Manual Signature can Substitute Digital Signature for Excise, Says CBEC

[CBEC Circular No. 1038 dated 19^th July 2016]

Sub: Manual signatures on digitally signed invoices.

Attention is invited to Notification No. 18/2015-Central Excise (NT) dated 06.07.2015 by which conditions, safeguards and procedures in relation to authentication of invoices by digital signatures were specified. Representations have been received from the trade requesting for clarification on whether a manufacturer who opts to authenticate invoices with digital signature can simultaneously also authenticate invoices by manual signature. The need for the trade to simultaneously use digital and manual signature has apparently arisen because many of the customers of a manufacturer or service provider, who receive goods and services under cover of an invoice authenticated by a digital signature, do not have the requisite Information Technology infrastructure lo accept or receive such invoices electronically. In such situations they demand manually authenticated invoices from manufacturers or service providers who otherwise issue digitally signed invoices.

2. The issue has been examined. It is hereby clarified that a manufacturer or a service provider who opts to issue invoices authenticated by digital signature may print a copy of such invoice and sign them manually and forward the same to such customers who are unable to accept or receive the digitally signed invoices. Such invoices in effect would be authenticated by two signatures, digital signature as well as manual signature and would be considered to be in conformity with rule 11 of Central Excise Rules, 2002 or Rule 4A, 4B and 4C of the Service Tax Rules, 1994.Such invoices would also be a valid document to avail CENVAT credit.

3. Difficulty, if any, in implementing the circular should be brought to the notice of the Board.

F.No.224/44/2014-CX.6