Scheme Information
| Sl No | Particulars | Meanings / Definitions / Description |
| 1 | IEC / e-IEC Definition | Importer Exporter Code / electronic Importer Exporter Code |
| 2 | What is IEC | An IEC is a 10-character alpha-numeric number allotted to a person that is mandatory for undertaking any export / import activities. |
| 3 | Importer Exporter Code | To maintain unique identity of an entity (Firm / Company / LLP etc.), consequent upon introduction / implementation of GST, IEC will be equal to PAN and will be separately issued by DGFT based on an application |
| 4 | Is IEC Mandatory | IEC is mandatory for import and / or exports |
| 5 | IEC Exemption | Exempt categories and corresponding permanent IEC numbers are given in Para 2.07 of Handbook of Procedures |
| 6 | Mode of Application | Online |
| 7 | Govt Fees | 'Application for IEC - ₹ 500/- |
| 'Annual updatioon of IEC during the period April to June - Nil | ||
| 8 | One PAN-One IEC | Only one IEC shall be issued against a single PAN. Multiple IECs against a single PAN stands deactivated suo-motu after 31-03-2015. |
| 9 | Surrender of IEC | If an IEC holder does not wish to operate allotted IEC, he may surrender the receipt, the issuing authority shall immediately cancel the IEC and electronically transmit it to DGFT and Customs authorities. |
Validity of IEC
An IEC allotted to an applicant shall have permanent validity unless cancelled by the competent authority. The IEC will cover all branches / divisions / units / factories of the applicant.
IEC - Mandatory to whom
| For Goods exports | No export or import shall be made by any person without obtaining an IEC number unless specifically exempted |
| For Services exports | IEC required only when the service provider is taking benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy.specifically exempted |
IEC - Exemption Categories
IEC is compulsory for import and / or exports. However, The following categories of importers or exporters are exempted from obtaining IEC
| Sl No | Categories Exempted from obtaining IEC |
| 1 | Importers covered by clause 3(1) [except sub-clauses (e) and (l)] and exporters covered by clause 3(2) [except sub-clauses (i) and (k)] of Foreign Trade (Exemption from application of Rules in certain cases) Order, 1993. |
| 2 | Ministries / Departments of Central or State Government |
| 3 | Persons importing or exporting goods for personal use not connected with trade or manufacture or agriculture. |
| 4 | Persons importing / exporting goods from / to Nepal; Bhutan; Myanmar (through Indo-Myanmar border areas); provided that the CIF value of single consignment does not exceed Indian Rs. 25,000/-; and Persons importing/exporting goods from / to China (through Gunji, Namgaya Shipkila and Nathula ports), export of goods through Gunji and Namgaya Shipkila, CIF value of single consignment does not exceed Indian Rs.1,00,000/-; anor import / export of goods through Nathula, CIF value of single consignment does not exceed Rs.2,00,000/-. |
How to Apply
| 1 | Login to DGFT website via link https://dgft.gov.in/ |
| 2 | Proceed with registration process by clicking on Login > Register > Register as “Importer/Exporter” |
| 3 | After registration, Go to My Dashboard → Importer Exporter Code (IEC) → Apply for IEC |
Technical Requirement
| 1 | Valid Digital Signature Token |
| 2 | Valid PAN |
| 3 | Valid Mobile Number and Email ID |
| 4 | Valid Address Details of Branch Office |
| 5 | Valid Bank Account in the name of IEC Holder |
| 6 | Valid Aadhar Card matching the details with PAN Card |
Documents Required
| 1 | Proof of establishment / incorporation / registration |
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| 2 | Proof of Address can be any one of the following documents: |
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| 3 | Proof of Firm’s Bank Account |
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Post Registration Compliance
| Sl No | Particulars | Inputs |
| 1 | Annual Compliance | DGFT has introduced IEC Updation on yearly basis |
Consequences
| An IEC shall be de-activated, if not updated within the prescribed time |
Benefits of IEC Updation
| 1 | To receive email on any regulatory updates issued by DGFT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry |
| 2 | To bring awareness about introduction of New Schemes / policies and procedural aspects |
FAQ’s
Why Kireeti Consultants
| 1 | Affordable Cost |
| 2 | Face-Less Operations / Paper-Less Office |
| 3 | Regular Follow up, Quick Response and Better Service Quality |
| 4 | Error Free Transaction |
| 5 | Social Media Presence |
EXIM (Import & Export) (DGFT / Customs / GST) Consultant for Import Export Related Matters
EXIM (Import & Export) Audit
EXIM (Import & Export) Awareness
EXIM (Import & Export) Orientation Programmes Virtual (Online) / Class Room Sessions
EXIM (Import & Export) (DGFT / Customs / GST) Consultant
EXIM (Import & Export) Consultation
EXIM (Import & Export) Retainership
- An IEC is a 10-character alpha-numeric number allotted to a person that is mandatory for undertaking any export/import activities. With a view to maintain the unique identity of an entity (firm/company/LLP etc.), consequent upon introduction/implementation of GST, IEC will be equal to PAN and will be separately issued by DGFT based on an application.
- Application for obtaining IEC may be filed online in ANF 2A with applicable fees and submitted with digital signature.
- When an e-IEC is approved by the competent authority, applicant is informed through e-mail that a computer generated e-IEC is available on the DGFT website. By clicking on “Application Status” after having filled and submitted the requisite details in “Online IEC Application” webpage, applicant can view and print his e-IEC.
- Theapplicantmaysubmitonlineapplicationwiththefollowingdetails/documents (scanned copies to be submitted/ uploaded) along with the IEC application:
- Digital photograph of the signatory applicant;
- Copy of the PAN card of the business entity in whose name Import/Export would be done (Applicant individual in case of Proprietorship firms);
- Cancelled cheque bearing entity’s pre-printed name or Bank certificateinprescribedformatANF-2A(I)
- For modification in IEC, applicants may submit online application through digital signature (Class-II or Class-III), by paying applicable fees and uploading requisite documents, corresponding to the changes sought.
- No Export/Import without IEC:
- No export or import shall be made by any person without obtaining an IEC number unless specifically exempted.
- Exempt categories and corresponding permanent IEC numbers are given in Para 2.07 of Handbook of Procedures.
IEC Number Exempted Categories
- IEC is compulsory for import and/or exports. However, the following categories of importers or exporters are exempted from obtaining IEC.
| Sl.No. | Categories Exempted from obtaining IEC |
| (i) | Importers covered by clause 3(1) [except sub-clauses (e) and (l)] and exporters covered by clause 3(2) [except sub-clauses (i) and (k)] of Foreign Trade (Exemption from application of Rules in certain cases) Order, 1993. |
| (ii) | Ministries/Departments of Central or State Government. |
| (iii) | Persons importing or exporting goods for personal use not connected with trade or manufacture or agriculture. |
| (iv) | Persons importing/exporting goods from/to Nepal; Bhutan; Myanmar (through Indo-Myanmar border areas); and China (through Gunji, Namgaya Shipkila and Nathula ports), provided that the CIF value of single consignment of import/export of goods from/to Nepal; Bhutan and Myanmar (through Indo- Myanmar border areas) does not exceed Indian Rs. 25,000/-; and in the case of China,(a)for import/export of goods through Gunji and Namgaya Shipkila, CIF value of single consignment does not exceedIndianRs.1,00,000/-; and(b)for import/export of goods through Nathula, CIF value of single Consignment does not exceed Rs.2,00,000/-. |
Further, exemption from obtaining IEC shall not be applicable for export of Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipments and Technologies (SCOMET) as listed in Appendix - 3, Schedule 2 of ITC (HS) except in case of exports by category (ii) above.
- Following permanent IEC numbers shall be used by non – commercial PSUs and categories or importers/exporters mentioned against them for import/export purposes:
| Sr. No | Permanent IEC | Categories of Importer /Exporter |
| 1 | AMDCG0111E | All Ministries / Departments of Central Government and agencies wholly or partially owned by them. |
| 2 | ADSGA0129E | All Departments of any State Government and agencies wholly or partially owned by them. |
| 3 | DCUNO0137E | Diplomatic personnel, Counsellor officers in India and officials of UNO and its specialized agencies. |
| 4 | IABBR0145E | Indians returning from/going abroad and claiming benefit under Baggage Rules. |
| 5 | IIHIE0153E | Persons/Institutions/Hospitals importing or exporting goods for personal use, not connected with trade or manufacture or agriculture. |
| 6 | IIEGN0161E | Persons importing/exporting goods from/to Nepal |
| 7 | IIEGM0170E | Persons importing/exporting goods from/to Myanmar through Indo-Myanmar border areas |
| 8 | IFFIE0188E | Ford Foundation. |
| 9 | ATAEF1096E | Importers importing goods for display or use in fairs/ exhibitions or similar events under provisions of ATA carnet. This IEC number can also be used by importers importing for exhibitions/fairs as per Paragraph 2.63ofHandbook of Procedures |
| 10 | IDNBG1100E | Director, National Blood Group |
| 11 | ICIRN1126E | Individuals/Charitable Institution/Registered NGOs importing goods, which have been exempted from Customs duty under Notification issued by Ministry of Finance for bonafide use by victims affected by natural calamity. |
| 12 | IIEGC1134E | Persons importing/exporting permissible goods as notified from time to time, from /to China through Gunji, Namgaya Shipkila and Nathula ports, subject to value ceilings of single consignment as given in Paragraph 2.07 (iv)above. |
| 13 | NCIEE1169E | Non-commercial imports and exports by entities that have been authorized by Reserve Bank of India. |
Application for IEC
- Exporters/Importers shall file an online application in ANF 2A format for grant of e-IEC with digital signatures along with requisite documents and paying the applicable fee. The facility of filing online application for IEC is also available through – biz portal of DIPP.
- Deficiency in the application form has to be removed by re-logging onto the “Online IEC application” on DGFT website and resubmitting the form along with the requisite documents.
IEC Format
An IEC will be issued in prescribed format (ANF 2(A) (II)). A copy of such IEC shall be endorsed to concerned banker (as per details given in ANF 2A). Such endorsement should ordinarily be done using emails.
Validity of IEC
An IEC allotted to an applicant shall have permanent validity unless cancelled by the competent authority. The IEC will cover all branches/divisions/units/factories of the applicant.
Validity of IEC for EOUs/SEZs
An IEC will remain valid irrespective of a firm’s status as a DTA unit or an EOU or a SEZ/EHTP/STP/BTP unit and the procedure to be followed in case a firm/unit is de-bonded and converted to DTA is as under:
- A unit which is an EOU or in SEZ/EHTP/STP/BTP after de-bonding will not surrender the IEC obtained from its jurisdictional DC, SEZ.
- The jurisdictional DC, SEZ will send the original IEC file to concerned RA of DGFT after de-bonding.
- RA becomes the custodian of such file and will allow de-bonded unit to make necessary modification in IEC.
- The de-bonded unit to be eligible for benefits from the RA as per FTP.
One PAN-One IEC
Only one IEC shall be issued against a single PAN. Multiple IECs against a single PAN stands deactivated suo-motu after 31.03.2015.
Surrender of IEC
If an IEC holder does not wish to operate allotted IEC, he may surrender the same to the issuing authority. On receipt, the issuing authority shall immediately cancel the IEC and electronically transmit it to DGFT and Customs authorities.
Modification of IEC
- Modifications in e-IEC’s/ IEC’s can be done online only. Applicants seeking modification in their IEC’s may log on to dgft.nic.in and click on Importer Exporter Code (IEC) under Quick Links and select “Modify your IEC” to amend their e-IEC’s and IEC’s in physical format by paying requisite fees and submitting requisite documents to the concerned jurisdictional RA, from where IEC was originally issued. List of RAs, along with their jurisdiction is given in Appendix 1A.
- An application for modification may be made for change in details like name, address, constitution, ownership in Proprietorship firms, change in nature of the firm e.g. from proprietorship to partnership etc.
- RAs shall consider applications seeking modification in IEC, involving change in PAN, by ensuring that liabilities of the previous applicant/applicant firm are transferred to the new applicant/applicant firm whose PAN will be reflecting in the modified IEC. RAs must also share the modified IEC, with the changed PAN incorporated in it, with all concerned authorities.
- RAs shall also take cognizance of the applications digitally signed by power of attorney holders/authorized signatories.
Modifications/ Change in Branch Office/ Head Office/ Registered Office Address in IEC involving a shift in jurisdictional RA
When an IEC holder seeks modification/ Change of Branch Office/ Head Office/Registered Office address in its IEC and which involves a shift in its jurisdictional RA, a request to that effect will have to be made to RA concerned under whose jurisdiction the applicant exists.
On the basis of this request, the RA (Custodian of the IEC File till now) will process such requests and amend IEC, if found appropriate, under intimation to the RA under whose jurisdiction the applicant wants transfer. The new RA shall allow the person in its new address to carry out necessary functions and also apply for eligible benefits as per FTP.