IEC Code Registration: Import Export Code from DGFT
Apply for your Import Export Code on the DGFT portal with matching PAN and bank details so customs and banks can process your trade.
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An Import Export Code, or IEC, is a ten-digit identification number issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to businesses and individuals that import or export goods from India. Manufacturers, merchant exporters, traders, e-commerce sellers shipping abroad and anyone bringing goods in for business use need it for customs clearance, bank remittances and many export benefits. The code is linked to PAN, is issued once and has no yearly renewal, although DGFT expects details to be kept up to date. Our team prepares the application on the DGFT portal, matches your PAN and bank details and helps you use the code after it is issued.
Who provides this service: our team of Company Secretaries and compliance specialists.
Who Needs IEC Code Registration?
- Manufacturers and merchant exporters shipping goods outside India
- Traders and distributors importing goods or components for sale in India
- E-commerce sellers who ship products to customers abroad or source stock from overseas
- Startups building cross-border trade that need customs and bank documentation in order
- Individuals and small businesses importing machinery or raw materials for business use
Key Benefits
- A single ten-digit code tied to your PAN that customs, banks and DGFT recognise for trade transactions
- Application prepared so that PAN, name, address and bank details agree across every record the portal checks
- No periodic return filing under the code itself, which keeps ongoing paperwork light
- Pointers on the periodic update of IEC details that DGFT expects, so the code stays operational
- Help with modifying IEC particulars such as address, partners, directors or bank account when your business changes
- A plain explanation of the registrations exporters commonly need next, such as RCMC, LUT and ICEGATE
How It Works
Confirm whether you need an IEC
We review what you plan to import or export, since trade in goods generally needs an IEC while some service-only exporters and personal-use shipments do not. We also confirm which PAN the code will be linked to.
Verify PAN and entity details
The DGFT portal validates the business name, date of incorporation or birth and PAN against Income Tax records. We check these in advance because spelling and date mismatches are a common reason for failed validation.
Prepare address and bank proofs
We arrange proof of the business premises and bank evidence such as a cancelled cheque or bank certificate, with names matching the application, because DGFT asks for the account that will handle your trade remittances.
Submit with authentication
The application is submitted on the DGFT portal and authenticated with a digital signature or an Aadhaar-based method, as the portal allows for your entity type. We review every field before the final submit and payment.
Receive the IEC certificate
DGFT issues the IEC electronically. We download it and check the spelling, address and constitution, so you have a correct certificate to share with your bank, customs broker and freight forwarder.
Plan the post-IEC steps
We explain linked steps such as registering on ICEGATE for customs filing, getting an RCMC where export promotion benefits apply and filing an LUT for GST on exports, so your first shipment is not held up.
Documents Required
- PAN of the proprietor, partnership, LLP or company, in exactly the same name as the application
- Aadhaar of the proprietor or authorised signatory, where Aadhaar-based authentication is used
- Digital Signature Certificate of the authorised signatory, where signing by DSC is chosen
- Proof of business premises such as a rent agreement, ownership paper or utility bill
- Cancelled cheque or bank certificate showing account name, number and IFSC
- Email address and mobile number of the applicant that can receive OTPs
- Certificate of incorporation, partnership deed or LLP agreement, as applicable for non-individual entities
- Details of partners, directors or the proprietor as required by the portal form
Timeline and Fees
Indicative timeline: Indicative range of a few working days for a clean application. It depends on DGFT processing and on whether the PAN, bank and authentication checks pass at the first attempt.
Professional fee: The government fee for an IEC is set by DGFT and paid on the portal. Our professional fee depends on the entity type, the number of branches or details to be added and whether related registrations such as ICEGATE or RCMC are included. Contact our team for a written quote.
What Can Go Wrong if This Is Missed or Done Incorrectly
- Customs can refuse to clear goods that are imported or exported without a valid IEC
- Banks may not process import payments or export proceeds that cannot be linked to an active IEC
- An inactive or outdated IEC can stop a shipment at the shipping bill or bill of entry stage
- Mismatches between IEC, PAN, GST and bank records can delay refunds and incentive claims
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an IEC mandatory to export or import goods?
In general, yes. Businesses importing or exporting goods need an IEC for customs clearance and for the bank remittances linked to those shipments. A few categories are exempt, such as imports for personal use and some government or institutional cases. If you are unsure about your shipment, we can check it against the current rules.
Do service exporters need an IEC?
Providers who export only services generally do not need an IEC, although one may be required if they want to claim certain Foreign Trade Policy benefits, and some banks and platforms ask for it. If you export both goods and services, treat the IEC as necessary and obtain it before your first shipment.
Does an IEC expire or need renewal?
The IEC has no expiry date and does not need to be renewed. However, DGFT has asked IEC holders to confirm or update their details on the portal at a regular interval, and codes that are not updated can be made inactive. It is wise to check the current instruction on the portal every year.
Can one business hold more than one IEC?
No. An IEC is issued against a PAN, so one PAN has one IEC. Additional branches or units are added under the same code rather than getting new ones. A company and its promoter's separate proprietorship have different PANs and can therefore each hold their own IEC.
How are IEC, GST and the bank account connected?
The IEC is tied to a PAN and a bank account, GST registration is tied to the same PAN, and customs uses the IEC together with the GSTIN for export documents. Mismatched names or addresses across them can cause shipping bill errors and refund delays, so we align them before filing.
What commonly goes wrong while applying for an IEC?
The usual problems are a name or date of birth that does not match PAN, bank proof in a different name, a wrongly selected entity type and an authentication step that fails because the mobile number or Aadhaar link is inactive. Checking these before submission avoids repeated corrections on the portal.
Official Sources
Rules, forms and fees change. Check the current position on the official portal:
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Last reviewed: . Laws, fees and procedures change; check the official portal before you act.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional legal, tax or compliance advice. Requirements vary by situation. Please consult a qualified CA or CS for advice specific to your needs. Government fees and timelines are subject to change; verify with the relevant authority before proceeding.