Logistics terms · Logistics terms

What does Earnest money deposit (EMD) mean in logistics?

Short answer

A deposit submitted with a bid to show the bidder is serious; it is forfeited if the bidder withdraws or refuses the award, and refunded to unsuccessful bidders.

Standard in Indian government and PSU tenders. Under the General Financial Rules, 2017 buyers may accept a bid security declaration instead, and registered micro and small enterprises are often exempt from EMD. Ask our desk how this applies to your consignment.

Period: General definition. Data as of 29 Sep 2026. How we count

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The numbers behind this answer

Also called
EMD, bid security
Category
Contracts & pricing
Related terms
Performance bank guarantee (PBG), Government e-Marketplace (GeM), Central Public Procurement Portal (CPPP), MSME / Udyam registration

Sources

  1. SSL logistics glossary

Period: General definition. Data as of 29 Sep 2026.

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