Import Export Code (IEC) in India: Registration, Fees & Renewal (2026 Guide)
Any business that wants to import or export goods or services out of India needs an Import Export Code before the first shipment moves. This guide covers who needs an IEC, the documents required, the DGFT filing process, government fees, the annual update rule introduced in 2021, and how KanoonPe gets your IEC issued with a flat all-inclusive quote.
Quick summary
- What it is: A 10-digit business identification number, now the same as your PAN, that authorises import/export activity.
- Governed by: the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992, administered by DGFT.
- Mandatory if: you import or export goods or services commercially - with limited exemptions for personal use.
- KanoonPe price: Flat, all-inclusive quote on a free callback · Timeline: typically 1–3 working days.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Governing law | Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 |
| Authority / portal | Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) - dgft.gov.in |
| Identifier issued | 10-digit IEC (same as PAN) |
| Government fee | ₹500 |
| Timeline | 1–3 working days (fully online) |
| KanoonPe price | Flat, all-inclusive quote - request a free callback |
| Validity | No expiry, but annual electronic confirmation (April–June) is mandatory |
What is an Import Export Code (IEC)?
An Import Export Code (IEC) is a 10-digit registration number issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade that a business must hold to import or export goods or services commercially from India. Since PAN-based reforms, the IEC is identical to the applicant's PAN, making it easy to link with GST and income tax records.
Without an active IEC, customs will not clear your shipment and banks will not process cross-border trade remittances. The code is a one-time registration - it doesn't need periodic renewal in the traditional sense - but it does require an annual online confirmation to stay active, a rule introduced in 2021 to keep the DGFT database current and weed out dormant codes.
IEC applies to proprietorships, partnerships, LLPs, companies, and even individuals operating as sole proprietors, as long as they intend to trade across India's borders.
Who needs an IEC?
- Any business or individual importing goods into India for commercial resale or manufacturing input.
- Exporters of goods or services seeking to bill overseas clients and receive foreign remittances.
- E-commerce sellers shipping products internationally through marketplaces.
- Service exporters (IT, consulting, design) who need IEC to claim benefits under FTP schemes, even though invoicing itself doesn't always require it.
- Businesses applying for export incentive schemes such as RoDTEP or seeking to open a forex/EEFC account.
Exemptions: IEC is not required for personal imports/exports unrelated to trade, and for import/export by government departments, ministries, and certain notified charitable organisations.
Benefits of IEC registration
- Enables customs clearance - no import or export shipment can be processed without a valid IEC quoted on the bill of entry/shipping bill.
- Unlocks foreign remittances - banks require IEC to receive or send international trade payments.
- Access to export incentives - schemes like RoDTEP, MEIS-successor benefits, and duty drawback require an active IEC.
- Lifetime validity - a one-time registration with no renewal fee, only an annual confirmation.
- Builds credibility - an IEC signals a legitimate, registered import/export operation to overseas buyers and partners.
- Simple, PAN-linked process - since IEC now mirrors PAN, applications and record-keeping are simpler and faster.
Documents required for IEC registration
Identity and business proof
- PAN card of the business/proprietor
- Aadhaar card of the proprietor/authorised signatory
- Certificate of incorporation/partnership deed (for companies/LLPs/firms)
Address proof
- Business address proof - electricity bill, rent agreement, or property document
- NOC from the property owner, if premises are rented
Bank details
- Bank certificate or a cancelled cheque of the current account in the business's name
Other
- Digital photograph of the proprietor/authorised signatory
- Active mobile number and email ID for OTP-based verification
IEC registration process (step by step)
- Document check. We verify PAN, business constitution, and bank details for a clean first-time approval.
- Create a DGFT profile. Register on the DGFT portal using PAN, mobile, and email with OTP verification.
- File the online application. Complete the IEC application (ANF-2A) with business, director/partner, and bank details.
- Upload documents. Attach address proof, PAN, and the bank certificate/cancelled cheque as digital copies.
- Pay the government fee. A flat ₹500 fee is paid online via the DGFT payment gateway.
- Aadhaar/DSC verification. Complete Aadhaar OTP or digital signature-based authentication to sign the application.
- IEC generated. On successful processing, the DGFT system auto-generates your 10-digit IEC and emails the certificate - usually within 1–3 working days.
Ready to get started? Talk to a verified expert → - get a transparent, all-inclusive quote for your Import Export Code within one business hour.
IEC registration cost in India
The government fee for IEC registration is a flat ₹500, payable online at the time of application - there's no slab based on business size or trade volume.
KanoonPe offers a flat, all-inclusive quote - covering document review, DGFT profile creation, application filing, and follow-up until your IEC certificate is issued, so you avoid rejections from mismatched bank or address details.
Timeline
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Document collection & review | Same day |
| DGFT application filing | Same day |
| Government processing & IEC generation | 1–2 working days |
| Total | 1–3 working days |
Validity and annual update
An IEC issued today has no fixed expiry date - but since a 2021 DGFT reform, every IEC holder must electronically confirm or update their IEC details every year between April and June, even if nothing has changed. Skipping this confirmation causes the IEC to be automatically deactivated.
A deactivated IEC can be reactivated by completing the pending update, but until then, customs clearance and bank remittances tied to that code will be blocked - so the annual confirmation is not optional in practice.
Penalties and risks of not holding a valid IEC
- Customs will refuse clearance of any import or export shipment without a valid, active IEC quoted on the documentation.
- Banks will reject or delay inward/outward foreign remittances linked to trade without a matching IEC.
- A deactivated IEC (from missing the annual April–June update) halts ongoing trade until reactivated, risking shipment delays and demurrage costs.
- Operating cross-border trade without any IEC where required can attract scrutiny and penal action under the FT (D&R) Act, 1992.
IEC vs other trade registrations
| Registration | Purpose | Mandatory for |
|---|---|---|
| IEC | Authorises import/export activity itself | Every importer/exporter |
| GST registration | Tax on domestic and cross-border supply of goods/services | Businesses crossing GST turnover threshold |
| AD Code registration | Links your bank's authorised dealer code to shipments at a specific port | Exporters, filed separately with customs after IEC |
| RCMC | Registration-cum-Membership Certificate with an export promotion council for incentive schemes | Exporters claiming FTP benefits |
Why choose KanoonPe
- Transparent flat pricing - one all-inclusive number, no hidden DGFT add-ons.
- Filed-on-time or refund - every order ships with a written SLA.
- One accountable case owner - a single named manager tracks your IEC application end to end.
- Live status tracking - monitor your DGFT application in real time.
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