If you want to import goods into India or export your products to international buyers, you need a regulatory pass called the Import Export Code (IEC). The IEC is a unique 10-digit identification code issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce, Government of India. In fact, since the integration of government databases, your IEC number is identical to your business's Permanent Account Number (PAN). However, you must formally register and activate your PAN as an IEC on the DGFT portal before you can handle global trade.
When and Why is the IEC Mandatory?
You cannot legally import or export goods without an active IEC. You will need your IEC at several critical stages:
- **Customs Clearance**: Customs officers will not clear your incoming imports or outgoing exports unless your IEC is verified on the ICEGATE customs network.
- **Bank Transactions**: Banks will not process foreign currency transfers or clear payments from international buyers without a valid IEC.
- **Export Schemes**: You need an active IEC to claim government incentives, duty drawbacks, and export subsidies under schemes like RoDTEP or EPCG.
Required Document Checklist for IEC
Filing for an IEC is completely online and requires only a few basic business files. We will verify and upload these documents for you:
- **PAN Card**: PAN of the individual proprietor, partnership firm, or corporate company.
- **Aadhaar or Voter ID**: Identity proof of the business owner, partners, or directors.
- **Bank Certificate/Cancelled Cheque**: A cancelled cheque or bank certificate showing the business's current bank account name, account number, and IFSC code.
- **Address Proof**: A copy of your rent agreement, electricity bill, or property deed showing the business's physical address.
Lifetime Validity and the Annual Update Rule
An IEC has lifetime validity—you do not need to pay renewal fees or apply for a new code. However, to keep your code active, you must update your details on the DGFT portal once every year between April and June (even if there are no changes to your business details). If you miss this annual update window, the DGFT will deactivate your IEC. If your code is deactivated, custom clearings stop immediately. We can help you update your IEC every year to maintain active trading status.
How We Can Help You Start Trading
Registering on the DGFT portal, setting up your profile, linking your digital signature (DSC) or Aadhaar OTP, and resolving mapping errors on the customs network can be confusing. Our expert team handles the entire IEC filing process online. We register your profile, secure your IEC certificate, and ensure it is active on the customs port within 24 to 48 hours so you can start trading globally without delays.