IEC Code Renewal in India - How to Update Your IEC Code
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) assigns the Importer Exporter Code (IEC), a distinct 10-digit number, to people or companies engaged in import and export operations in India. Anyone wishing to trade goods or services internationally must register. Even if there have been no changes, it is now necessary to renew or update the IEC code annually in accordance with new DGFT guidelines.
To prevent deactivation, all IEC holders for 2025 must make sure their IEC is renewed between April and June. Import-export operations may be disrupted if the IEC license is suspended for noncompliance with the renewal deadline. The DGFT portal makes the IEC code renewal process easy and entirely online.
Everything will be covered in this guide, including the required documents, the applicable IEC renewal fee, how to renew your IEC code Registration online, and the entire IEC license renewal process. To ensure continuous trade operations, timely renewal is essential for both new and seasoned exporters.
By finishing your IEC renewal 2025 on time, you can maintain compliance, stay out of trouble, and guarantee seamless international trade.
- DGFT Official Notification
- Updated IEC License
All IEC holders are now legally required to update and validate their IEC Details, even if there are no changes, from April to June once every year through Online system, failing which their IEC shall be de-activated and no import or export activity will be possible. Refer Ntn.58 https://t.co/MqUfXiI7Sz
— DGFT (@dgftindia) April 2, 2021
Process for IEC Code Renewal on the DGFT Portal
IEC renewal, officially known as IEC Annual Updation, is the mandatory process of logging into the DGFT portal each year between April 1st and June 30th to confirm or update your import-export code details. The 5-step procedure below is what every IEC holder must follow to stay compliant with DGFT Notification No. 58/2015-2020 and keep their code active without interruption.
- Step 1: Log In to the DGFT Portal - Visit dgft.gov.in and sign in to your account using your registered email or mobile number. If you have not accessed the portal before, complete a one-time registration with your PAN, email, and mobile; the system will send a verification OTP for account creation. First-time users must also click the Link IEC button on the homepage to connect their 10-digit IEC to the account before renewal.
- Step 2: Navigate to IEC Profile Management - From the dashboard, go to Services → IEC → Manage IEC → Update/Modify IEC. The system will retrieve your existing IEC profile and display every section, business details, branch office entries, bank account, directors or partners, and nature of business. Review every field against your current records before proceeding.
- Step 3: Confirm or Update Your Details - If nothing has changed since last year, simply click the data confirmation button to declare that your IEC profile is still accurate. If any detail needs correction, such as a new bank account, a change of address, a new director, or revised contact information, edit the relevant field and upload the required supporting document as a PDF.
- Step 4: Authenticate and Submit - Before final submission, review the summary of all details one last time. Authentication is done using a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) for companies and LLPs or Aadhaar OTP (e-Sign) for proprietors and individuals; the Aadhaar-linked mobile number must be active to receive the OTP. Once authenticated, submit the application.
NOTE:The annual confirmation is free of cost when no changes are reported. Any modification to existing details attracts a government fee of ₹200 paid through the Bharatkosh payment gateway.
- Step 5: Receive Your Updated IEC : The DGFT system processes successful submissions almost instantly. Your updated e-IEC certificate becomes available for download from the DGFT dashboard and is also sent to your registered email. If your IEC was previously deactivated for missing the June 30th deadline, a successful update automatically reactivates it, and the updated status syncs with Customs and ICEGATE within 24 to 48 hours. Once your IEC renewal is complete, ensure your AD Code registration with your bank and ICEGATE linkage are still active; these keep your port-based customs clearance uninterrupted for the year ahead.
NOTE: Missing the June 30th deadline deactivates your IEC automatically from July 1st, blocking every import and export transaction until the update is filed so update you IEC on time.
Documents Required for IEC Renewal
IEC renewal operates on a different document logic from fresh registration. The annual confirmation itself carries no government fee and requires no document upload, only digital authentication. Supporting documents are needed only when you are modifying specific details on your IEC profile. Here is exactly what you need, organized by scenario.
Documents Required for Annual Confirmation (No Changes)
When your business details have stayed the same since last year, DGFT does not ask for any document uploads. You only need:
- DGFT portal login credentials — registered email or mobile, along with your account password
- Linked 10-digit IEC — already connected to your DGFT user profile through the Link IEC step
- Aadhaar-linked mobile number (for proprietors and individuals), active to receive the Aadhaar e-Sign OTP
- Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) — required for companies and LLPs to authenticate the submission
No document upload, no fee, instant processing.
Documents Required When Updating IEC Details
If any detail has changed since your last renewal, you must upload the corresponding supporting document in PDF format. The requirement depends entirely on what is being modified:
- Change in Registered Office Address — recent electricity bill, rent agreement, lease deed, property tax receipt, or GST registration certificate (Form GST REG-06) carrying the new address
- Change in Bank Account Details — a cancelled cheque from the new account or a banker's certificate on the bank's official letterhead in the format prescribed under ANF 2A(I)
- Change in Directors, Partners, or Proprietor — PAN card and Aadhaar of every new director or partner, along with an updated Director Identification Number (DIN) for directors added to a company
- Change in Branch Office Details — address proof for the new branch or a board resolution confirming the addition or deletion
- Change in Firm Name — certificate of incorporation or MCA approval letter reflecting the new name, partnership deed amendment, or trust deed amendment
- Change in Nature of Business or Export Sector Preference — no document upload required for this category; updates are made directly on the portal
- Change in Mobile Number or Email ID — no document upload required; OTP-based verification on the new mobile or email is sufficient
Document Format and File Specifications
Every uploaded document must meet DGFT's technical requirements:
- File format: PDF only
- File size: under 5 MB per document
- Resolution: clear, legible ans,scans; blurred or partial uploads are rejected automatically
- The document should be recent, ideally not older than 3 months for utility bills or bank certificates
Fees for IEC Code Renewal
The Import Export Code (IEC) renewal fee is ₹999. Renewing your IEC ensures your import-export license stays active and your business remains compliant with DGFT guidelines. The process is quick, online, and essential to avoid penalties or disruptions in trade operations.
What is IEC Code Renewal?
IEC Code Renewal (also referred to as IEC license renewal or ICE license renewal) is a mandatory annual compliance process introduced by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). It requires all IEC holders - whether individuals, firms, or companies - to update or confirm their Import Export Code (IEC) details every year between April 1st and June 30th through the DGFT online portal.
This rule applies even if there are no changes in the IEC details. In such cases, the IEC holder must log in and confirm the existing details. If updates are required - such as changes in address, contact information, or business structure - those must be submitted during the renewal process.
Failure to complete the IEC license renewal within the specified period can result in automatic deactivation of the IEC by DGFT. Once deactivated, the IEC holder will be barred from importing or exporting goods, applying for customs clearance, or availing any foreign trade benefits. Reactivating a deactivated IEC requires submitting a fresh update and may delay international trade transactions.
Importance of IEC License Renewal
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In effect from 12th February 2021, Central Government has made renewal or update of Import Export Code details mandatory on DGFT portal. It is now compulsory for all the IEC License holders have to update their IEC Code status each year during April-June Period. Even if there are no upgradation of details, same needs to be updated online. Registered AD code will turn invalid incase IEC is not updated annualy.
Therefore, if you want to run your import export business legally and smoothly then you must renew your IEC code in due time.
These amendments of Importer Exporter Code related provisions are made under Chapter 1 and 2 of Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-2020.
DGFT Notification for Import Export Code Renewal
The import-export license renewals are notified by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade.
In exercise of powers discussed by Section 3 of FT (D&R) Act, 1992, read with paragraph 1.02 and 2.01 of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-2020, as revised from time to time, the Central Government has amends the IEC related provisions under Chapter-1 and Chapter-2 of Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-2020.
Further, DGFT applying a new amendment for updating IEC (Now considered e-IEC). Now, every year from April to June even if all details of IEC remain same all existing holders have to confirmed compulsory. IEC may be de-activated if not confirmed.
New Amendments for Import Export Code
- Importer Exporter Code (IEC) is obligatory for export/ import from/to India as specified in the Policy.
- DGFT issues Importer Exporter Code in electronic form (e-IEC) where Application for issuance of e-IEC can be made instantly on the DGFT official Notification.
- Amendment in the name of Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) as now it is Importer-Exporter Code (IEC)/(e-IEC)
- Also, the application process for IEC and up-gradation in IEC is entirely online and IEC can be generated by the applicant as per the procedure detailed in the Handbook of Procedure.
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Further Significant Amendments by DGFT
The following sub-paragraphs are entered under para 2.05 of Chapter-2 of Foreign Trade Policy, 2015-2020 as under:
- IEC shall be updated electronically every year: An IEC holder has to assure that specifications in its IEC are updated electronically every year, during the April-June period. In cases where there are no changes in IEC details same also requires to be confirmed online.
- IEC shall be de-activated, if it is not updated: An IEC shall be de-activated, if it is not updated within the specific time. An IEC therefore de-activated may be initiated, on its successful up-gradation. This would be without detriment to any other action carried for violation of any other provisions of the FTP.
- IEC may be Flagged under Scrutiny: An IEC may be also be flagged for scrutiny. IEC holders are obligated to assure that any risks flagged by the system are timely declaimed, otherwise the IEC shall be deactivated.
Consequences of Non-Renewal of Import Export Code
Importers and Exporters having IEC Code or license needs to ensure timely renewal, as an expired Importer Exporter Code is treated the same as not having any IEC code. If you continue to run an import export business without timely renewal, your IEC code will be deactivated by DGFT. It may result in unnecessary hustle as the IEC code is required during customs, shipping and international trade. So, it is best advised to renew and update the IEC code in due time to avoid cancellation or deactivation of your code.
Conclusion
The process to apply for IEC code renewal through the DGFT portal includes updating new details as per their portal, and the documents required which include: incorporation papers/ID proof/address proof/canceled cheque/Aadhar/digital signature. Currently, there is no government fee, but professional services may cost anything between Rs. 2000 to Rs. 3500, and expedited services are available at Rs.1500 for a flat. Annual renewal is required as the system may be deactivated at any time, this would greatly affect import/export timescales. Requirements for renewal are stated in the notifications of the DGFT, some of which promise to take effect sooner while providing some exemptions on certain updates. Implementation of these regs ensures the proper business process flow and the exclusion of potential problems related to IEC deactivation. You can also refer to Onion Seed License Certificate for understanding related compliance requirements in agricultural exports.
FAQ’s On Import Export Code Renewal
Is the IEC code to be renewed every year?
Yes, For new or updated product types, it is necessary to update the IEC profile annually. If the IEC profile is not updated, this will mean that the specific profile will be deactivated.
How do I renew my importer-exporter code?
Locate the DGFT website. Go to the IEC renewal section and submit your IEC number, PAN, and other required details to renew your code.
How do I reactivate my import-export code?
- Visit the DGFT website.
- Click on "Update IEC".
- Log in to your IEC dashboard.
- Enter user ID, password, and captcha.
What is the validity of the IEC?
The IEC is permanent but must be updated annually between April and June to avoid deactivation. No fee is charged if updated within this period.
Is IEC mandatory?
Yes, IEC is mandatory for import or export of goods in India, except for service exports unless benefits under FTP are claimed.
How much time does it take to get the IEC code?
Once the online application is submitted and documents are uploaded, IEC is generated and sent to the registered email ID.
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