I am directed refer to the Notification NO. 42/2001-CE(BT) dated 26.6.2001 effective from 1.7.2001 which prescribes the procedure for export of excisable goods except Nepal and Bhutan without payment of duty. This notification replaces the earlier procedure governing export of such goods and there is no major departure from the procedure prevailing so far.

2.     This notification prescribes ARE-1 format in place of the existing AR-4 format for application to be filed by the exporter. Similarly, the format for the bond to be furnished by the exporters and CT-1 format for obtaining indigenous excisable goods without payment of duty has also been prescribed vides the said notification. In this regard, representations have been received from the trade that the export consignments are held up in the factory and at the ports insisting for bond in the new format, for CT-1 instead of the existing facility of block transfer and for ARE-1 instead of AR-4, which prevailed earlier.

3.     The matter has been examined by the Board and it is clarified that following of the new procedures should not be a ground for holding up of the export consignments. There has not been any major change in the procedures to be followed except for some minor simplifications. Thus, the exporters may be allowed to follow the procedure prevailing prior to 1.7.2001 till 31.7.2001 and export consignments should not be help up as long as it is satisfied that the procedure laid down and prevailing prior to 1.7.2001 has been duly followed.

4.     Necessary action may be taken to clear all consignments in the light of the above instruction.

5.     Trade and field formations may be suitably informed.

6.     Hindi version would follow.