IEC Registration
The Import Export Code is a 10-digit code issued by DGFT and is the single licence that makes cross-border trade legal for an Indian business. Since 2017 it mirrors your PAN, so one entity holds exactly one IEC.
- Issued by
- DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade)
- Typical time
- 1–3 working days once documents are complete
- Government fee
- ₹500 government fee, paid directly to DGFT at actuals
- Validity
- Lifetime — but a mandatory free update every year between April and June
Who needs it
Every business shipping goods out of India or bringing them in — no customs clearance, no export remittance and no bank AD Code is possible without it. Service exporters need it only when claiming benefits under foreign trade policy.
Documents required
- PAN card of the business (or of the proprietor, for a proprietorship)
- Aadhaar of the signatory, linked to a mobile number for OTP
- Cancelled cheque or bank certificate for the current account
- Proof of business address — electricity bill, rent agreement or sale deed
- Incorporation certificate or partnership deed, where applicable
How it works
- 1
Send us your documents
Scans are fine. We check them against DGFT's current requirements before anything is filed — most rejections are a mismatched address proof or an unlinked Aadhaar, both caught at this stage.
- 2
We prepare the application
We complete the ANF-2A form on the DGFT portal with your business details, bank particulars and branch addresses, and pay the government fee at actuals.
- 3
You authorise it
You sign with your own Aadhaar OTP or DSC — the filing is made in your name, as it legally must be. We never sign on your behalf.
- 4
IEC issued
DGFT issues the certificate, usually within 1–3 working days. We hand over the certificate and set a reminder for your first annual update.
After it is issued
Once your IEC is issued, Eximly stores it against your company and pre-fills it into every shipping bill, certificate of origin and export document you raise — so it is typed once, not on every form.
Start a 30-day free trial of Eximly →Frequently asked questions
How much does IEC registration cost?
DGFT charges a ₹500 government fee, paid once. That is the department's fee and we pass it through at actuals; our service fee for preparing and filing the application is quoted separately when you enquire.
How long does an IEC take?
Typically 1–3 working days from the point your documents are complete and correct. Clean applications are often issued within 24 hours. Incomplete address proof is the most common cause of delay.
Does an IEC expire?
No — it is valid for life. But it must be updated on the DGFT portal every year between April and June, even if nothing has changed. There is no fee for that update, and an IEC that is not updated gets deactivated.
Do I need a CA to apply for an IEC?
No. There is no legal requirement for a chartered accountant. The application is filed by you or an authorised representative using your Aadhaar OTP or digital signature.
Can I have more than one IEC?
No. One PAN, one IEC. Additional branches and factory addresses are added to the same IEC rather than issued as new codes.
Want us to handle IEC Registration?
Send us your details and we will confirm what applies to your business, what the department charges, and what we charge — before anything is filed.
Enquire now →