The Central Excise Act, 1944 has consolidated and amended the law relating to central duties of excise on goods manufactured or produced in certain parts of India. The Act contains conditions and procedure relating to export without payment of duty, such as valuation of excisable goods for purposes of charging of duty of excise, power of Central Government to charge excise duty on the basis of capacity of production in respect of notified goods, etc. With a view to facilitate foreign trade, some important changes have been introduced in the present procedure under the Central Excise Act, 1944; the Additional Duties of Excise (Goods of Special Importance) Act, 1957; the Additional Duties of Excise (Textiles and Textile Articles) Act, 1978. Now, the clearances for export by a manufacturer-exporter will be effected similar to clearances for home consumption after he furnishes Letter of Undertaking. Under the 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. 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. The establishment of the ‘Authority for Advance Ruling’ by the Finance Act 1999 has brought greater transparency and predictability in trade.
