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Trading across borders? We prepare and file your DGFT application so your IEC arrives without the back-and-forth.

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Understanding the Import Export Code

The IEC is a ten-character identifier that the Directorate General of Foreign Trade assigns to a business or person taking part in cross-border trade. It is tied to your PAN, and customs, banks and trade authorities use it to recognise you as an importer or exporter.

If you ship goods in or out of India for business, you will usually need one. Trade in services and technology can also call for it, mainly when you intend to claim incentives under the Foreign Trade Policy. You apply online on the DGFT portal, and the code stays valid for life as long as you confirm its details every year.

You will likely need one if you…

Bring goods into India for business use
Send goods from India to buyers abroad
Trade in services or technology and want Foreign Trade Policy incentives
Run regular overseas shipments and need to appear on customs paperwork

You may be exempt when…

The goods are for personal use, not for trade, manufacture or farming
The movement is by certain government bodies covered by notified exemptions
The import is for a charitable or religious purpose that has been notified
Another DGFT exemption applies, such as certain border trade

Worth remembering: holding a GSTIN does not give you an IEC. They are issued by different authorities, so apply for the IEC separately. Exemptions depend on the purpose, value and destination, so confirm against current DGFT rules before skipping it.

Which entities can apply

Your IEC is issued against the PAN of your legal entity.

Entity	What to know
Sole proprietor	Code is issued under the proprietor’s own PAN.
Partnership firm	Applies with the firm’s PAN and partner details.
LLP	Uses the LLP’s registration details and PAN.
Private or public company	Applies using incorporation details and the company PAN.
Trust or society	Eligible when engaged in applicable trade activity.
HUF	Applies with the HUF’s PAN and the Karta’s details.

One PAN gets one IEC. A separate entity with its own PAN needs its own code.

What you need to have ready

Keep these handy before you start the DGFT application.

PAN of the entity, checked against income tax records
Entity and signatory details: proprietor, partner, director, Karta or trustee as applicable
Bank proof in the entity’s name, such as a cancelled cheque or bank certificate
Address proof, plus an NOC from the owner if the proof is not in your name
Mobile number and email for OTPs and updates
Aadhaar e-Sign or DSC to authenticate the application

Extra papers by entity type

Proprietorship: proprietor’s ID and address proof
Partnership: partnership deed
LLP or company: incorporation certificate and details of partners or directors
Trust or society: trust deed or society registration certificate

How the application works

Our team can do all of this for you. Here is what happens behind the scenes.

Create or log in to your DGFT accountSign up with a working mobile number and email, or use your existing login.
Start a new IEC applicationUnder IEC profile management, choose a new IEC and enter the PAN, entity details and registered address.
Add and verify bank detailsProvide the account number, IFSC and holder name. The account is validated electronically and must be in the entity’s name.
Describe your trade activityState why you need the code and what you plan to import or export.
Upload supporting documentsAttach PAN, address and bank proof, entity papers and an NOC where relevant.
Authenticate and paySign with Aadhaar e-Sign or DSC, then pay the government fee online.
Submit and respond to queriesIf DGFT flags a mismatch, correct it and resubmit.
Download your certificateOnce issued, save the certificate and check that every detail is accurate.

Fees and penalties

Government charges are small. Optional costs are listed separately.

Item	Cost	When it applies
New IEC application	₹500	Paid to DGFT at application
Modification of details	₹200	Per modification application
Annual update in April to June	₹0	Done within the window
Annual update after June	₹200	Late completion
Digital Signature Certificate	Roughly ₹1,500 to ₹3,000	Only if you authenticate with a DSC
Alpha Services expert assistance	₹[PRICE]	Optional service fee

What happens if rules are broken

Breaching the Foreign Trade Act, its rules or the Foreign Trade Policy can attract a penalty of at least ₹10,000, which can rise to five times the value of the goods, services or technology concerned. DGFT may also suspend or cancel the code, after which trade is generally barred unless a special licence is granted. The outcome depends on the specific violation.

Steps after you get your IEC

Which of these apply depends on your product and customs location.

AD Code

A 14-digit code from your bank. Register it on ICEGATE for the customs port you use so export payments link to your account.

ICEGATE

The customs e-portal where you file and follow shipping bills and other electronic customs documents.

RCMC

Membership from the relevant export promotion council or board. Needed when claiming certain authorisations or benefits.

Product policy check

Look up your product’s ITC(HS) code and see whether exports are free, restricted or prohibited. An IEC alone does not permit restricted goods.

Shipping documents

Prepare the invoice, packing list and a bill of lading or air waybill, plus any product-specific certificates.

Destination rules

Check the buyer country’s import, labelling and certification requirements before you ship.

Validity and yearly update

The IEC never needs renewal.
Every year between April and June, log in and confirm your details, even if nothing changed.
Missing the update can lead to deactivation, and a late update costs ₹200.
Changes in name, address, bank or ownership must be updated on the portal.
You can surrender the code through the portal if you stop trading.

When DGFT can suspend or cancel

Contravening the Foreign Trade Act, rules or policy
Breaching customs, excise or foreign exchange laws
Offences notified as economic offences by the Central Government
Trading in a way that harms India’s trade relations or other traders
Conduct that damages the reputation of Indian goods or services

You normally receive a written notice and a chance to respond before action is taken.

Download your certificate

Log inUse your DGFT credentials.
Open IEC profile managementFind it under Services.
Choose Print IECReview the number, name, address and issue date.
Save the PDFNewer certificates carry a QR code for verification.

Verify any IEC online

Open View IEC Related DetailsIt sits under Services on the DGFT site.
Enter the code and firm nameThe first three letters of the firm name are enough.
Solve the CAPTCHAThen submit the form.
Read the resultThe recorded details appear on screen.

IEC, GST, AD Code and RCMC at a glance

They are often confused, but each one does a different job.

	IEC	GST	AD Code	RCMC
Stands for	Importer Exporter Code	Goods and Services Tax registration	Authorised Dealer Code	Registration-cum-Membership Certificate
Given by	DGFT	GST authorities	Your bank	Export promotion council or board
Purpose	Identifies you in international trade	Tax compliance on supplies	Links your bank to customs for exports	Membership needed for some policy benefits
Mandatory?	Generally for commercial trade	Depends on supply and turnover	For export customs filings	Only for specific authorisations or benefits
Validity	Lifetime with annual update	Until cancelled or surrendered	Tied to bank and port registration	Usually five years

Common questions

Quick answers before you apply.

Does GST registration replace the IEC?

No. They serve different purposes and come from different authorities. Goods trade generally needs both.

Do service exporters need an IEC?

Sometimes, mainly when you want Foreign Trade Policy benefits. Check the rules for your exact transaction.

Can one IEC cover several businesses?

No. The system follows one PAN, one IEC, so each entity with its own PAN needs its own.

Can an IEC be transferred to someone else?

Not as a simple handover. DGFT has set procedures for mergers, inheritance and similar cases, and a new code may be needed if the PAN changes.

My IEC is deactivated. What now?

Check your portal profile for the reason. If it was a missed annual update, complete the update and follow the reactivation steps.

My application was rejected. What next?

Read DGFT’s remarks, fix the flagged data or documents, and resubmit through the portal where allowed.

Can an NRI or foreigner be involved?

They can be part of an Indian entity applying, subject to PAN, entity and DGFT conditions, which vary by structure.