IEC Registration in India
IEC is the 10-digit Importer Exporter Code issued by DGFT under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act 1992. It is mandatory to import or export goods from India - applied for online for a Rs 500 fee.
- CA-reviewed
- Rs 500 govt fee
- Lifetime validity
- Trade-ready
Reviewed by CA & CS Team · Regikart | Last Updated: 28 May 2026
IEC is the 10-digit DGFT code mandatory for import or export from India. Applied for online for Rs 500, lifetime validity, with a mandatory annual update between 1 April and 30 June each year.
IEC registration: what you need to know
Since the shift to a PAN-based system, the IEC is the same 10-digit number as the business PAN, but it must still be formally activated on the DGFT portal. The code is used at customs, by banks for trade payments, and on Export Promotion Council and incentive portals.
| Issued by | Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) |
|---|---|
| Governing law | Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act 1992 |
| Form and portal | Form ANF-2A on dgft.gov.in |
| Government fee | Rs 500, one-time, non-refundable |
| Validity | Lifetime; mandatory annual update April to June |
| Timeline | 1 to 3 working days for the e-IEC |
Real outcomes for cross-border traders
Regikart filed our IEC in two working days and got our AD Code registered at JNPT. First container cleared without a hiccup.
They handled the April update for us this year. No change, zero fee, and our DGFT code stayed active through the FY.
Clear documentation list, smooth e-sign with Aadhaar, and the e-IEC came on day 3. Worth every rupee.
The gateway to legal cross-border trade
Customs will not clear without it
An active IEC is required for customs clearance of every import or export shipment in India.
Banks need it for trade payments
Authorised Dealer banks will not process foreign trade receipts or payments without a valid IEC.
Annual update keeps it active
Confirm or update IEC details between 1 April and 30 June each year, or DGFT deactivates the code.
Gateway to FTP benefits
An IEC unlocks Foreign Trade Policy incentives, Export Promotion Council registration and trade portals.
In plain language
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade, which issues and governs the IEC.
The online IEC application form on the DGFT portal.
The yearly confirmation of IEC details on the DGFT portal between April and June.
The bank's Authorised Dealer code registered at each customs port for clearance.
The customs portal where shipping bills and bills of entry are filed.
Any business engaged in cross-border trade
An IEC is not needed for goods imported or exported for personal use that are not connected to trade, manufacture or agriculture. For services, an IEC is generally needed only when claiming benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy.
- Proprietorships, partnerships, LLPs, companies, trusts and HUFs that import or export goods.
- Businesses clearing shipments through customs or receiving and sending foreign trade payments.
- Exporters applying for benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy or registering with an Export Promotion Council.
- Service exporters claiming benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy (otherwise not required for services).
IEC registration services we offer
Document preparation
We assemble and format your PAN, address proof, bank and entity documents to DGFT standards.
DGFT portal filing
We register your profile and file Form ANF-2A end to end on dgft.gov.in.
Fee and e-signing
We handle the Rs 500 government payment and e-sign with DSC or Aadhaar.
Annual update
We file your April to June update so your IEC is never deactivated.
Modifications
We update address, bank or constitution changes on the DGFT portal.
Trade-readiness support
We assist with AD Code registration at customs ports and ICEGATE setup.
IEC registration in 6 steps
- 01
Register on DGFT portal
Open dgft.gov.in with the business PAN, email and mobile, and verify by OTP.
- 02
Open Form ANF-2A
Log in and select Apply for IEC from the Services menu to open Form ANF-2A.
- 03
Enter business details
Enter business, address and bank details, matching the address proof and PAN exactly.
- 04
Upload documents
Upload PAN, address proof, cancelled cheque or bank certificate, and the entity document.
- 05
Pay fee and e-sign
Pay the Rs 500 government fee online and e-sign the application with DSC or Aadhaar.
- 06
Receive e-IEC
Download the e-IEC certificate from the portal, usually within 1 to 3 working days.
What you will need to keep ready
Entity identity
- PAN card of the applicant entity
- Aadhaar of the proprietor or authorised signatory for e-signing
- Entity document: partnership deed, certificate of incorporation, or LLP agreement
- Passport-size photograph of the proprietor or signatory, recently dated
Address and banking
- Address proof of the principal place of business
- Electricity bill, rent or lease agreement, or sale deed
- Cancelled cheque bearing the entity name
- Or a bank certificate in the prescribed format
Portal details
- Active email and mobile number for DGFT OTP verification
- DSC token or Aadhaar with linked mobile for e-signing
- Bank account details matching the cancelled cheque
- Nature of business and ITC(HS) classification of goods
Different registrations, different purposes
| Point | IEC | GST registration |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | DGFT | GST authorities (CBIC) |
| Purpose | Import and export of goods | Levy and credit of GST |
| Number | 10-digit, same as PAN | 15-digit GSTIN |
| Fee | Rs 500 government fee | Nil government fee |
| Renewal | Lifetime; annual update only | No renewal; returns filed periodically |
Transparent fees, no surprises
Government fee is Rs 500, one-time and non-refundable. The annual update is free with no change and Rs 200 for a modification. Regikart professional fee covers preparation, filing and follow-up.
IEC Only
Just the new IEC registration.
- Document preparation
- Form ANF-2A filing on DGFT portal
- Rs 500 fee payment and e-signing
- e-IEC certificate delivery
IEC + Trade Readiness
Most popular for first-time importers and exporters.
- Everything in IEC Only
- AD Code registration at customs port
- ICEGATE setup walkthrough
- Foreign Trade Policy briefing
IEC + Annual Update Retainer
IEC plus the mandatory April to June update every year.
- Everything in IEC + Trade Readiness
- Annual update filing (April-June)
- Modification filings as needed
- Reminders before deactivation window
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| DGFT government fee (IEC application) | Rs 500 |
| Regikart professional fee (new IEC) | On request |
| Annual update - no change | Nil (govt) |
| Annual update - modification | Rs 200 (govt) |
| Regikart professional fee (annual update) | On request |
All fees and charges listed are indicative only and do not constitute a binding offer. Final amounts may vary depending on the volume of work and the complexity involved.
A CA-led IEC filing partner
CA and CS led
Applications reviewed by qualified Chartered Accountants and Company Secretaries before filing.
Clean filings, first time
We validate address and bank documents upfront so DGFT does not reject the application.
Annual update covered
We diarise and file your April-June update so your IEC stays active and trade never freezes.
Pan-India service
Offices in Kolkata, Delhi, Gurugram and Pune; remote support across all states and UTs.
Trade-readiness add-ons
AD Code registration and ICEGATE setup so you can clear shipments from day one.
Transparent pricing
Clear quotes for new IEC, annual update and modification, with no hidden extras.
How we keep your IEC active and clean
Address mismatch
The address proof must match the PAN or carry a consent letter. We check this before filing to avoid rejection.
Bank detail errors
A cancelled cheque must show the entity name. We validate the bank document upfront.
Missed annual update
Most deactivations come from a forgotten April to June update. We diarise and file it for you.
e-signing failures
Aadhaar mobile and DSC issues stall applications. We set up the correct signing method first.
AD Code overlooked
An IEC alone is not enough at customs. We register your AD Code at each port for clearance.
Hand-off the paperwork, focus on the trade
| Aspect | Doing it yourself | With Regikart |
|---|---|---|
| Document validation | Address or bank mismatches cause rejection | PAN, address and bank documents validated before filing |
| Form ANF-2A | Errors in business or ITC(HS) details | Filed correctly the first time |
| e-signing | Aadhaar OTP or DSC issues stall the application | Right signing method set up before submission |
| AD Code at customs | Often forgotten; shipments held | Registered at each relevant port |
| Annual update | Forgotten, leading to deactivation | Diarised and filed in the April-June window |
| Trade portals | ICEGATE and EPC setup left to figure out alone | Walkthrough and setup included on request |
IEC under the Foreign Trade Act 1992
IEC is issued and governed by DGFT under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act 1992, read with the Foreign Trade Policy. The application is made in Form ANF-2A on the DGFT portal and the code is PAN-based.
- Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act 1992
IEC is issued and governed by DGFT under this Act, read with the Foreign Trade Policy. The application is filed in Form ANF-2A.
- Annual update obligation
Every IEC holder must confirm or update IEC details on the DGFT portal between 1 April and 30 June each year. No change is free; a modification costs Rs 200.
- Consequence of non-compliance
If the annual update is not completed by 30 June, DGFT deactivates the IEC. Customs clearance, foreign trade payments and incentive claims are blocked until it is updated.
- Trade readiness
After the IEC, register your bank's AD Code at each customs port and set up ICEGATE to file shipping bills and bills of entry.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers on the Rs 500 DGFT fee, Form ANF-2A, validity, the April-June annual update, IEC vs PAN, and timelines.
Still have questions?
Book a free 20-minute consult with a senior partner - we'll walk through your case and outline next steps.
Talk to a partner →Round out your trade-readiness stack
AD Code registration
Register your bank's AD Code at each customs port for clearance.
Learn moreGST registration
Usually needed alongside IEC for traders levying or claiming GST.
Learn moreDigital Signature Certificate
For e-signing DGFT and customs filings.
Learn moreIEC annual update
The yearly April to June confirmation that keeps your IEC active.
Learn moreGet trade-ready in days, not weeks
Our CA team files Form ANF-2A on the DGFT portal, pays the Rs 500 fee, e-signs the application and ships your e-IEC. We can also register your AD Code and ICEGATE for end-to-end customs readiness.
- e-IEC in 1 to 3 days
- Annual update never missed
- AD Code at customs port
- ICEGATE setup included