, professionals ....