Import Export Code (IEC) Registration Online in India
Apply for your Import Export Code (IEC) online through the DGFT portal with Legitway Services. Get professional assistance with IEC registration, starting with a ₹500 government fee, along with document preparation, application filing, and end-to-end support.
Complete DGFT Application Filing
Document Preparation & Review
Bank Account Validation Support
Application Error & Clarification Support
IEC Modification & Annual Update Support
What Is IEC Registration in India?
Importer Exporter Code (IEC) is a 10-character code issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to businesses involved in import and export activities. It is PAN-based and generally corresponds to the entity’s PAN.
IEC registration is typically required to import or export goods from India, subject to applicable exemptions. It may also be necessary for certain service or technology transactions under the Foreign Trade Policy.
The application process is completed online through the DGFT portal. Once issued, the IEC remains valid, but businesses must update their details electronically during the prescribed annual update period.
IEC Registration for Different Types of Business Entities
Business or Entity Type | IEC Registration Details |
|---|---|
Sole Proprietorship | A sole proprietor can apply for an Importer Exporter Code (IEC) using the proprietor’s PAN and relevant business details. |
Partnership Firm | A partnership firm can obtain an IEC in the firm’s name by submitting its PAN and the required business information. |
Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) | An LLP can apply for an IEC using its PAN, registration details, and other prescribed documents. |
Private or Public Limited Company | A private or public limited company can register for an IEC using its company PAN, incorporation details, and required supporting documents. |
Trust | A trust involved in eligible import or export activities can apply for an IEC by providing the applicable registration and PAN details. |
Society | A registered society engaged in eligible import or export activities can apply for an IEC with the necessary documents and entity details. |
Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) | An HUF can apply for an IEC using its PAN and the relevant information required for registration. |
Who Needs an Import Export Code (IEC) in India?
An IEC is generally required for businesses that:
Import goods into India for commercial purposes.
Export goods to international markets.
Import or export services or technology when required under the Foreign Trade Policy.
Engage in international trade involving applicable customs and trade procedures.
The IEC is issued by the DGFT and is linked to the applicant’s PAN. GST registration does not replace an IEC.
When Is an IEC Not Required?
IEC exemptions may apply to:
Personal-use goods not related to trade or business.
Certain government transactions covered by applicable exemptions.
Specified non-commercial imports permitted under DGFT rules.
Other notified exemptions, subject to prescribed conditions.
Check the applicable DGFT guidelines to confirm whether your transaction requires an IEC.
Situations Where an IEC May Not Be Needed
DGFT allows certain exemptions, including:
- Imports or exports meant for personal use and unconnected to trade, manufacturing or agriculture
- Specified transactions by government ministries, departments and bodies
- Certain non-commercial imports for charitable, religious or similar notified purposes, subject to conditions
- Other notified categories, including some border trade, under prescribed conditions
Exemptions turn on the nature, purpose, value and destination of the transaction. Confirm the current DGFT provision before you decide to skip the registration.
What You Need to Apply
Keep these ready before you start:
- PAN of the entity. DGFT cross-checks it with Income Tax records.
- Entity and owner details. Information about the proprietor, partners, directors, Karta or authorised signatory, depending on structure.
- Bank account proof. The account must be in the name of the business. A cancelled cheque or a bank certificate is typically used for validation.
- Address proof. If the proof is not in the business’s name, you may need a No Objection Certificate from the owner of the premises.
- Constitution documents. Partnership deed, incorporation papers, trust deed, society registration or similar, as applicable.
- Mobile number and email. Used for verification and portal communication.
- Digital authentication. Aadhaar-based e-Sign or a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC).
Documents by Entity Type
- Proprietorship: Proprietor’s identity and address proof, plus business bank and address documents
- Partnership firm: Partnership deed and details of the partners
- LLP or company: Registration or incorporation documents and details of designated partners or directors
- Trust or society: Trust deed or society registration certificate
- Others: Additional papers may be asked for depending on what is declared in the application
How the IEC Application Works
The application is filed on the DGFT portal. Here is the path from start to finish, and where Legitway Services steps in.
1. Create or access your DGFT account. Sign up with a working mobile number and email, or log in if you already have an account.
2. Start a new IEC application. Under IEC Profile Management, choose to apply for a new IEC, then enter the PAN, business details, owner details and registered address.
3. Add and validate bank details. Enter the account number, account holder name, IFSC, bank and branch. The account must be in the business’s name and passes through electronic validation.
4. Complete the activity details. State why you need the IEC and what import or export activity you plan.
5. Upload documents. Attach PAN, address proof, bank proof, constitution documents and any NOC that applies.
6. Authenticate and pay. Sign with Aadhaar e-Sign or DSC, then pay the ₹500 fee through the DGFT payment gateway.
7. Submit. Review everything once more and submit. If DGFT needs a correction or clarification, the application has to be fixed and resubmitted.
8. Download your certificate. Once issued, download it from the portal and check that the PAN, name and address are correct.
IEC Costs and Penalties
Fee Breakdown
Item | Amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
New IEC application | ₹500 | When you apply for a new code |
IEC modification | ₹200 | For each modification application |
Annual update, April to June | ₹0 | If completed within the window |
Annual update after the window | ₹200 | If completed late |
Digital Signature Certificate | ₹1,500 to ₹3,000 | Only if DSC authentication is used |
Professional service fee | [Legitway Services fee] | Optional assistance |
The first four rows are DGFT charges. The DSC and any professional fee are separate costs and do not go to the government.
What Happens if You Don’t Comply
Under Section 11 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, a contravention can attract a penalty of at least ₹10,000, extending up to five times the value of the goods, services or technology involved, whichever is greater.
Issue | Consequence |
|---|---|
Violating the FTDR Act, rules, orders or Foreign Trade Policy | Penalty from ₹10,000 up to five times the value involved |
Specified serious violations | IEC may be suspended or cancelled |
Suspension or cancellation | Imports and exports may be barred unless a special licence permits otherwise |
Missing the annual update | ₹200 late fee and possible deactivation |
The action taken depends on the specific violation. Penalties are not automatic in every case.
Why an IEC Is Worth Having
- It makes legal trade possible. For most commercial imports and exports, it is the baseline requirement.
- It plugs into customs. The code identifies you on shipping bills and customs filings.
- It opens the door to export incentives. Schemes such as RoDTEP and duty drawback usually require a valid IEC, subject to each scheme’s conditions.
- It builds credibility. Buyers, banks and logistics partners recognise it as proof of a registered trader.
- It never needs renewing. You only confirm or update your details once a year.
After You Get Your IEC: Next Steps
An IEC alone doesn’t complete your export set-up. Depending on what you trade, you may also need:
AD Code. A 14-digit code from your bank that links your account to customs. Register it on ICEGATE for the customs location you ship from.
ICEGATE registration. The customs e-filing portal where exporters file and track shipping bills and related documents.
RCMC. A Registration-cum-Membership Certificate from the relevant Export Promotion Council or commodity board. It is needed when you apply for certain authorisations or benefits, and which body issues it depends on your product.
Product export policy check. Look up your product’s ITC(HS) code and see whether it is Free, Restricted or Prohibited. Restricted items need extra approval, and an IEC does not override that.
Shipment paperwork. Commercial invoice, packing list, and a Bill of Lading or Air Waybill, plus any product-specific certificates.
Destination country rules. Certificates of origin, labelling and product standards may be required by the importing country, regardless of Indian compliance.
Keep your IEC current. Confirm or update details on the DGFT portal every year.
Not every exporter needs every item above. The right list depends on your product, market and customs location.
Validity and Annual Update
An IEC does not expire, but it must be confirmed or updated online every year between April and June, even if nothing has changed.
- Fee: Free in the April to June window, ₹200 afterwards
- Risk of skipping: DGFT can deactivate the IEC
- When details change: Update changes in name, address, bank account, ownership and so on through the portal
- Surrender: If you no longer want the IEC, you can request surrender on the portal
- Reactivation: A deactivated IEC can be revived by completing the required action under the DGFT process
When DGFT Can Suspend or Cancel an IEC
Action under Section 8 of the FTDR Act is possible when an IEC holder:
- Breaks the FTDR Act, its rules or orders, or the Foreign Trade Policy
- Violates customs, central excise, foreign exchange or other specified laws
- Commits an economic offence covered by a Central Government notification
- Trades in a way that harms India’s relations with another country or the interests of other traders
- Damages the reputation of Indian goods, services or technology abroad
- Imports or exports specified items in breach of the rules
DGFT normally issues a written notice stating the grounds and allows the holder to respond and be heard before acting. Once suspended or cancelled, import and export are generally not allowed unless a special licence is granted.
Your IEC Certificate
The certificate shows the firm name, address, IEC number, date of issue and, where relevant, branch details. Recent certificates carry a QR code so the code can be verified online.
To download it:
- Log in to the DGFT portal
- Go to Services, then IEC Profile Management
- Click Print IEC
- Check the details shown
- Save or print the PDF
You can pull a fresh copy at any time.
How to Verify an IEC
Before dealing with a new buyer or supplier, you can check their code:
- On the DGFT portal, open Services and choose View IEC Related Details
- Enter the IEC and at least the first three characters of the firm’s name
- Solve the CAPTCHA
- Click View IEC to see the recorded details
For your own code, logging in and opening your IEC profile shows the full record.
IEC, GST, AD Code and RCMC: How They Differ
IEC | GST | AD Code | RCMC | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Stands for | Importer Exporter Code | Goods and Services Tax registration | Authorised Dealer Code | Registration-cum-Membership Certificate |
Issued by | DGFT | GST authorities | Your authorised dealer bank | Export Promotion Council, commodity board or similar body |
Purpose | Identifies you as an importer or exporter | GST compliance | Connects your bank account to customs for exports | Registration with an export body; may be needed for certain benefits |
Needed when | Commercial import or export, unless exempt | Depends on supply type, turnover and GST law | Applicable export customs transactions | When a specific authorisation or benefit requires it |
Validity | Lifetime, with annual update | Until cancelled or surrendered | Depends on bank and customs registration | Usually five years |
Government fee | ₹500 for a new IEC | None | Generally none | Varies by issuing body |
Required for every exporter? | Generally yes | Not necessarily | For applicable exports | No |
Why Work with Legitway Services
A single mismatch in a name, address or bank detail can stall an IEC application. We help you avoid that.
- Application support: We prepare and file your IEC on the DGFT portal
- Document help: We check and organise your papers before they go in
- Authentication assistance: We guide you through Aadhaar e-Sign or DSC
- Pre-submission review: Errors are caught before DGFT sees them
- Updates and modifications: We handle changes in your details and the yearly confirmation
- Progress tracking: We follow your application and respond to any queries raised
Frequently Asked Questions
What separates an IEC, an AD Code and an RCMC? The IEC is DGFT’s identification code for importers and exporters. The AD Code comes from your bank and ties your account to customs for export transactions. The RCMC comes from an Export Promotion Council or similar body and may be needed to obtain particular authorisations or benefits.
I already have GST. Do I still need an IEC? Yes. GST does not replace the IEC. For goods, you generally need one to import or export. For services and technology, the need depends on the transaction and whether you want Foreign Trade Policy benefits.
Do I need an IEC for services only? Sometimes. It can be required when you claim Foreign Trade Policy benefits or deal in specified services or technology. Check the DGFT rules that apply to your case.
Can an NRI or foreign national apply? They can be involved in an Indian business that applies for an IEC, subject to entity type, PAN and DGFT requirements. Eligibility and paperwork vary by structure and by the person’s role.
Can one IEC cover several businesses? No. DGFT follows a one PAN, one IEC approach, so each separate legal entity with its own PAN generally needs its own code.
Can an IEC be transferred to someone else? Not as a simple change of owner. DGFT has specific procedures for mergers, acquisitions, inheritance, liquidation and business transfers. If the resulting entity has a different PAN, a new IEC is usually required.
My IEC got deactivated. What now? Open your IEC profile on the DGFT portal and find the reason. If it was a missed annual update, complete the pending update and follow the reactivation process.
Do I need to update the IEC when my business details change? Yes. Update the name, address, bank details or other registered information when they change, and still complete the annual update even if nothing has changed.
What if my application is rejected? Read the reason DGFT gives, fix the missing information or document issue, and resubmit if the portal allows. For a refusal tied to a regulatory issue, review DGFT’s communication before taking the next step.
Disclaimer: Legitway Services is a facilitation provider. The information on this page is for general guidance and is not legal advice. Fees and procedures are set by DGFT and may change, so confirm current requirements on the official portal.