Import Export Code (IEC): A Complete Guide to Registration, Cost and Renewal
If you're planning to sell your products abroad, or bring in goods from another country, there's one document you simply cannot skip — the Import Export Code, commonly known as IEC. I have worked with plenty of novice exporters and importers, and I have seen them getting stuck at this very point, largely because no one has ever taken the trouble to explain the concept to them in simple terms. Let's make things right.
What Is Import Export Code?
Import export code refers to a 10-digit identification code provided by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to all businesses or individuals involved in importing/exporting of goods and services in India. No IEC, no customs clearance, no international payment settlement. It's that simple.
What Exactly Is an Import Export Code?
Your import export code IEC is directly linked to your PAN, which makes it essentially a trade identity that is built upon the already existing tax identity of yours. Once it is issued, the code remains valid for the lifetime of your company and does not require annual renewals unlike a trade license or the FSSAI registration. If you are a manufacturer, a trader, or even a freelancing professional providing services to foreign companies and if you want to export goods and/or services for the very first time, IEC will be required by both custom authorities and banks for your transaction.
Import export code for services is also quite common misconception among a lot of people. The notion of IEC is thought to apply to physical goods only while in actual fact, even service providers need to obtain the import export code for claiming the advantages offered under SEPC schemes.
Who Actually Needs to Apply for Import Export Code?
Here's the honest answer: almost anyone doing cross-border trade needs it, with a handful of exceptions.
- Manufacturers and traders exporting physical goods
- Importers bringing in raw material, machinery, or finished products
- Service providers billing clients outside India who want export incentives
- E-commerce sellers shipping internationally
- Proprietors, partnership firms, LLPs, private companies — basically any legal structure
The only people exempted are government departments, personal-use importers/exporters (non-trade, non-commercial), and small consignments crossing the Nepal or Myanmar border under a specific value threshold. Everyone else needs to get import export code before they can legally trade internationally.
Why Bother Getting One? The Actual Advantages
Apart from the legal requirement, there are other advantages to consider:
- Entry to the international market - With the IEC, your company will be able to reach beyond domestic borders and access international markets, which is where all real growth occurs for MSMEs nowadays.
- There is no need to comply repeatedly - As opposed to many other licenses, the IEC does not require annual reporting. You register once, and it's valid forever, provided you keep the details updated (more on that below).
- Smoother banking transactions — Every time money moves in or out of the country for trade purposes, your bank will ask for the IEC certificate. Having it ready avoids delays in receiving export payments or making import remittances.
- Eligibility for government schemes — Registered exporters can access various incentive schemes, duty benefits, and subsidies offered through DGFT and export promotion councils.
Documents Required for Import Export Code Registration
Keep these ready before you start the application — it saves a lot of back-and-forth:
- PAN card of the business entity (or individual, in case of proprietorship)
- PAN and Aadhaar of the proprietor, partners, or directors
- Address proof of the business — this can be a rent agreement, electricity bill, sale deed, or any valid ownership document
- A cancelled cheque or bank certificate reflecting the entity's current account details
That's it. No lengthy paperwork, no notarised affidavits — which is part of why import export code registration online has become such a fast-moving process compared to other business licenses.
Import Export Code: Procedure to Register
The confusion usually starts here, hence we will guide you through the entire procedure of import export code application.
- Verification of PAN on the DGFT Portal: The first step involves going to the official website of DGFT and initiating the process of IEC application. After entering your PAN, it gets cross-verified against the records of CBDT.
- OTP Verification: Once your PAN is verified, you have to go through OTP verification of your registered contact details. This confirms it's really you filing the application.
- Fill in the application form: This is the core of the import export code registration online process. You will have to fill in the information such as your business name, business type, registered address and the details of the business proprietor/partners/directors depending upon the kind of your business entity.
- Upload supporting documents: Upload your scanned copies of address proof and bank details in PDF format as mentioned above.
- Pay the government fees: Upon filling the form, you will have to pay the government fees which will be done online via the portal.
Application approval & receipt of certificate: On submission of the form, DGFT will evaluate the application. If there are no discrepancies, your import/export code certificate is issued within 2-3 days.
The process of application for import export code online is completely paperless and if your documents are in order, then you really don't have to go anywhere.
Cost of Import Export Code: How Much will It Really Cost You?
One of the most frequent questions I hear is regarding the cost of the import export code. As far as the cost of import export code is concerned, it has a fixed cost of INR 500 for new registrations with the government. In case you have to update any information related to your IEC such as a change in the address or the bank account, then it will cost you INR 200 more.
If you choose to get import export code through a consultant or compliance partner instead of doing it yourself, there will be a service fee on top of the government charges, but that usually buys you faster turnaround and fewer chances of the application getting stuck on a technicality.
Import Export Code Number and Certificate: What You Get
Once your application clears, you're issued a 10-digit import export code number, which as mentioned earlier is your business PAN. Along with the number, you receive a formal certificate of import export code as a downloadable document from the DGFT portal. This certificate is what you'll present at customs, submit to your bank for foreign remittances, and use whenever an export promotion council or government body asks for proof of registration.
One important thing — your import exports the code number is valid for all branches, factories, and units functioning with the same PAN. You don’t have to generate a code number for every individual branch or factory.
Code Number Verification: Checking Whether Your Import Export Code is Authentic
In order to check the authenticity of the import export code, verification can be done on the official website of DGFT. You can search using the IEC number or the associated PAN, and the portal will display the registration status, entity name, and validity. This process of verifying the import export code is more advantageous to those involved in import and export activities and would like to ensure that the supplier/buyer is indeed registered before signing any agreement.
Import Export Code Renewal: The One Compliance You Can't Skip
Technically, IEC doesn't expire and there's no traditional "renewal" in the sense of reapplying every few years. But DGFT does require an annual update — IEC holders must confirm or update their details on the portal every year between April and June. The failure of doing so will see your code being deactivated, and consequently, your trading will cease until you reactivate it. Hence, though there are many searches on how to renew your code for import export, it is actually the process described above.
Why Work With CorpZo
Getting an IEC license online sounds simple on paper, but a surprising number of applications get rejected or delayed over small mismatches — a PAN name not matching bank records, an address proof that's expired, or an incomplete form. CorpZo team has been doing this for years for manufacturers, service exporters, as well as for entrepreneurs applying for the first time. We ensure that your application gets processed properly right on the first attempt without the need to go back and forth with DGFT.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Can I get an import export code registration online without visiting any office?
Yes, the whole process is done online on the DGFT website.
2. Is there a renewal fee for IEC?
There is no renewal cost, however, it is mandatory for you to submit the yearly updated application in order to maintain your code.
3. How long does it take to get import export code?
Normally 2-3 working days after verification of the application and the documents.
4. Can IEC details be modified later?
Yes, it is possible to make changes to the existing code by submitting the change application form on DGFT portal at a cost of Rs 200.
5. Do service-based businesses need IEC too?
Yes — import export code for services applies to consultants, agencies, and freelancers billing overseas clients who want to claim export benefits.
In case you find it difficult to navigate the DGFT portal and format the documents, we at CorpZo will take care of your import export code registration.