Your gateway to importing and exporting from India
An Import Export Code (IEC) is a 10-digit code issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and is mandatory for any business or individual wanting to import into or export from India. Since 2021, IEC is PAN-based — meaning one PAN gets one IEC, valid for the lifetime of the entity, with no renewal historically required, though DGFT now requires annual online updation of IEC details.
We handle the entire application — documentation, DGFT portal filing, and any clarification responses — so you can start importing or exporting without delays.
Who needs an IEC
| Requirement | |
|---|---|
| Importing goods/services | Mandatory to clear customs on any commercial import shipment |
| Exporting goods/services | Mandatory to ship goods out of India or receive export payments via banking channels |
| Availing export incentives | Required to claim benefits under Foreign Trade Policy schemes (RoDTEP, duty drawback, etc.) |
| Service exporters | Required to receive foreign remittances for services, even without physical goods movement |
| Exemptions | Not required for personal use imports/exports, or for specified categories like government departments and certain notified charitable institutions |
Validity and maintenance: IEC has no expiry, but DGFT mandates online updation/confirmation of IEC details every year between April and June, even if there’s no change — failure to update leads to automatic deactivation of the code.
Typical timeline: 1–3 working days, since IEC is a fully online, largely automated DGFT process with minimal manual review for straightforward applications.
Step 1 — Eligibility and entity check
We confirm your business PAN doesn’t already have an IEC linked to it (only one IEC per PAN is permitted) and gather your business’s bank and address details.
Step 2 — DGFT portal registration
An account is created on the DGFT website using your business PAN and basic entity details, with mobile and email verified via OTP.
Step 3 — Application filing (ANF-2A)
The IEC application is filed online in Form ANF-2A, capturing entity details, nature of concern (proprietorship, partnership, LLP, company, etc.), branch details if applicable, and the primary business activity.
Step 4 — Bank account and document upload
Bank account details are provided along with a cancelled cheque or bank certificate, and digitally signed or Aadhaar-authenticated supporting documents are uploaded — no physical submission is required.
Step 5 — Fee payment
The prescribed application fee is paid online through the DGFT portal payment gateway.
Step 6 — DGFT processing
The application is processed by the regional DGFT office; for most applications with complete documentation, this is largely automated with limited manual intervention.
Step 7 — IEC issuance
On approval, the IEC certificate is generated and available for download directly from the DGFT portal — no physical certificate is issued or required.
Step 8 — Annual updation
We track and complete the mandatory annual online confirmation of IEC details (April–June window) to keep the code active, and handle any changes needed for address, bank details, or business activity updates during the year.
About the entity
About the applicant/authorised signatory
For the business address
Bank details
Notes
Mandatory gateway to international trade
Without an IEC, customs authorities will not clear shipments for import or export, and banks will not process inward or outward remittances tied to trade transactions — it’s a hard prerequisite, not optional documentation.
Access to export incentive schemes
IEC is required to claim benefits under government schemes like RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products), duty drawback, and other Foreign Trade Policy incentives, which can meaningfully improve export margins.
Enables foreign remittance for services
Service exporters — IT services, consulting, freelance/agency exports — need an IEC to receive payments from foreign clients through proper banking channels, even without any physical goods crossing the border.
Lifetime validity, minimal renewal burden
Unlike many registrations, IEC doesn’t expire and only requires a simple annual online confirmation — far lighter than most compliance obligations of similar importance.
Opens access to export promotion councils
Holding an IEC is typically a prerequisite for registering with Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) and Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO), which offer market access support, certifications, and trade fair participation benefits.
No ongoing return filing
Unlike GST or company compliance, IEC itself doesn’t require periodic returns — the only ongoing obligation is the annual online updation, keeping the compliance overhead low relative to the market access it unlocks.
Builds credibility with overseas buyers and banks
A valid IEC on trade documentation signals a properly registered importer/exporter to overseas counterparties and is routinely required by banks processing letters of credit and other trade finance instruments.