Who needs an Importer Exporter Code (IEC), and how is it obtained and kept active?

Who needs it

• Every person importing or exporting goods, whether an individual, firm, company or other entity.
• Service exporters who want benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy.

Exempt: imports and exports for personal use not connected with trade, government departments and notified public bodies, and certain notified charitable organisations.

How to get it

1. Log in on the DGFT portal (register with your mobile and email).
2. Apply in the online form with the PAN of the business. The IEC number is the same as the PAN.
3. Give the address, bank account, business activity, and details of the proprietor, partners or directors.
4. Pay ₹500 and sign with a digital signature or Aadhaar e-sign.
5. The e-IEC is issued online, usually at once.

One PAN can have only one IEC; branches are added to it.

Keeping it active

• Update the IEC every year between April and June, even if no details have changed. A confirmation is enough.
• If not updated, the IEC is deactivated, and customs will not clear goods. Updating it online reactivates it.
• Update it within 30 days of any change in address, partners, directors or bank account.

After the IEC

• Register the IEC on ICEGATE and register your bank's AD code at each port you use.
• GST: exporters file a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) each year to export without paying IGST.
• RCMC: register with the relevant Export Promotion Council to claim most Foreign Trade Policy benefits.