How to Get an IEC (Import Export Code) — Step by Step Guide

Every business in India that wants to import or export goods must have an Import Export Code. There are no exceptions — whether you are shipping a single container of spices to Dubai or importing machine parts from China, you need an IEC. Without it, Indian Customs will not allow your goods to leave or enter the country, and banks will not process your foreign exchange transactions.

The good news is that getting an IEC is one of the simplest government registrations in India. It is a one-time, lifetime registration that costs just Rs 500. There is no need for renewal, no annual filing, and no compliance burden. Most applications are approved within 1-3 working days.

This guide covers the entire process — who needs an IEC, what documents you need, how to apply on the DGFT portal, what to do after you receive it, and the mistakes that trip up first-time applicants.

What Is an IEC and Why Do You Need One?

The Import Export Code is a 10-digit alphanumeric code issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Your IEC is linked to your PAN card, so it is unique to your business entity.

An IEC is mandatory for:

• Clearing goods through Indian Customs (both import and export)
• Sending or receiving foreign currency payments through banks
• Availing export incentives and benefits under government schemes like RoDTEP, MEIS, and duty drawback
• Registering with export promotion councils like APEDA, Spices Board, or FIEO

There are only two categories exempt from needing an IEC: individuals importing or exporting goods for personal use (not commercial), and some government departments and ministries notified by DGFT. For every MSME owner reading this, you need an IEC — no exceptions.

Who Can Apply for an IEC?

Any Indian business entity can apply, including:

• Sole proprietorship firms — most common for first-time MSME exporters
• Partnership firms — registered and unregistered
• LLPs (Limited Liability Partnerships)
• Private Limited Companies
• Public Limited Companies
• Hindu Undivided Families (HUF)
• Trusts and societies (for non-commercial imports)

You do not need to have an existing business to apply. Many first-time exporters register a sole proprietorship, obtain an IEC, and then make their first export shipment — all within the same month.

Documents Required for IEC Application

The documentation is straightforward. Here is the complete list:

Document	Details
PAN Card	PAN of the firm/company (not personal PAN if you have a company PAN). For sole proprietors, personal PAN is used.
Aadhaar Card	Of the applicant/signatory
Bank Account	A cancelled cheque or bank certificate with the firm's name, account number, and IFSC code. Account must be a current account in the firm's name (for companies/partnerships). Sole proprietors can use savings accounts.
Address Proof	Electricity bill, rent agreement, or ownership document for the registered office address
Photograph	Passport-size photo of the applicant/signatory
Digital Signature (DSC)	Class 2 or Class 3 DSC of the authorised signatory. If you don't have a DSC, you can use Aadhaar-based e-sign instead.

Important notes on documents:

• All documents must be self-attested
• The name on PAN, bank account, and Aadhaar must match exactly. Even minor spelling differences cause rejections.
• For companies and LLPs, you will also need the Certificate of Incorporation and a board resolution authorising the signatory

Step-by-Step Application Process on the DGFT Portal

Step 1: Create a DGFT Account

Visit dgft.gov.in and click on "Register" to create an account. You will need your PAN card, email address, and mobile number. DGFT will send OTPs to verify both.

Step 2: Log in and Navigate to IEC Application

Once logged in, go to Services → IEC → Apply for IEC. The system will auto-populate some fields from your PAN database.

Step 3: Fill in the Application Form (ANF 2A)

The online form has several sections:

Applicant Details:

• Firm name, constitution (proprietorship, company, etc.)
• PAN number (auto-verified)
• GSTIN (optional but recommended)
• Registered office address

Bank Details:

• Bank name, branch, IFSC code
• Current account number
• Upload cancelled cheque or bank certificate

Authorised Signatory:

• Name, designation, Aadhaar number
• Upload photograph and Aadhaar card

Nature of Business:

• Select "Merchant Exporter," "Manufacturer Exporter," or both
• Mention the broad category of goods you plan to trade (you can change this later)

Step 4: Upload Documents

Upload scanned copies of all documents listed above. Files should be in PDF or JPEG format, under 5 MB each. Make sure documents are clear and legible — blurry scans are a common reason for application queries.

Step 5: Pay the Fee

The application fee is Rs 500, payable online through net banking, credit/debit card, or UPI. Payment is processed through the DGFT payment gateway.

Step 6: Sign and Submit

Sign the application using either:

• Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) — attach your Class 2/3 DSC
• Aadhaar e-Sign — authenticate using Aadhaar OTP

After submission, you will receive an application reference number. Track the status under Services → IEC → Track IEC Application.

Step 7: Receive Your IEC

If all documents are in order, your IEC is typically issued within 1-3 working days. In many cases, it is issued on the same day. You will receive an email notification, and the IEC will be available for download from the DGFT portal.

The IEC certificate includes your 10-digit IEC number, firm name, address, and the date of issue. Print a copy and keep it handy — you will need it for every export shipment.

After Getting Your IEC — What Next?

Getting your IEC is just the starting point. Here is what you need to do next to actually start exporting:

Register with an Export Promotion Council (EPC)

Every exporter must register with the relevant EPC to get a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC). The RCMC is mandatory for claiming export incentives. Key EPCs include:

• APEDA — for agricultural and processed food products (rice, spices, fruits, meat)
• Spices Board — specifically for spice exports
• FIEO (Federation of Indian Export Organisations) — for general merchandise
• Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) — for garments and textiles
• Pharmexcil — for pharmaceutical exports
• EEPC India — for engineering goods

Open an Authorised Dealer (AD) Bank Account

Your bank must be authorised to handle foreign exchange transactions under RBI guidelines. Most major banks (SBI, HDFC, ICICI, Axis) are authorised dealers. Inform your bank that you will be conducting export transactions so they can set up the necessary forex processes.

Register on ICEGATE

ICEGATE is the Indian Customs Electronic Gateway. You need an ICEGATE login to file shipping bills, bills of entry, and other customs documents electronically. Registration is free and requires your IEC number.

Get Your GSTIN Updated

If you already have a GST registration, make sure your GSTIN profile reflects your IEC number and export business activity. Exports are zero-rated under GST, but you need proper documentation to claim input tax credit refunds.

Explore XIMPEX Tools

Use the HS Code Finder to identify the correct HS code for your products — this determines duty rates and regulatory requirements. The Market Finder helps you identify the best destination countries for your product based on trade volumes, growth rates, and competition levels.

Common Mistakes That Delay IEC Applications

After years of working with first-time exporters, these are the most frequent errors we see:

PAN name mismatch. The name on your PAN card must exactly match the name on your bank account and Aadhaar. If your PAN says "Rajesh Kumar Trading" but your bank account says "Rajesh Kumar Traders," your application will be returned. Fix the mismatch before applying.

Using personal PAN for a company. If you have a registered company (Pvt Ltd, LLP, or partnership), you must use the company's PAN, not your personal PAN. A sole proprietorship is the only case where personal PAN is used.

Blurry or incomplete document uploads. DGFT officers review your documents manually. If they cannot read the cancelled cheque or the address proof is cut off, they will raise a query, adding 5-7 days to the process.

Not having a current account. Companies and partnership firms must use a current account in the firm's name. A savings account in the proprietor's personal name will not be accepted (except for sole proprietorships).

Applying without Aadhaar-PAN linkage. Your Aadhaar must be linked to your PAN. If they are not linked, the e-Sign process will fail. Check your linkage status on the Income Tax portal before applying.

IEC Modification and Surrender

Your IEC does not expire, but you must keep the details current.

When to modify your IEC:

• Change of business address
• Addition or deletion of directors/partners
• Change of bank account
• Change of firm name or constitution
• Addition of new branches

Modification is done online through the DGFT portal under Services → IEC → Modify IEC. There is no fee for modification.

Annual IEC update: DGFT requires all IEC holders to update their IEC details between April and June every year, even if nothing has changed. This is done under Services → IEC → Update IEC. Failure to update for two consecutive years can result in IEC deactivation.

Surrendering your IEC: If you no longer wish to conduct import/export business, you can surrender your IEC through the DGFT portal. This is a permanent action — you would need to apply fresh if you want to trade again.

How Long Does It Take? Realistic Timelines

Step	Timeline
Collect documents	1-2 days (if you already have a current account and PAN)
Create DGFT account	15 minutes
Fill application and upload docs	30-45 minutes
DGFT processing	1-3 working days
Total (smooth application)	2-5 working days
If query is raised	Add 5-10 working days

The fastest we have seen an IEC issued is the same day of application. The slowest (with multiple queries) can take 3-4 weeks. The key to fast processing is clean, complete documentation on the first attempt.

Cost Breakdown

Item	Cost
IEC application fee	Rs 500
Digital Signature Certificate (if needed)	Rs 500 - 1,500
RCMC registration (EPC membership)	Rs 2,500 - 10,000 (varies by council)
ICEGATE registration	Free
Bank account setup for forex	Free (but check minimum balance requirements)
Total to start exporting	Rs 3,500 - 12,000

The IEC itself costs just Rs 500 — the other costs are for related registrations you will need anyway. Compare this to the potential of India's $293 billion export market, and the investment is negligible.

Key Takeaways

• The IEC is a mandatory, one-time, lifetime registration — it does not expire or need renewal
• Application fee is just Rs 500, processed online through the DGFT portal at dgft.gov.in
• You need PAN, Aadhaar, a bank account (current for companies, savings OK for sole proprietors), and address proof
• Most applications are approved in 1-3 working days if documents are clean
• After getting IEC, register with the relevant Export Promotion Council (APEDA, Spices Board, FIEO, etc.) for your RCMC
• Register on ICEGATE for electronic customs filing
• Update your IEC annually between April-June on the DGFT portal to avoid deactivation

Start Your Export Journey

The IEC is your ticket into international trade. Once you have it, the entire machinery of India's export ecosystem opens up to you — customs clearance, bank forex processing, government incentives, and access to buyers in 200+ countries.

Here's what to do right now:

1. Check your documents — make sure your PAN, Aadhaar, and bank account names match
2. Visit dgft.gov.in and create your account
3. Apply for IEC — it takes under an hour if your documents are ready
4. While you wait for approval, use the HS Code Finder to classify your products and the Market Finder to identify your best export destinations
5. Browse country-specific guides for USA, UAE, Saudi Arabia, or UK to understand market requirements

India exported $293 billion worth of goods in 2024-25. Your share of that starts with a Rs 500 application.