How to get an IEC in India: step-by-step guide (2026)

← All articles

Apply for an Importer-Exporter Code online on DGFT: documents, Rs 500 fee, steps, the April-June annual update and common mistakes.

Short answer: an Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) is the 10-character number that the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) gives to every business that imports or exports goods from India. It is the same as your PAN, you apply for it online at dgft.gov.in, the application fee is ₹500, and the e-IEC is generated straight after you submit. It never expires, but you must update or confirm it online every year between April and June, or it gets de-activated.

This guide walks you through who needs an IEC, what you need before you start, the exact steps on the DGFT portal, and the yearly update most new exporters forget. If you are just starting out, our free guide The IEC Blueprint goes with this article.

What is an IEC?

The Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) 2023 describes the IEC as a 10-character alpha-numeric number allotted to an entity (a firm, company, LLP and so on). It is mandatory for any export or import activity. Since GST came in, the IEC is the same as the entity's Permanent Account Number (PAN), but DGFT still issues it separately, through an online application.

In practice, your IEC is the number Customs, your bank and DGFT use to recognise you as a trader. It goes on your shipping bills and bills of entry, it is linked to your export payments, and you need it to apply for most FTP schemes.

Who needs an IEC, and who does not

Under FTP paragraph 2.05, no one may export or import goods without an IEC unless they fall in an exempt category. For services and technology the rule is softer: an IEC is needed only if you want to claim benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy.

The Handbook of Procedures (HBP) 2023, paragraph 2.07, lists the main exemptions. They include:

• Ministries and departments of the Central or State Government.
• People importing or exporting goods for personal use that is not connected with trade, manufacture or agriculture.
• Small consignments to or from Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar (through the Indo-Myanmar border areas) where the CIF value of a single consignment does not exceed ₹25,000, and certain border trade with China within the value limits set in the HBP.

Some exempt groups use "permanent" IEC numbers listed in the same paragraph, for example people claiming benefits under the Baggage Rules. If you are running a business, even a one-person one, assume you need your own IEC.

What you need before you apply

The DGFT's IEC FAQ lists the technical requirements. Keep these ready before you open the portal:

• PAN of the business (or of the proprietor, for a proprietorship).
• Aadhaar details that match the PAN.
• Mobile number and email ID. Both are verified by OTP, and the email becomes your login name.
• Address details of your office and branches.
• A bank account in the name of the IEC holder.
• A Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) or Aadhaar-based e-sign to sign the application.

You will upload scanned documents as PDF files of up to 5 MB each:

• Proof of establishment for partnerships, societies, trusts, HUFs and similar entities. For companies, the name is fetched from the CIN, so check it is correct.
• Proof of address. For example, a sale deed, rent or lease agreement, electricity or landline bill, or partnership deed. Proprietors may also use Aadhaar, passport or voter ID. If the premises are not in the firm's name, add a no-objection certificate from the owner in the same PDF.
• Proof of the bank account. A cancelled cheque with the entity's pre-printed name, or a bank certificate.

How to apply for an IEC: step by step

1. Register on the DGFT portal. Go to dgft.gov.in, choose Login, then Register, and pick "Importer/Exporter". Enter your basic details and the OTPs sent to your mobile and email. A temporary password is emailed to you. OTPs expire in 15 minutes, so keep your phone close.
2. Log in and change the password. Your email ID is your user name.
3. Start the application. From your dashboard, open the Importer Exporter Code (IEC) section and choose "Apply for IEC". The form is called ANF-2A.
4. Fill in the sections one by one. These cover entity details, address and branches, bank details, and the partners or directors. Each section saves when all mandatory fields are complete. For foreign directors without a PAN, tick the "foreign national" box.
5. Upload the documents listed above.
6. Pay the fee. Appendix 2K of the FTP sets the fee for an IEC application at ₹500. Payment goes through the Bharatkosh gateway (net banking, cards or UPI).
7. Sign and submit with your DSC or Aadhaar e-sign.
8. Download your e-IEC. HBP paragraph 2.08 says the IEC is auto-generated and sent to you by email and SMS. DGFT's FAQ adds that it reaches ICEGATE, the customs portal, in real time.

Tip: DGFT validates your bank details through PFMS, and the result comes the next day. Until then the IEC is issued but flagged for risk. If validation fails, the regional office will check the bank document you uploaded. A clear bank certificate or cheque saves time.

One PAN, one IEC

HBP paragraph 2.12 is short: only one IEC is issued against one PAN. The IEC covers all your branches, divisions, units and factories (HBP 2.10). You do not need a new IEC for a new branch. Add the branch to your IEC profile instead.

Does an IEC expire?

No. HBP paragraph 2.10 gives the IEC permanent validity unless it is suspended or cancelled. There is no renewal fee or renewal date.

But "permanent" does not mean "set and forget". FTP paragraph 2.05(d) and (e) says:

• You must update your IEC details online every year during April to June.
• If nothing has changed, you still have to confirm the details online in that window.
• If you miss it, the IEC is de-activated. It can be activated again once you complete the update.

Appendix 2K lists a fee of ₹200 for an annual update made after the April–June window. A de-activated IEC can hold up a shipment at the port, so put the update in your calendar.

Changing your IEC details

If your firm's constitution, address, bank account or any other main detail changes, HBP paragraph 2.14 says you must update the IEC online within 30 days of the change. Most changes are made on the portal through "Modify IEC" after you link your IEC to your login with a DSC.

Some changes need approval from your jurisdictional Regional Authority (RA). These include a change of PAN in an old numeric IEC, or a change in name or date of birth/incorporation as per PAN. The request shows "In Process" until the RA approves it. DGFT's FAQ notes that once approved, changes can take about 12–24 hours to appear in linked systems such as the Certificate of Origin platform.

If your business changes PAN because of a merger, acquisition or similar event, the new entity needs its own IEC within 30 days. You cannot apply for a fresh IEC on the same PAN even after surrendering an old numeric one, so modify the existing IEC instead.

After you get your IEC: what next?

An IEC lets you trade, but most exporters need a few more registrations before the first shipment:

• ICEGATE registration, so you or your customs broker can file shipping bills and track them.
• Your bank's AD (Authorised Dealer) code registered with Customs, so export payments can be matched to your shipping bills. Your bank and customs broker will tell you which ports need it.
• An RCMC (Registration-cum-Membership Certificate) from the relevant export promotion council or commodity board. FTP paragraph 2.57 generally requires one when you apply for an authorisation or any other FTP benefit.
• GST registration and an LUT if you want to export without paying IGST and then claiming it back.

Our guide Zero to Export in 30 Days puts these steps in order. When you are ready to look for customers, our buyer-leads page explains how we help exporters reach verified buyers.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Name mismatch between PAN and bank account. Extra spaces or a different spelling stop the form. Fix the spacing, and upload a bank document that shows the entity's name.
• Address proof in someone else's name without an NOC. Add the owner's no-objection letter in the same PDF.
• Using the number pad for phone and PIN code. DGFT's FAQ says the form can reject these. Use the top-row number keys.
• Missing the April–June update. This is the most common reason an IEC is de-activated.
• Paying twice. If a corporate net-banking payment shows "Booked", wait for your bank's approver. DGFT says the payment reflects about 24 hours after approval.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an IEC cost?

The application fee is ₹500, as set in Appendix 2K of the Foreign Trade Policy. You pay it online through Bharatkosh while applying. Watch out for websites that charge extra "registration" fees. You can apply directly at dgft.gov.in.

How long does it take to get an IEC?

DGFT says the IEC is issued immediately after you successfully submit the application, and it reflects on ICEGATE in real time. Bank validation happens in the background the next day.

Is the IEC the same as PAN?

Yes, the IEC number is the same as the entity's PAN. But you still have to apply to DGFT to get it issued and active.

Do I need an IEC to export services?

Only if you want to claim benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy. FTP paragraph 2.05(a) says an IEC is necessary for service or technology exporters on the date of rendering services if they want those benefits.

Does an IEC need renewal?

No, it has permanent validity. But you must update or confirm the details online every year between April and June. If you don't, the IEC is de-activated until you update it.

Educational information only, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change: check the current FTP, Handbook of Procedures and DGFT notices before you apply.

Want short updates like this every week? Join The India Trade Brief newsletter, or use the sign-up box below.

Educational information only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Always verify current rules on DGFT, ICEGATE and RBI portals before acting.