Trade & Export
Import Export Code (IEC) Registration Services in India
DGFT Application, CA-Assisted
Complete IEC registration for manufacturers, traders, service exporters, and e-commerce sellers — DGFT portal filing, IEC modification, annual update, and GST-IEC linking across India.
Overview
What Is an Import Export Code (IEC)?
An Import Export Code (IEC) is a 10-digit unique identification number issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. It is the primary registration that identifies an entity in India's foreign trade ecosystem — linking your business to customs, banks, FEMA compliance, and all government export promotion schemes.
Since 2021, DGFT has integrated IEC with PAN. The IEC number is now the same as the entity's PAN for all new registrations and migrated accounts. Annual update of IEC details on the DGFT portal is mandatory — failure to update within the prescribed period (April to June each year) results in deactivation of the IEC.
N D Savla & Associates provides complete IEC registration services — from eligibility assessment and document preparation to DGFT portal filing and post-issuance support including IEC modification, annual update, and GST-IEC linking. We serve manufacturers, traders, service exporters, e-commerce sellers, and first-time importers across Mumbai and India.
Who Needs IEC
IEC Applicability — Mandatory vs Exempted
The Import Export Code is mandatory for most businesses engaged in international trade. Here is the current applicability framework:
| Category | IEC Required? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer importing / exporting goods | Yes — mandatory | Cannot clear customs without valid IEC; required for DGFT scheme benefits |
| Trading company — import or export | Yes — mandatory | All commercial imports and exports require IEC |
| Service exporter (IT, consulting, professional services) | Yes — required in most cases | Required for foreign exchange receipt and SEIS / RoDTEP claims |
| E-commerce seller exporting via courier | Yes — required | Amazon Global, Shopify, eBay exports all require IEC at customs |
| Individual for personal use (non-commercial imports) | Not required | Imports for personal use, not for trade |
| Government ministries and departments | Not required | Specifically exempted under DGFT policy |
| Defence-related imports | Not required | Covered under Ministry of Defence exceptions |
Documents Required
IEC Registration Documents — Entity-Wise Checklist
| Entity Type | Documents Required |
|---|---|
| Private / Public Limited Company | PAN card of the company; Certificate of Incorporation; Board resolution authorising IEC application; Cancelled cheque / bank certificate on company letterhead; DSC of authorised signatory; Address proof of registered office |
| Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) | PAN card of the LLP; Certificate of Incorporation; LLP agreement (relevant pages); Designated partner authorisation; Cancelled cheque; DSC; Address proof |
| Proprietorship | PAN card of proprietor; Aadhaar card; Cancelled cheque in proprietor's or firm name; GST registration (if applicable); Address proof of business place |
| Partnership Firm | PAN card of the firm; Partnership deed; Cancelled cheque; Address proof; ID proof of managing partner |
| Trust / Society | PAN of trust / society; Registration certificate; Trust deed / MoA; Resolution of governing body; Cancelled cheque; Address proof |
| Hindu Undivided Family (HUF) | PAN of HUF; Karta's Aadhaar and PAN; Cancelled cheque in HUF name; Declaration of HUF; Address proof |
Our Process
How We Handle IEC Registration — Step by Step
01
Eligibility Check and Entity Type Confirmation
We confirm IEC registration is required for your intended trade activity and identify the correct entity type for the application. We also check whether an IEC already exists against your PAN — since PAN-IEC integration means some entities already have an IEC without knowing it.
02
DGFT Portal Account Setup
We set up or access the DGFT portal account for your entity. The DGFT portal (dgft.gov.in) requires Aadhaar-based or DSC-based authentication. We ensure the portal account is correctly linked to the entity's PAN before the application begins.
03
Document Preparation and Verification
We collect and verify all required documents — ensuring entity name, address, and PAN details are consistent across all documents. Bank certificate details (IFSC, account number, branch name) are verified against the actual bank account, since errors here are a common cause of IEC application rejection.
04
IEC Application Filing on DGFT Portal
We complete and submit the IEC application (ANF 2A format) on the DGFT portal — entering all entity details, bank account information, and uploading all required documents. The government fee (currently ₹500) is paid and the application is submitted under the appropriate regional DGFT office based on the entity's registered address.
05
Application Tracking and Query Response
Most IEC applications are processed automatically — the system verifies PAN with CBDT and bank details, and issues the IEC electronically within minutes to a few hours for straightforward applications. Where routed for manual review by the DGFT regional office, we track the status and respond to any queries promptly.
06
IEC Certificate and e-IEC Download
Once issued, the IEC is available as an e-IEC downloadable from the DGFT portal. We download and deliver the e-IEC, confirm the IEC number, verify that all details are correct, and confirm the annual update requirement and current IEC status.
07
Post-IEC Services — Annual Update, Modification, GST Linking
After IEC issuance, we handle: annual IEC update on the DGFT portal (mandatory every year between April and June to keep the IEC active); IEC modification for change of address, bank account, or signatory; linking of IEC with GST registration for export benefit claims; and surrender of IEC if the entity ceases to trade. For exporters needing ICEGATE registration to file Bills of Entry and Shipping Bills online, we handle that setup alongside IEC.
Service Comparison
IEC Registration vs Modification vs Annual Update
| Service | When Needed | What Happens | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| IEC Registration (New) | Entity does not yet have an IEC and wants to begin import/export | New 10-digit IEC issued (same as PAN since 2021 integration) | Minutes to 1–2 days; up to 7 days if manual review |
| IEC Modification | Change in entity details — address, bank account, authorised signatory | Existing IEC updated; IEC number remains the same | 1–3 days on DGFT portal |
| IEC Annual Update | Every year between April and June — mandatory | Entity confirms or updates details; no change to IEC number | Instant — done online |
| IEC Surrender / Cancellation | Entity ceases import/export activity | IEC marked as cancelled in DGFT system | 7–14 days after application |
Related Services
Broader Trade and Business Registration Services
GST RegistrationGST registration and LUT filing for zero-rated export invoicing.
MSME / Udyam RegistrationUdyam registration for priority sector lending and export credit benefits.
ICEGATE RegistrationICEGATE user ID setup for filing Bills of Entry and Shipping Bills online.
LEI RegistrationLegal Entity Identifier for cross-border FEMA transactions above ₹50 crore.
DGFT Scheme AdvisoryRoDTEP, advance authorisation, EPCG — DGFT export promotion scheme claims.
Darpan RegistrationNITI Aayog NGO Darpan portal registration for trusts and NGOs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common Questions on IEC Registration
What is an Import Export Code (IEC) and who issues it?
An Import Export Code (IEC) is a 10-digit unique identification number issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. It is mandatory for any business entity or individual intending to import goods into India or export goods and services from India for commercial purposes. Since 2021, the IEC number is the same as the entity's PAN for all new registrations and migrated accounts.
Is IEC mandatory for export of services from India?
For physical export of goods, IEC is mandatory without exception. For export of services, IEC is practically required in several situations: when claiming SEIS (Service Exports from India Scheme) duty credit scrips from DGFT; when processing regular foreign exchange receipts through an AD bank; when physically exporting any goods accompanying the service; and when accessing any DGFT export promotion scheme. Most service exporting businesses benefit from obtaining an IEC.
Does IEC need to be renewed every year?
The IEC itself has lifetime validity and does not need to be renewed. However, DGFT has introduced a mandatory annual update requirement — entities must log into the DGFT portal between April and June each year and confirm or update their IEC details. Failure to complete the annual update within this window results in automatic deactivation of the IEC by DGFT. A deactivated IEC cannot be used for customs clearance or foreign exchange transactions until it is reactivated.
How long does IEC registration take?
For most straightforward applications — where PAN verification with CBDT and bank account verification are successful — the DGFT portal issues the IEC automatically within minutes to a few hours of application submission. Applications routed for manual review by the DGFT regional office may take 3 to 7 working days. The government fee for IEC registration is currently ₹500, payable online on the DGFT portal.
Can I have more than one IEC for my business?
No. Only one IEC can be issued per PAN. A company, LLP, or individual can hold only one IEC at any time. The IEC is linked to the entity's PAN, which means it covers all branches, divisions, and trading names of the same legal entity — there is no need for separate IECs for different branches or products.
Ready to Register Your Import Export Code?
Whether you are a first-time importer, manufacturer starting exports, e-commerce seller going global, or service company formalising foreign exchange receipts — we serve all entity types across Mumbai and India.
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