FilenWhat is Import Export Code (IEC)?
Import Export Code (IEC) is a 10-digit identification code issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. It is a mandatory requirement for any business entity in India that intends to import goods or services into the country or export them to global buyers. Without an active IEC registration, you cannot clear customs or process international trade wire transfers.
When is an IEC Mandatory?
You will require your unique Import Export Code in the following scenarios:
- Customs Clearance: When custom authorities require clearing imported goods from sea/air ports or processing outgoing shipments.
- International Transactions: When transferring money abroad via banks to pay for imports, or receiving foreign currency direct deposits into your business bank account.
- Shipping Carriers: Shipping agencies require the code to draft bills of lading, manifest shipments, and issue export declarations.
Key Benefits of IEC Registration
- Global Reach: Unlocks international business opportunities and opens the doors for overseas market expansion.
- Lifetime Validity: Once issued, the Import Export Code is valid for the lifetime of the business entity. There is no requirement for renewal (only annual online update is required).
- Government Incentives: Registered exporters can claim export promotional subsidies, duty drawbacks, and tax concessions under the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP).
- Low Compliance: Unlike other tax registrations, there is no requirement to file monthly or annual returns under IEC rules.
Documents Required for IEC Registration
The online registration is paperless and requires clean scans of the following documents:
- PAN Card of the Individual Proprietor or Corporate Entity
- Aadhaar Card or Passport of the business owners
- Cancelled cheque of the business current bank account (displaying printed company name and account number) or official bank certificate
- Address proof of business premises (Rent Agreement, Sale Deed, or utility bill)
- A active digital signature or Aadhaar OTP setup for signature validation on the DGFT portal.
How Filengro Streamlines Your DGFT Filing
- Profile Setup: We create and authenticate your organization profile on the official DGFT portal.
- Application Filing: We fill out the ANF-2A application format, mapping correct bank links and branch codes.
- Verification & Payment: We upload files, process the government fee, and sign the application using Aadhaar e-sign.
- IEC Generation: The DGFT system instantly generates the certificate. We email the official certificate copy and DGFT credentials to your inbox.