1.1         The conditions and procedure relating to export without payment of duty (i.e. duty under the Central Excise Act, 1944, the Additional Duties of Excise (Goods of Special Importance) Act, 1957 (58 of 1957), the Additional Duties of Excise (Textiles and Textile Articles) Act, 1978 (40 of 1978); and special excise duty collected under a Finance Act) are contained in Notification Nos. 42/2001-Central Excise (N.T.) to 45/2001-Central Excise (N.T.), all dated 26^th June, 2001 issued under rule 19 of the Central Excise (No.2) Rules, 2001 (hereinafter referred to as the said Rules). The new rule 19 corresponds to rule 13 of the Central Excise Rules, 1944.

1.2         Some important changes have been introduced under the present procedure, which are mentioned below and explained in detail subsequently: -

1. The concept of furnishing of a ‘Letter of Undertaking’ by a manufacturer-exporter has been introduced. The clearances for export by a manufacturer-exporter will be effected similar to clearances for home consumption after he furnishes Letter of Undertaking.
2. The merchant-exporters are required to file ‘bond’ in specified format. A manufacturer-exporter may also file bond and follow the ‘bond-procedure’ specified in the notification.
3. Under bond procedure, the concept of ‘self-debit’ by the exporter has been introduced. The exporter need not go to the ‘bond-accepting authority for a ‘debit-certificate’ before each removal.
4. The procedure of ‘acceptance of proof of export’ has been simplified. The concept of ‘ Self-credit" based on the copy of A.R.E.1 duly certified by Customs authorities at the place of export is being introduced.
5. In each Commissionerate of Central Excise, there will be an officer designated as ‘Deputy/Assistant Commissioner of Central Excise (Exports)’ whose functions will be similar to the Maritime Commissioners.
6. Number of copies of ‘application for Removal (A.R.E.1)’ has been reduced compared to AR-4. This will be further reduced after completion of computer networking in the Department enabling ‘on-line verification’ of exports.