How Can You Get an Import Export Code in India?
What Is an Import Export Code (IEC)?
Think of the IEC as your business’s passport for international trade. Just as an individual cannot travel abroad without a valid passport, no Indian entity — whether a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLP, or private limited company — can legally ship goods in or out of India without an active Import Export Code.
The IEC is issued permanently to the PAN of the entity. It does not expire on its own, but it must be updated (renewed digitally) every year between April 1 and June 30 — failure to update results in deactivation. The PAN and the IEC are linked one-to-one: one PAN gets one IEC, no exceptions.
KEY AUTHORITYIEC is issued exclusively by the DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade), operating under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The legal basis is the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992. |
Why Is Import Export Code Important for Indian Businesses?
As a CA who handles cross-border GST, foreign remittances, and trade compliance for export-oriented clients, I see three recurring problems in the absence of an IEC:
1. Customs Clearance Blockage
Indian Customs, operating under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), mandates IEC at the time of filing a Bill of Entry (for imports) or a Shipping Bill (for exports). Without IEC, the shipment sits in a Customs Examination Area — and demurrage charges at major ports like JNPT, Chennai, or Mundra.
2. Foreign Remittance Blockage
Under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), Authorised Dealer (AD) banks must verify the importer or exporter’s IEC before processing foreign currency transactions above USD 500. A missing or deactivated IEC means the bank suspends the payment, which can result in contractual breaches with overseas buyers or suppliers.
3. Export Incentive Ineligibility
Government export-promotion schemes — including RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products), advance authorisations, and EPCG licences — are processed against the applicant’s IEC number. Without it, you cannot file claims or receive duty drawbacks.
Who Needs an Import Export Code in India?
- Copy of PAN Card
- Canceled cheque
- Passport size photograph
- Copy of Aadhaar Card.
- Power Bill
- Rental Agreement/ NOC
For Partnerships:
- Copy of firm PAN Card
- Copy of Partnership deed, firm Certificate
- Partners passport size photo
- Partners Pan, aadhar
- Power bill
- Rental agreement
- Canceled cheque
For Companies and Proprietorships:
- Copy of Company PAN Card
- AOA and MOA
- Directors Pan, aadhar, Photo
- Canceled cheque
- Electricity Bill
- Rental agreement
