---
title: "What does Earnest money deposit (EMD) mean in | SSL"
description: "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"
url: https://safeandsecure.in/answers/what-does-earnest-money-deposit-emd-mean-in-logistics/
canonical: https://safeandsecure.in/answers/what-does-earnest-money-deposit-emd-mean-in-logistics/
updated: 2026-09-29
lang: en-IN
publisher: Safe & Secure Logistics Private Limited
---

[Logistics terms](https://safeandsecure.in/answers/glossary/) · 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](https://safeandsecure.in/facts/)

[Ask on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/917506245557?text=Hi%20SSL%2C%20What%20does%20Earnest%20money%20deposit%20(EMD)%20mean%20in%20logistics%3F) [Get a quote](https://safeandsecure.in/ship/quote/)

We publish no freight rates. Our desk confirms your price within minutes.

## 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](https://safeandsecure.in/glossary/#emd)

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

## Related questions

- [What does Central Public Procurement Portal (CPPP) mean in logistics?](https://safeandsecure.in/answers/what-does-central-public-procurement-portal-cppp-mean-in-logistics/)
- [What does E-auction (reverse auction) mean in logistics?](https://safeandsecure.in/answers/what-does-e-auction-reverse-auction-mean-in-logistics/)
- [What does Government e-Marketplace (GeM) mean in logistics?](https://safeandsecure.in/answers/what-does-government-e-marketplace-gem-mean-in-logistics/)
- [What does MSME / Udyam registration mean in logistics?](https://safeandsecure.in/answers/what-does-msme-udyam-registration-mean-in-logistics/)
- [What does Performance bank guarantee (PBG) mean in logistics?](https://safeandsecure.in/answers/what-does-performance-bank-guarantee-pbg-mean-in-logistics/)
- [What does Work order mean in logistics?](https://safeandsecure.in/answers/what-does-work-order-mean-in-logistics/)

## On this site

- [Logistics glossary](https://safeandsecure.in/glossary/#emd)

Need this for your own load?

Send the details to our desk. It confirms your price within minutes.

[Ask on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/917506245557?text=Hi%20SSL%2C%20What%20does%20Earnest%20money%20deposit%20(EMD)%20mean%20in%20logistics%3F) [Get a quote](https://safeandsecure.in/ship/quote/)

---

Source: https://safeandsecure.in/answers/what-does-earnest-money-deposit-emd-mean-in-logistics/ (the HTML page is the record; this markdown twin was generated from it on 2026-09-29). Publisher: Safe & Secure Logistics Private Limited, https://safeandsecure.in/. Figures and their periods: https://safeandsecure.in/facts/