Import Export Code (IEC) Registration Online
Import Export Code (IEC) is the Government of India's mandatory registration for any business that wants to import or export goods or services commercially, issued by the DGFT under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992. It's a fully online, PAN-based process - one IEC per PAN, regardless of branches - that issues a permanent 10-digit code and a digital certificate, with no physical paperwork.
Get Your Import Export Code, End to End.
From DGFT application to your digital IEC certificate — we handle the PAN-based filing and application tracking, so you can start importing or exporting without the guesswork.
- DGFT Portal Filing
- PAN-Based Application
- 10-Digit IEC Number
- Digital IEC Certificate
- Zero Physical Paperwork
- End-to-End Application Tracking
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Simple Packages, Transparent Pricing
Government fees and stamp duty are billed separately, at actuals — no hidden charges.
Import Export Code (IEC) Registration
Get your Import Export Code from DGFT to start importing or exporting.
- IEC application filing (DGFT portal)
- PAN-based application preparation
- Document verification & submission
- 10-digit Import Export Code
- Digital IEC certificate
What is an Import Export Code (IEC)?
An Import Export Code (IEC) is the mandatory registration required to import or export goods or services commercially from India, issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, under the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 and the Foreign Trade Policy. Customs will not clear a commercial shipment without a valid IEC.
It's a PAN-based, 10-digit code — a business gets exactly one IEC regardless of how many branches it operates — and the entire application runs online on the DGFT portal. There's no minimum turnover or capital requirement, and unlike GST, there's no periodic return filing: once issued, an IEC only needs a simple online confirmation each year between April and June, even if nothing has changed.
Key Features
- Mandatory to import or export goods or services commercially from India
- PAN-based — one IEC per PAN, regardless of how many branches you have
- Any entity type can apply — proprietorship, partnership, LLP, company, HUF, trust, society
- Entirely online via the DGFT portal (dgft.gov.in)
- Issued as a digital certificate only — no physical certificate since 2021
- No return-filing burden — just an online confirmation every April–June
Why You Need an IEC
An IEC unlocks the ability to trade internationally, with far less ongoing compliance than most other business registrations.
Mandatory for Import/Export
Customs will not clear any commercial shipment without a valid IEC — it's the legal prerequisite to import or export from India.
Low, Predictable Compliance
Unlike GST, there's no monthly or quarterly return filing — just one online confirmation each year, between April and June.
Foreign Currency Banking
Banks typically require an IEC to open an account or process transactions in foreign currency for trade.
No Turnover or Capital Threshold
Apply regardless of business size — there's no minimum turnover, capital, or investment requirement.
Any Business Structure
Available to proprietors, partnerships, LLPs, companies, HUFs, trusts, and societies alike — no specific entity type required.
Lifetime Validity
Once issued, your IEC stays valid for life — it just needs an annual online confirmation, not a renewal.
How Registration Works
A guided, six-step process from consultation to certificate — fully managed on your behalf.
Free Consultation
Share your business and PAN details with our experts and confirm eligibility.
Day 1Document Preparation
We prepare your PAN, business address proof, and bank details for the DGFT application.
Day 1DGFT Portal Filing
Your application is filed online on the DGFT portal, e-signed via Aadhaar or DSC.
Same DayApplication Processing
DGFT verifies your PAN and business details against government records.
1–2 DaysIEC Certificate Issued
Receive your 10-digit Import Export Code as a downloadable digital certificate.
1–2 DaysAnnual Confirmation Support
We remind and assist you with the mandatory April–June online IEC confirmation each year.
OngoingDocuments Required
No MOA, AOA, or partnership deed is needed for IEC itself — just these basics. Keep them ready and our team will guide you through the filing.
PAN Card
Of the business entity (the proprietor's PAN, for a proprietorship)
Business Address Proof
Utility bill, rent agreement, or property document for your registered office
Bank Account Details
A cancelled cheque or a bank certificate confirming your account details
Aadhaar-Based Authentication
Of the proprietor/partner/director, to e-sign the DGFT application
Mobile Number & Email
Active contact details for OTP verification on the DGFT portal
GSTIN (If Applicable)
If already registered under GST — not mandatory for IEC itself
Annual IEC Confirmation (effective 2021)
Every IEC must be confirmed online between April–June each year, even with no changes — otherwise it's auto-deactivated (easily reactivated once confirmed).
IEC vs. GST vs. Udyam Registration
Businesses often confuse these three — they serve different purposes, and many businesses end up needing all three.
| IEC | GST | Udyam | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regulator | DGFT (Commerce Ministry) | GSTN (Finance Ministry) | Ministry of MSME |
| Purpose | Import/export authorization | Tax on goods & services | MSME classification |
| Who Needs It | Any commercial importer/exporter | Businesses above the turnover threshold | Any MSME seeking government benefits |
| Filing Frequency | One-time + annual confirmation | Monthly / quarterly returns | One-time, no renewal |
| Identifier Issued | 10-digit IEC | 15-digit GSTIN | Udyam Registration Number |
| Ongoing Compliance | Low | High | Low |
Trusted by Importers & Exporters Across India
Real feedback from businesses we've helped register and stay compliant.
“We needed our IEC before our first export shipment could clear customs. The whole application was done online in under two days — no branch visits, no paperwork.”
Vikram Desai
Founder, Desai Textile Exports
“I run a small proprietorship and assumed IEC registration would be complicated. It wasn't — just my PAN and a cancelled cheque, and the certificate was ready the next day.”
Ayesha Khan
Proprietor, Khan Spice Traders
“What I liked most is there's no monthly filing like GST — we just confirm our IEC once a year between April and June. One less compliance headache to track.”
Rohit Malhotra
Director, Malhotra Auto Components Pvt Ltd
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does IEC registration take?
Typically 1-2 working days once your PAN and bank details are verified — DGFT processes the application entirely online, so there's no physical filing or in-person visit required.
Do I get a physical IEC certificate?
No. Since a 2021 DGFT reform, IEC is issued only as a digital certificate that you download from the DGFT portal — there's no physical certificate anymore.
Can one business hold more than one IEC?
No. IEC is PAN-based — a business gets exactly one IEC regardless of how many branches or locations it operates, since it's tied to the PAN, not the branch.
Do I need to file returns after getting an IEC?
No. Unlike GST, IEC has no periodic return-filing requirement. You just confirm your details online once a year, between April and June, even if nothing has changed.
What happens if I miss the annual IEC confirmation?
Your IEC gets auto-deactivated for non-confirmation, but it's easily reactivated once you complete the online confirmation — it isn't cancelled permanently.
Is there a minimum turnover required to apply?
No. There's no minimum turnover, capital, or investment requirement — any business, regardless of size, can apply for an IEC.
Ready to Get Your Import Export Code?
Talk to a compliance expert today and get a clear, no-obligation roadmap for your IEC application — usually within a few hours.
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