Expand your business globally. Mandatory 10-digit code for Import/Export issued by DGFT. Lifetime validity with no renewal fees.
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An Import-Export Code (IEC) is a key business identification number which is compulsory for exports from India or Imports to India. It is a unique 10-digit code assigned to an individual or company by the DGFT (Director General of Foreign Trade), Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Government of India.
Unless specifically exempted, no person can make any import or export without obtaining an IEC. Unlike other government licenses, the IEC generally does not need to be renewed, but its details must be updated annually on the DGFT portal to keep the code active.
Select your business type to see specific requirements.
As per DGFT Notification No. 58/2015-2020, all IEC holders must ensure that details in their IEC is updated electronically every year during the April to June period.
While most importers and exporters require an IEC, the following categories are exempted:
Persons importing or exporting goods for personal use not connected with trade or manufacture or agriculture.
Ministries/Departments of Central or State Government.
Persons importing/exporting goods from/to Nepal, Myanmar through Indo-Myanmar border areas and China (through Gunji, Namgaya Shipkila and Nathula ports) provided CIF value of a single consignment does not exceed ₹25,000.
Create profile on DGFT portal with valid email and mobile.
Prepare and upload scanned copies of required proofs.
Fill the online application form (ANF 2A) & pay fees.
DGFT verifies your details and documents electronically.
Get your e-IEC certificate generated instantly upon approval.
Standard Package
*GST extra
Standard Package
*Fees exclusive of GST.
Apply between Apr – June
*Mandatory annual update
While IEC is the primary requirement, it may not be sufficient for all types of exports. Depending on your product, you may need registration with various Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) or Commodity Boards.
Required for APEDA, Spices Board, Coffee Board, Tea Board, etc. to claim incentives.
Essential for custom port approval and foreign transactions at the bank level.
Eliminate compliance risks with automated DGFT & Customs monitoring.
Every year on July 1st, thousands of exporters realize their IEC is deactivated because they missed the June 30th update deadline.CloudDesk eliminates this. Our system syncs with the DGFT server API to monitor your "Last Updated" timestamp. We start automated reminders on April 1st and can auto-file your "No-Change" confirmation in seconds.
Customs (ICEGATE) and DGFT are two different systems. Often, an update on DGFT doesn't "push" to ICEGATE, causing a "PAN Not Found" error at the port. CloudDesk’s Technical Bridge verifies that your update has successfully transitioned to the Customs server before you ship your next container.
If you have multiple branches, keeping track of which address proof is linked to which branch in the DGFT records is a nightmare. CloudDesk organizes your IEC data by Branch Code, allowing you to update specific locations without messing up the primary registration.
Stop giving your master DGFT password to every junior accountant or external consultant. CloudDesk allows you to manage your compliance without sharing sensitive login credentials, protecting your business from unauthorized changes or data theft.
Yes, IEC is valid for a lifetime and does not require renewal. However, annual updation of details on the DGFT portal is mandatory between April and June every year.
Yes, individuals (Proprietors) can obtain an IEC code in their name or their firm's name. It is equally applicable to companies, LLPs, and partnerships.
Generally, the IEC code is generated within 1 to 3 working days after the successful submission of documents and fees. In many cases, it is issued instantly.
For companies and LLPs, a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is mandatory. For proprietorships, the application can often be validated using Aadhaar e-sign.
Yes, IEC is valid for a lifetime and does not require renewal. However, annual updation of details on the DGFT portal is mandatory between April and June every year.
Yes, individuals (Proprietors) can obtain an IEC code in their name or their firm's name. It is equally applicable to companies, LLPs, and partnerships.
Generally, the IEC code is generated within 1 to 3 working days after the successful submission of documents and fees. In many cases, it is issued instantly.
For companies and LLPs, a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) is mandatory. For proprietorships, the application can often be validated using Aadhaar e-sign.
Yes. The DGFT regulation states that even if there are no changes, the IEC holder must "confirm" that the details are correct on the portal every year between April and June. Think of it as a mandatory annual "Check-in."
Usually, the DGFT issues a public notice extending it slightly, but legally, deactivation begins on July 1st. Once deactivated, you cannot even generate a draft Shipping Bill.
This is a high-risk situation. CloudDesk assists in the "Email/Mobile Change" process, which involves validating the new signatory via a Class 3 DSC and updating the profile. We ensure you don't lose access to your digital trade identity.
Strictly No. One PAN, One IEC. If you have inadvertently obtained two, you must surrender one immediately. Holding dual IECs is a violation of the Foreign Trade Policy and can lead to your PAN being blacklisted.
Yes, but it requires a "Constitution Change" modification. You must update the PAN associated with the IEC. This is a complex process because it involves migrating your history and benefits to the new entity. CloudDesk handles the legal drafting for this transition.
In most cases, the bank's system (AD Bank) should automatically pick up the update via the EDPMS (Export Data Processing and Monitoring System). However, we recommend sending the updated IEC profile to your bank's Forex department to ensure there are no delays in realizing export proceeds.
This happens when the name on your PAN card (even a single dot or space) doesn't exactly match the name entered in the DGFT system. CloudDesk performs a Character-by-Character Audit to fix these discrepancies so your application gets approved instantly.