Import Export Code (IEC) Registration (₹1,299)

What is an Import Export Code (IEC)?

The Import Export Code (IEC) is a 10-digit commercial identification number issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It is identical to your business PAN card and serves as the primary license for cross-border physical trade and service exports.

No commercial shipment of goods can clear Indian Customs ports (air, sea, or land) without an active IEC. Once issued, the IEC certificate has lifetime validity with zero annual renewal fees, though DGFT mandates an annual profile update between April and June.

Key Statutory Benefits & Business Advantages

Holding a verified, compliant registration delivers substantial commercial and legal protections:

Pan-India Customs Clearance

Essential commercial license to import foreign goods and clear export consignments at all Indian customs ports.

Lifetime Validity Protection

IEC does not expire and requires no recurring government renewal fees, saving recurring compliance costs.

Bank AD Code Registration

Required to register Authorized Dealer (AD) codes with custom house agents for seamless currency repatriation.

Export Incentive Scheme Access

Qualify for government export promotion schemes including RoDTEP, RoSCTL, and Duty Drawback rebates.

Fast-Track 24-Hour Issuance

100% digital, paperless application process with electronic certificate generation within 24 hours.

International Service Remittances

Required for digital agencies, IT exporters, and consulting firms receiving foreign inward remittances.

Who Needs an Import Export Code (IEC)?

Statutory applicability across business entities:

Enterprise Category	Applicability Under Foreign Trade Policy	Documentation Required
Physical Goods Importers	Mandatory for commercial customs clearance	Entity PAN, Bank Proof, Premises Proof
Physical Goods Exporters	Mandatory before shipping cargo overseas	Entity PAN, Bank Proof, Premises Proof
Service Exporters & IT Companies	Required to claim export incentive schemes	Entity PAN, Bank Proof, Signatory Aadhaar
Sole Proprietors & Freelancers	Eligible on personal PAN for cross-border trade	Personal PAN, Cancelled Cheque, Aadhaar

Compliance Note: Personal Imports Exemption: Individuals importing goods for personal use (not for commercial trade or manufacturing) do not require an IEC.

Mandatory Documents Required

Our team verifies every document prior to portal submission to prevent officer clarification delays:

Individual / Business PAN Card

The 10-digit IEC is mapped directly to this PAN

Cancelled Cheque or Bank Certificate

Displaying entity name, account number, and IFSC code

Registered Office Address Proof

Electricity bill, rent agreement, or property tax deed

Aadhaar Card / Passport

Of the Proprietor, Managing Partner, or Director

Active Mobile & Email

For instant DGFT portal OTP authentication

Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)

Optional for proprietorships, recommended for companies

Our 4-Step Filing & Registration Process

We ensure accuracy and speedy turnaround with complete milestone visibility:

1

DGFT Profile Creation

Setting up and validating the user profile on the official DGFT foreign trade portal.

2

Form Preparation

Entering bank details, branch offices, and uploading validated premises proof.

3

Digital Verification

Aadhaar OTP or Class-3 DSC signing and payment of the official DGFT challan fee.

4

Certificate Download

Instant electronic issuance of the official IEC Certificate with embedded QR code.

Frequently Asked Questions

Service exporters receiving foreign exchange for cross-border digital services are not strictly penalized for lacking an IEC, but it is mandatory if they wish to claim export incentive schemes like SEIS or register with export promotion councils.

The IEC has lifetime validity. Once issued, you do not need to pay any annual renewal fee. However, DGFT mandates that every IEC holder must confirm or update their profile annually between April and June.

Yes. Any individual operating as a Sole Proprietorship can obtain an IEC on their personal PAN card. The business name can be added as a trade name in the certificate.

An AD Code is a 14-digit code issued by your bank. Once you get your IEC, you must register your AD code on the ICEGATE customs portal to enable customs clearance of physical cargo.

No. Under DGFT regulations, only one IEC can be issued against a single PAN card. Any branch offices or warehouses can be added under the same IEC.

If an IEC is not updated between April and June every year, DGFT deactivates the code. It can be reactivated immediately upon completing the online profile confirmation.

Import Export Code (IEC) Registration