If your business imports goods into India or exports goods out of India - for any commercial purpose - one document stands between you and legal trade: the Import Export Code, commonly called IEC.
Without a valid IEC, customs authorities will not clear your shipments at any port, airport, or land border. Banks will not process your international trade payments or remittances. Export promotion councils will not accept your registrations. And you cannot legally avail of any export incentive schemes offered by the Government of India.
The good news: an IEC costs just Rs 500, takes 1 to 3 working days on the DGFT portal, and is valid for the lifetime of your business. The catch: it must be updated every year between April and June - or it will be automatically deactivated.
This blog covers everything you need to know about IEC registration and compliance in 2026.
What is an IEC?
The Import Export Code (IEC) is a 10-digit unique identification number issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. It is governed by the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992.
Post-GST, the IEC number is the same as your business PAN. However, you still need to formally apply for and receive IEC status through the DGFT portal - having a PAN does not automatically give you IEC clearance for trade.
The IEC is your business passport for international trade. Just as your PAN is required for domestic tax transactions, your IEC is required for all cross-border commercial transactions.
Who Needs an IEC?
IEC is mandatory for every person, firm, company, LLP, trust, HUF, or society that:
- Imports goods into India for any commercial purpose - raw materials, machinery, finished products, consumables
- Exports goods from India - all categories of merchandise or products
- Sells on international e-commerce platforms like Amazon Global Selling, Etsy, eBay, or Shopify with international shipping
- Sends international remittances for commercial trade (banks require IEC for outward trade payments)
- Applies for export incentives, MEIS/RoDTEP benefits, or registrations with Export Promotion Councils
- Obtains RCMC (Registration Cum Membership Certificate) from any Export Promotion Council
IEC is NOT required for:
- Personal use imports not connected with trade or manufacturing
- Central and State Government ministries and departments
- Border trade with Nepal, Bhutan, or Myanmar through specified border posts where CIF value per consignment does not exceed Rs 25,000
- Diplomatic personnel and UN agency staff
IEC Registration Fee & Validity
|
Detail |
Particulars |
|---|---|
|
Government Fee |
Rs 500 - paid online via DGFT portal (net banking, UPI, debit/credit card) |
|
Validity |
Lifetime - no renewal required once issued |
|
Annual Update |
Mandatory every year between 1 April and 30 June - free of charge |
|
Issuing Authority |
DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade), Ministry of Commerce & Industry |
|
Form |
ANF 2A - filed online on the DGFT portal (dgft.gov.in) |
|
Processing Time |
1 to 3 working days after complete submission |
|
Format |
10-digit alphanumeric code - same as your entity's PAN |
Documents Required for IEC Registration (2026)
Documents vary slightly by entity type. Here is the complete checklist:
All Entity Types
- PAN card of the entity (company PAN for companies/LLPs, individual PAN for sole proprietors)
- Aadhaar card of the authorised signatory - for OTP-based verification on the DGFT portal
- Cancelled cheque or bank certificate - from a current account in the entity's name (DGFT cross-verifies bank account details)
- Address proof of principal place of business - utility bill (not older than 2 months), rent agreement with NOC, or sale deed
- Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) of the authorised signatory - Class 3 DSC recommended
Additional for Companies and LLPs
- Certificate of Incorporation from MCA
- MOA/AOA or LLP Agreement
- Board resolution authorising the signatory to apply for IEC
Additional for Partnership Firms
- Partnership deed
- Authorisation letter from all partners
Step-by-Step Registration Process on DGFT Portal
- Step 1: Visit dgft.gov.in and click 'Register' to create an account using your email ID, mobile number, and PAN. Complete OTP verification
- Step 2: Log in and navigate to Services > IEC > Apply for IEC. The application form (ANF 2A) opens automatically
- Step 3: Select your entity type - Individual, Proprietorship, Partnership, LLP, Private Limited Company, Public Limited Company, Trust, Society, or HUF
- Step 4: Enter the legal name exactly as per your PAN, PAN number, date of incorporation or birth, and registered address
- Step 5: Enter bank account details - account number and IFSC code. The system verifies these details against the DGFT bank database. Ensure the account is in the entity's name
- Step 6: Upload all required documents in PDF format, self-attested
- Step 7: Register your Digital Signature Certificate via My Dashboard > Register Digital Signature Token
- Step 8: Pay Rs 500 government fee online
- Step 9: Submit. Your application is processed and the IEC certificate is issued - typically within 24 to 48 hours if all documents are correct. Download the IEC certificate (which now includes a QR code for online verification)
Apply at: DGFT Portal - dgft.gov.in
The Annual Update Rule - The Most Important Thing Every IEC Holder Must Know
Here is the compliance requirement that most IEC holders miss, and it has serious consequences: Every IEC holder must update their IEC details on the DGFT portal every year between 1 April and 30 June.
This update is mandatory even if there are no changes to your details. It is a confirmation that your IEC is still active and your entity details are current. The update is completely free of charge if completed within the April to June window.
If you miss the annual update window, your IEC will be automatically deactivated. A deactivated IEC means:
- Customs will not clear any import or export consignment
- Banks will refuse to process international trade payments
- Any pending export incentive applications will be frozen
- You cannot register on any Export Promotion Council portal
A deactivated IEC can be reactivated by completing the overdue annual update - but the reactivation may be without prejudice to other action taken by DGFT for the period of non-compliance.
Annual Update Deadline 2026: Complete your FY 2025-26 IEC annual update between 1 April 2026 and 30 June 2026 on the DGFT portal.
Post-IEC Registration - What You Must Do Next
Register AD Code at customs ports:
After receiving your IEC, register your bank's AD (Authorised Dealer) Code at each customs port where you plan to import or export. Obtain an AD Code letter from your bank and submit it at the port's customs office. This is a one-time registration per port.
Register on ICEGATE:
ICEGATE (Indian Customs EDI Gateway) is the portal where all import and export documentation - bills of entry, shipping bills - is filed. Register at icegate.gov.in using your IEC and PAN. A DSC is required for filing.
Apply for GST registration:
GST registration is essential for import-export businesses. Importers pay IGST at customs and can claim ITC. Exporters must file a Letter of Undertaking (LUT) for zero-rated exports or claim IGST refunds. Without GST registration, you cannot do either.
Register with Export Promotion Councils:
Depending on your export category, register with the relevant Export Promotion Council (EPC) to obtain RCMC and access government export incentive schemes under the Foreign Trade Policy.
IEC Modification
Any change in your entity details must be reported via an IEC modification application on the DGFT portal. This includes changes to:
- Registered address or business address
- Bank account details
- Authorised signatory or management changes
- Change in entity type (e.g., sole proprietor to company)
Modification applications are processed online and are typically approved within 1 to 3 working days.
Can You Have More Than One IEC?
No. Only one IEC is permitted against one PAN. If you operate multiple businesses under the same PAN, all of them must use the same IEC. The IEC is also non-transferable - it cannot be assigned to another entity even if the business is sold.
How Targolegal Can Help
Our Targo License service handles complete IEC registration - from document preparation and DGFT portal application to IEC certificate delivery. We also manage your annual IEC update so your code is never deactivated due to a missed deadline.
If you are planning to start exporting or importing, or if your IEC has been deactivated, contact Targolegal today.
