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What Is Import Export Code (IEC) Registration?

The Import Export Code (IEC) is a 10-character alphanumeric code issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). It is your permanent identification number for importing and exporting goods from India, and it is the very first step for anyone starting an import-export business.

Without an IEC, you cannot clear goods through Customs, receive foreign payments through banks for trade, or claim export benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy. The IEC has lifetime validity and does not need renewal, but DGFT requires you to confirm or update your IEC details once every year. You can also modify the IEC whenever your business details change.

The application is made online on the DGFT portal. It looks simple, but many applicants face delays because of document errors, PAN or Aadhaar mismatches, or DGFT queries. Make Merchant, India's first company dedicated to exporters and importers, handles the whole process so you get your IEC quickly and correctly.

IEC Import Export Code registration India

Key Topic Index

IEC registration topic index

Who Needs IEC Registration?

  • Sole proprietors starting an import or export business.
  • Partnership firms and Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs).
  • Private limited and public limited companies.
  • Trusts, HUFs and societies involved in foreign trade.

IEC is mandatory for importing and exporting goods. For exports of services, it is mainly needed if you want to claim benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy. Some imports, such as for personal use, may be exempt.

Who needs IEC registration India

Benefits of IEC Registration

IEC registration benefits India
  1. Mandatory for import and export
    • Without an IEC, you cannot legally import or export goods from India.
    • Customs requires the IEC for shipping bills, bills of entry and clearance.
  2. Needed for bank transactions
    • Banks need the IEC to process foreign trade payments.
    • It is linked with your AD Code, which keeps you compliant with RBI rules.
  3. Eligibility for export benefits
    • A valid IEC is needed to claim export incentives such as RoDTEP, duty drawback and the EPCG scheme, as applicable.
    • It is also required to register with Export Promotion Councils, see our RCMC registration.
  4. Legal recognition
    • The IEC shows you are a genuine exporter or importer and is often needed to open a current account for foreign trade.
  5. Easier customs clearance
  6. Lifetime validity
    • The IEC does not expire, as long as you complete the yearly update on the DGFT portal.
  7. Credibility and growth
    • It builds trust with suppliers, buyers and banks, and lets you explore global markets.

Documents Required for IEC Registration

Documents required for IEC registration India

The following documents are generally required:

  • PAN: the proprietor's PAN for a sole proprietorship, or the PAN of the firm or company.
  • Aadhaar or other ID proof of the applicant or authorised signatory (Aadhaar OTP verification is used on the DGFT portal).
  • Email ID and mobile number of the authorised signatory.
  • Proof of business address, such as an electricity bill or rent agreement.
  • Bank account details with a cancelled cheque or bank certificate.
  • Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) for companies and LLPs.
  • MSME/Udyam certificate, if you have one. See MSME registration.
  • Passport-size photograph, if asked.

Make Merchant checks and formats your documents correctly, so DGFT does not reject or query your application.

IEC Registration Process – Step by Step

  • Step 1: Keep your PAN, Aadhaar, address proof and bank details ready.
  • Step 2: Register or log in on the DGFT portal (dgft.gov.in) and open the IEC application.
  • Step 3: Fill in the applicant, address, bank and business details.
  • Step 4: Verify with Aadhaar OTP, or sign with your DSC for companies and LLPs.
  • Step 5: Upload the documents and pay the government fee online.
  • Step 6: DGFT verifies the application and, if everything is correct, issues the IEC as a digital certificate.

The portal and steps may change. Make Merchant follows the current DGFT process.

IEC Registration Fees

The government fee is small, but mistakes in the application can lead to re-filing and delays. With Make Merchant, you get a clear fee structure:

ServiceGovernment FeeMake Merchant Fee
Fresh IEC registration₹500₹1,500
IEC modificationAs notified by DGFT₹1,000

Make Merchant fees are exclusive of GST. Government fees can change, so we confirm the current fee before filing.

IEC registration fees India Make Merchant

IEC Modification and Annual Update

Annual update: Even though the IEC has lifetime validity, DGFT requires IEC holders to confirm or update their details online every year, generally in the April to June window. If you miss it, the IEC can be deactivated and you cannot file shipping bills or bills of entry until it is updated.

Modification: If your address, bank account, directors, partners or contact details change, you should modify your IEC so that it matches your other records.

Make Merchant can handle both the annual update and the modification for you.

What to Register After Getting Your IEC

IEC is the first step. To start exporting or importing smoothly, you will usually need these as well:

RegistrationWhy you need it
GST registrationFor tax compliance and GST refunds on exports
AD Code registrationLinks your bank to the port for shipping bills and foreign exchange
ICEGATE registrationFor filing customs documents online
IFSC (bank account) registrationTo receive drawback and refunds from Customs in your account
RCMCTo claim export benefits through your Export Promotion Council
Digital Signature CertificateFor online filings on DGFT and ICEGATE
Customs clearanceFor smooth movement of your goods at the port
MSME (Udyam) registrationFor loans, subsidies and export support

Depending on your product, you may also need FSSAI, APEDA or other registrations.

Make Merchant IEC registration service India

Why Choose IEC Registration Through Make Merchant?

You can apply for an IEC online yourself, but many businesses face delays because of incomplete documents, technical errors or DGFT queries. Make Merchant provides:

  • End-to-end guidance on the application.
  • Error-free document preparation and filing.
  • Faster approval with a compliance check.
  • Help with DGFT queries and replies.
  • Support for allied registrations such as AD Code, RCMC, FSSAI and APEDA.

By choosing Make Merchant, you avoid costly mistakes and can focus on your business while we handle the compliance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on IEC Registration

Any business or individual who imports or exports goods from India needs an IEC (Import Export Code) issued by DGFT. For services exports, IEC is mainly needed if you want to claim benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy.

Once the application and documents are correct, IEC is usually issued within 3 to 7 working days. Errors in the application or DGFT queries can add to this time.

PAN of the applicant (the proprietor's PAN for a sole proprietorship, the entity's PAN for firms and companies), Aadhaar or ID proof of the applicant or authorised signatory, address proof, bank account details with a cancelled cheque or bank certificate, and an email ID and mobile number. Companies and LLPs also need a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC).

Yes. Sole proprietors, partnership firms, LLPs, companies, trusts, HUFs and societies can all apply.

IEC has lifetime validity, but DGFT requires every IEC holder to confirm or update the IEC details online once a year (generally in the April to June window). If this is not done, the IEC can be deactivated until you update it.

The government fee for a fresh IEC is ₹500. Make Merchant's professional fee for a fresh IEC is ₹1,500. Both are exclusive of GST.

Yes. You can modify details such as address, bank account, directors or contact information through the DGFT portal. Make Merchant can file the modification for you.

You cannot file shipping bills or bills of entry with a deactivated IEC. You need to complete the annual update on the DGFT portal to reactivate it, and we can help with this.

Yes. We also help with AD Code, ICEGATE, bank account (IFSC) registration, RCMC, DSC and customs clearance, so you can start exporting without delays.

IEC registration FAQs India
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