Import Export Code Registration - Overview

Updated on September 12, 2024 12:48:51 PM

IEC full form is Import Export code. Import Export Code is a ten-digit unique code assigned to an individual/company and is required for every import/export operation. The first step in expanding a business abroad is to export and import products & services. Trading not only helps the business personnel individually but also provide benefits to the Country as well. The government has prioritized trade facilitation in order to reduce transaction costs and time.

The Foreign Trade Policy outlines the government's goal of streamlining import and export processes by enhancing trade facilitation. These initiatives are designed to facilitate both import and export trade, with the primary objective of promoting corporate growth. Expanding into global markets is often the initial step in achieving this goal. To maintain compliance and adhere to regulations, Import Export Code (IEC) Renewal is mandatory for all IEC License holders on an annual basis.

Exporters can register ports through the ICEGATE portal, a process that is streamlined with AD Code Registration, following the issuance of an import-export code. The Foreign Trade Policy consolidates various provisions that demonstrate the government's commitment to creating a conducive environment for import and export activities. The implementation of these principles can substantially contribute to the trajectory of growth for an organization, allowing it to access new markets and capitalize on opportunities associated with international trade.

IEC Certificate Sample

IEC code certificate sample
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What is the Import Export Code?

An Import-Export Code (IEC) is a key business verification number which compulsory for export from India or Import to India. IEC code full form is Import Export code. Import Export Code is a ten-digit unique code assigned to an individual/company and is required for every import/export operation. The DGFT is in charge of issuing import export codes. DGFT stands for Director General of Foreign Trade. Importer Exporter Code is the full form of IEC, although it is more commonly known as import export code.

Unlike other government licenses, the Import Export Code does not need to be renewed on a regular basis. However, one needs to update the status of IEC license on dgft portal on a yearly basis.

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Benefits of Import Export Code

Since discussion about business can’t be completed without mentioning the profit and the loss. Our focus is to provide legal benefit to your business, so we would be taking the profit portion forward. The government has made trade facilitation a priority in order to minimize transaction costs and time, making Indian exports more competitive. For the benefit of import and export trade, the various provisions of the Foreign Trade Policy and steps taken by the government in the direction of trade facilitation are consolidated.

Want to know how IEC could be useful for your business? Let’s have a look how IEC can help you as an exporter or importer:

1. Overseas Trading:

Import Export Code provides you the facility to expand your business over foreign countries. The basic and most important thing you would need while trading oversea is the Importer Exporter Code. IEC opens your road to expansion and growth on foreign lands.

2. Legalise Business overseas:

The code provides you the license to export your goods and services to any other country and to import the essentials of your business to your own country. It makes your trade over cross borders easy and legal.

3. Online Service:

Now Obtaining IEC could be avail at the ease of sitting home. If you provide accurate and all documents then you could have it at your home. The need to hustle to the government office will not come into the way.

4. Export/Import subsidies:

The government offers benefits such as export subsidies and excise tax concessions in case of import. If the import is completed within the specified time period, some tax relief might be available. In the case of exports, the government offers a subsidy on all the exports taxes. These advantages are only available to those who are enrolled with the IEC.

5. Necessity at Customs:

The importer's IEC Code must be declared to Customs, and the Bill of Lading must reflect this. All bills of lading for cargo destined for or trans-shipped through Indian ports must include the Indian consignee's IEC Code.

6. Facilitates Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT):

EFT (Electronic Fund Transfer) is a new service offered to exporters that allows them to submit their license fee via the Internet rather than visiting a bank to make the payment. This procedure is being proposed to make electronic payments more convenient. Only electronically filed applications will be accepted.

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Documents Required for Import Export Code

Before proceeding to the import export license process lets have information regarding the documents needed to get Import Export Code License Online in India. The nature of the firm obtaining an IEC may be any of the follows- "Sole Proprietorship, Partnership, LLP, Private Limited Company & Public Limited Company, Trust, HUF and Society."

The documents required for an IEC code are as follows:

  1. PAN of the business entity
  2. Address Proof of the applicant’s entity (electricity bill)
  3. Registration/Certification Number
  4. Bank account details of the entity with Cancelled Cheque
  5. Identity proof (Aadhaar Card, Voter Id Card, Passport)
  6. Passport size photograph
documents required for iec code (import export code) registration
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Procedure for Obtaining Import Export Code

You can get an Import Export License online as well as offline. Apply for import export license one must be aware of the process of obtaining IEC code. The overall process is breakdowned into five major steps. Let’s know about them in detail:

IEC code registration process

Step 1. Registration on Government Portal

The very first step for obtaining an Import Export License online is the registration part. One can register online through the government portal of DGFT.

Step 2. Documentation

The very next step after registration is the applying phase. All the documents are arranged and prepared for application. You may already know about all the documents required for export and import application online as we have discussed earlier.

Step 3. Application for Import Export License

The next step combines the form filling along with the documents uploading.The “ANF2A” (Aayat Niryat Form 2A) is required to fill along with all the necessary documents attached.

Step 4. Verification by DGFT

After submission of your application form, it is sent to the DGFT for verification of the documents. Your application may get approved or rejected based on the documents you have uploaded. So one must be very careful regarding the documents they need to upload.

Step 5. Approval and Issuance of IEC Code

This is the final step of obtaining your Import Export Code. Once your IEC application is approved by DGFT, your Import Export Code would be issued to you. In case of online application you will get e-IEC, once approved by competent authority. You will be informed through email that your e-IEC is available on DGFT website.

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Import Export Code Registration Fees

The Government fees for Import export code(IEC License) registration is ₹500. The professional fees for IEC code Registration is ₹999. Hence, the Total cost of getting an IEC certificate charges will be ₹1499 (₹500 + ₹999). There are no other charges involved in IEC code registration.

IEC Registration Fees
Aayaat Niryaat Form no. 2A NIL
Filing at DGFT NIL
Professional Fees Rs. 999
Govt. Fees Rs. 500
Rs. 1,499 Only/-

Note: The aforementioned Fees is exclusive of GST.

Get Free Consultation

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Import Export Code Renewal and Validity

Unlike other government licenses, the Import Export Code (IEC) does not have an expiry date. However, after the amendments in Import Export Code related provisions under Chapter 1 and 2 of Foreign Trade Policy on 12th February, 2021 Import Export Code now has to be renewed each and every year. This amendment made the update of IEC code details mandatory for all IEC or e-IEC holders on DGFT portal each year. Even if there are no updates in IEC, the same has to be confirmed online

iec code validity and renewal
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Is Import Export Code Sufficient for exporting goods from India?

You need more than just an Import Export Code to operate an export business in india. Although the IE Code is a necessary for beginning export operations, having one is not sufficient. There are other mandatory documents and registrations in place to get going.

The requirements depend on the type of product you are exporting. There are Export Promotion councils for each commodity and you must obtain registration for each commodities you want to export.

For Example - If you are a Spices exporter, you must obtain a Spice Board Registration to export spices from India . Similarly, Tea Board Registration and Coffee Board registration are required for exporting Tea and coffee, respectively.

There are several other Export Promotion Councils like APEDA, Rubber Board, MPEDA, TEXPROCIL, CAPEXIL and so on. Apart from that, AD code Registration is required for Foreign transactions and Customs clearance at ports.

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Online Import Export Code Registration with Us Professional Utilities

The complications in understanding the process and providing appropriate documents are very much hectic. The chances of application rejection are very much high at each and every step of documents uploading. There are different formats of Digital Signature Certificate that one must upload depending on their criteria. Help from the experts are advised to ease the process of IEC application. You can apply for IEC with just three simple steps with us.

  • get in touch icon
  • documents required icon
  • get registered icon

Step 1:
Get in touch via call or contact form

Step 2:
Provide necessary documents

Step 3:
Get your IEC registered in 3-4 days

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Conclusion

In summary, the Import and Export Code (IEC) is a crucial requirement for businesses that are involved in international trade. This key enabler unlocks access to countless global markets and facilitates smooth cross-border transactions. By registering with IEC, businesses can effortlessly navigate customs regulations, expand their reach, and take advantage of global opportunities. This is a crucial step towards fostering growth, ensuring compliance, and establishing a solid foothold in the ever-changing world of international trade.

We at Professional Utilities help businesses and manufacturers in the entire process of Import and Export Code (IEC) registration. Our dedicated team offers complete support and guidance to ensure a smooth and efficient registration experience.

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Why Professional Utilities?

At Professional Utilities, we leverage our industry knowledge and expertise to help businesses navigate complex regulations, minimize risks, and optimize operations for maximum efficiency and profitability.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to apply for New IEC application online?

There are few steps that you have to follow :

  1. Go to Official site
  2. Apply for new IEC
  3. Fill all the details
  4. Receive temporary password
  5. Successfully registered
  6. Submit documents
  7. Get IEC
What is IEC code registration?

Import Export Code or IEC is a 10-digit code that a business or a person needs to import/export goods/services. This code is issued by DGFT (Director General of Foreign trade), Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Government of India. The validity of this code is for lifetime, that is, there is no need to renew it. This code is generated within 5-15 working days after the documents are submitted and all the corrections required are made

How long does it take to get IEC code?

We take 4-5 working days to process the IEC code for you/your firm.

Which DSC is required for the IEC code?

The DGFT introduced the Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) to make the issuance and registration process more secure. The certificate should be of either Class-2 or Class-3 and issued only by CCA approved certifying agencies in India.

Can I surrender my IEC number?

Yes you can. You need to inform the issuing authority about such a decision. And they shall immediately cancel your IEC number after electronically transmitting it to DGFT for onward transmission to the Customs and Regional Authorities.

How to obtain an Import Export Code?

An application and the required documents need to be filed to the Directorate General of Foreign Trade in Goa to acquire the Import Export Code. On submission of the application, the IE Code will be issued by the DGFT within 15 to 20 working days to the entity.

How can an NRI apply for IEC?

Normal procedure is followed to obtain IEC code in case of NRIs. In some exceptional cases, the permission from RBI/FIPB is required.

Do we need to renew our IEC license from now onwards?

After the amendments in Import Export Code related provisions under Chapter 1 and 2 of Foreign Trade Policy on 12th February, 2021 Import Export Code now has to be renewed each and every year. This amendment made the update of IEC code details mandatory for all IEC or e-IEC holders on DGFT portal each year. Even if there are no updates in IEC, the same has to be confirmed online.

Other Import Export Services

Import Export Code Renewal Apeda Registration AD code Registration Tea Board Registration
Coffee Board Registration Merchandise exports from India Spice Board Registration MSDS(Material Safety Data Registration)
SAFTA License SAPTA License APTA Certificate Registration Capexil Certificate
IIP UN Mark Certificate ICPTA Certificate Registration IJCEPA Certificate Registration UAE CEPA Certificate Registration
ISCECA Certificate MSDS (SDS) Certificate For importers EPCH Membership Registration MPEDA Registration Online
SEPC Registration FIEO Registration Coconut Board Registration CLE Council of Leather Export
Rubber Board Registration Texprocil Registration Chemexcil Registration Carpet Export Promotion Council
Cashew Export Promotion Council Plastic Export Promotion Council Handloom Export Promotion Council Silk Export Promotion Council
Apparel Export Promotion Council

IEC Registration in other states

Import Export Code in Delhi Import Export Code in Assam Import Export Code in Chhattisgarh Import Export Code in Haryana
Import Export Code in Himachal Pradesh Import Export Code in Maharashtra Import Export Code in Jammu & Kashmir Import Export Code in Odisha
Import Export Code in Jharkhand Import Export Code in Madhya Pradesh Import Export code in Punjab Import Export Code in Uttar Pradesh
Import Export Code in Uttarakhand Import Export Code in Rajasthan Import Export Code in Bangalore Import Export Code in Telangana
Import Export Code in Tamil Nadu Import Export Code in Kerala Import Export Code in West Bengal Import Export Code in Gujarat
Import Export Code in Karnataka Import Export Code in Arunachal Pradesh Import Export Code in Andaman and Nicobar Islands Import Export Code in Goa
Import Export Code in Andhra Pradesh

IEC Registration in other cities

Import Export Code In Pinjore Import Export Code in Varanasi Import Export Code in Belagavi Import Export Code in Mysore
Import Export Code in Guwahati Import Export Code in Pune Import Export Code in Hyderabad Import Export Code in Hosdurg
Import Export Code in Visakhapatnam Import Export Code in Vadodara Import Export Code in Kolkata Import Export Code in Surat
Import Export Code in Kothrud Import Export Code in Hisar Impot Export Code in Dhanbad Import Export Code in Manglore
Import Export Code in Tumkur Import Export Code in Ranchi Import Export Code in Bhadravati Import Export Code in Rajkot
Import Export Code in Chennai Import Export Code in Korba Import Export Code in Mumbai Import Export Code in Sonipat
Import Export Code in Faridabad Import Export Code in Jamshedpur Import Export Code in Bokaro Import Export Code in Palakkad
Import Export Code in Kannur Import Export Code in Raigarh Import Export Code in Indore Import Export Code in Ahmedabad
Import Export Code in Gurgaon Import Export Code in Pithampur Import Export Code in Ujjain Import Export Code in Jaipur
Import Export Code in Panna Import Export Code in Dewas Import Export Code in Calicut Import Export Code in Ankleshwar
Import Export Code in Chandigarh Import Export Code in Digboi Import Export Code in Thrissur Import Export Code in Bhilai
Import Export Code in Thiruvananthapuram Import Export Code in New Delhi Import Export Code in Margao Import Export Code in Guntur
Import Export Code in Panipat Import Export Code in Khandwa Import Export Code in Vijayawada Import Export Code in Dibrugarh
Import Export Code in Gandhinagar
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