Import Export Code (IEC) Registration
Your passport to international trade.
No business can legally import into or export out of India without an Import Export Code. It is a 10-digit number issued by the DGFT, based on your PAN, valid for life — and customs will not clear a single consignment without it.
- Government fee
- ₹500 payable to DGFT
- Timeline
- 1–3 working days
Get started with IEC Registration
Free eligibility check · No obligation
What IEC Registration is, and who it applies to
The Import Export Code is issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade and is the foundational registration for international trade. Customs authorities require it for clearance, banks require it to process foreign currency remittances, and it is a prerequisite for claiming any export incentive or benefit under the Foreign Trade Policy.
It is issued against your PAN, so one entity holds exactly one IEC regardless of how many branches or product lines it operates. Once issued it never expires — but since 2021 it must be updated on the DGFT portal every year between April and June, even if nothing has changed. Miss that window and the IEC is deactivated, which stops consignments at the port.
There are limited exemptions. Goods imported or exported for personal use unconnected with trade do not need an IEC, and ministries and departments of central and state government are exempt. Service exporters often assume they are exempt too — they are not, if they intend to claim benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy.
The application itself is straightforward. What catches people out is the bank details and the digital signature: the account must be in the exact name of the entity, and the cancelled cheque must be legible enough for the system to validate against.
Who needs IEC Registration
- Any business importing goods into India
- Any business exporting goods out of India
- Service exporters claiming Foreign Trade Policy benefits
- E-commerce sellers shipping internationally
- Businesses applying for a Central FSSAI license for food import or export
- Anyone receiving or sending foreign currency for trade
Why it matters
Customs clearance
Without an IEC, no consignment clears customs in either direction. It is a hard requirement, not a formality.
Lifetime validity
Issued once and valid permanently, subject only to the annual online update between April and June.
Export incentives
Required to claim duty drawback, RoDTEP and any other benefit under the Foreign Trade Policy.
Foreign remittances
Banks require the IEC to process inward and outward trade remittances in foreign currency.
Documents required
Scans on WhatsApp are fine. We check every document against the officer's checklist before filing.
Required for all applicants
- PAN of the individual or entity
- Aadhaar of the proprietor, partner or director
- Passport-size photograph
- Proof of business address — electricity bill, rent agreement or sale deed
- Cancelled cheque or bank certificate in the entity's exact name
- Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate or Aadhaar-based e-sign
Companies and LLPs — additional
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Memorandum and Articles of Association, or LLP agreement
- Board resolution authorising the signatory
- List of directors or partners
How we do it
- 1
Document check
We verify that your PAN, bank account and address proof are consistent — mismatches here are the main cause of rejection.
- 2
DGFT application
Form ANF-2A is prepared and filed on the DGFT portal with your details.
- 3
Fee payment
The ₹500 government fee is paid online and the application is authenticated.
- 4
IEC issued
Your 10-digit code is issued electronically, usually within one to three working days.
- 5
Annual update setup
We flag your April–June update window so the code is never deactivated for a missed formality.
What it costs
We do not publish a rate card, because the right fee depends on your entity type, turnover and how much of the groundwork is already done. Tell us what your business does and we will quote a fixed figure for your case — before you commit to anything.
We quote a fixed professional fee for your case before any work begins, and it excludes GST. Government fees, where applicable, are shown separately and paid directly to the department. Statutory fees and thresholds change by notification — we confirm the current position for your case before you commit.
What non-compliance costs
- Goods cannot clear customs without a valid, active IEC
- An IEC not updated between April and June each year is deactivated
- Export incentives and duty drawback cannot be claimed without an active IEC
IEC Registration — frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get an IEC?
Usually one to three working days. The DGFT system is largely automated now, so where documents are clean the code is issued quickly. Delays come almost entirely from bank details that do not match the entity name exactly.
Does the IEC expire?
The code itself has lifetime validity, but since 2021 it must be updated online on the DGFT portal every year between April and June — even if no details have changed. If you miss the window the IEC is deactivated and consignments will be held at the port until it is reactivated.
Do I need GST registration before applying for an IEC?
Not as a strict prerequisite for the IEC itself. But in practice, if you are importing or exporting goods you will almost certainly need GST registration too, both for compliance and to claim refunds on zero-rated exports. We commonly do the two together.
Can an individual get an IEC, or is it only for companies?
An individual can obtain an IEC against their personal PAN. Proprietorships, partnerships, LLPs, companies and trusts are all eligible. One PAN corresponds to one IEC.
Do service exporters need an IEC?
You can export services without an IEC in many cases, but you will need one to claim any benefit under the Foreign Trade Policy, and most banks prefer it for processing foreign inward remittances cleanly. For anyone exporting services regularly, it is worth having.
IEC Registration by city
Local fees, the specific authority handling your application and city-level timelines.
Ready to start your IEC Registration?
Send us a message and we will confirm what you need, what it costs and how long it takes — before you pay anything.
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