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IEC Certificate Registration and Renewal

What is IEC?

An Importer -Exporter Code (IEC) is a key business identification number which mandatory for export from India or Import to India. No export or import shall be made by any person without obtaining an IEC unless specifically exempted. For services exports however, IEC shall be not be necessary except when the service provider is taking benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy.

Consequent upon introduction of GST, IEC being issued is the same as the PAN of the firm. However, the IEC will still be separately issued by DGFT based on an application. The nature of the firm obtaining an IEC may be any of the follows- Proprietorship, Partnership, LLP, Limited Company, Trust, HUF, Society.

Pre-Requisites for Applying for IEC

IEC may be applied on behalf of a firm which may be a Proprietorship, Partnership, LLP, Limited Company, Trust, HUF, Society. Firm must have a PAN, bank account in the name of the firm and a valid address before applying. Address may be physically verified by the DGFT on issuance of the IEC. Please keep your PAN, bank details and firm details ready before applying.

How to Apply for IEC Certificate?

Steps involved in IEC (Import/Export Code) registration

  • Visit the DGFT website.
  • Click on the ‘Services’ tab on the homepage.
  • Select the ‘IEC Profile Management’ option from the drop-down list.
  • A new page will open. Click on the ‘Apply for IEC’ option on the page.
  • Click on the ‘Register’ option. Enter the required details and click on the ‘Sent OTP’ button.
  • Enter the OTP and click on the ‘Register’ button.
  • Upon successful validation of the OTP, you will receive a notification containing the temporary password which you can change after logging into the DGFT website.
  • After registering on the DGFT website, login to the website by entering the user name and password.
  • Click on the ‘Apply for IEC’ option on the DGFT website dashboard.
  • Click on the ‘Start Fresh Application’ button.
  • Enter the general information, details of proprietor/partner/director/Karta/managing trustee, bank information, other details, attach Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) and make the payment.
  • After successful payment, it will be redirected to the DGFT website. The receipt will be displayed. Download the receipt for future reference.
  • The IEC Certificate will be sent in the email. It can be downloaded after logging in to the DGFT website and clicking the ‘Print IEC’ option under the ‘IEC Profile Management'.

Nature of the Firm obtaining an IEC

The nature of the Firm obtaining an IEC may be any of the follows

  • Proprietorship Firm
  • Partnership Firm
  • Limited Liability Partnership
  • Limited Company
  • Trust
  • Hindu Undivided Family (HUF)
  • Society

Documents required for IEC Code Registration

The list of scanned documents required for IEC Registration is listed as follows

  • Proof of establishment/incorporation/registration: The following type of Firm needs to submit the establishment/incorporation/registration certificate.
  • Partnership
  • Registered Society
  • Trust
  • HUF
  • Other
  • Proof of Address: Proof of Address can be any one of the following documents.
  • Sale Deed
  • Rent agreement
  • Lease deed
  • Electricity bill
  • Telephone landline bill
  • Mobile, post-paid bill
  • MoU
  • Partnership deed
  • Other acceptable documents (for proprietorship only).
  • Aadhar card
  • Passport
  • Voter Id

Note : In case the address proof is not in the Name of the applicant firm, a no objection certificate (NOC) by the firm premises owner in favor of the Firm, along with the address proof, is to be submitted as a single PDF document.

  • Proof of Firm’s Bank Account
  • Canceled Cheque
  • User should have an active DSC or Aadhaar of the Firm’s member for submission.
  • Active Firm’s Bank accounts for entering its details in the Application and making online payment of the application fee.

Situations where IEC is Required

  • When an importer has to clear his shipments from the customs then it’s needed by the customs authorities.
  • When an importer sends money abroad through banks then it’s needed by the bank.
  • When an exporter has to send his shipments then it’s needed by the customs port.
  • When an exporter receives money in foreign currency directly into his bank account then it’s required by the bank.
Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. An Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) is mandatory for import to India or export from India. It is a significant business identification number for an import/export business. A person/entity cannot export or import without obtaining an IEC unless specifically exempted. However, IEC is not necessary for services exports, except when the service provider is taking benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy.

Once the online application is submitted by paying the appropriate fees and requisite documents, IEC will be auto-generated. The DGFT will send the IEC Certificate to an applicant through the e-mail.

Yes, individuals acting as proprietors of a business can obtain IEC registration. Individuals can use either the name or the name of their company to apply for IEC registration.

You can take print out of your IEC certificate by the below process:
  • Visit the DGFT website.
  • Click on the ‘Services’ tab on the homepage.
  • Select the ‘IEC Profile Management’ option from the drop-down list.
  • A new page will open. Click on the ‘Print IEC’ option on the page.
  • Verify your details and click on the ‘Print IEC’ button.

IE Code is not a mandatory registration, only importers and exporters of goods or services must have IE Code. Therefore, there is no penalty for not having IE Code; however, import/export will not be possible without an IE Code.

No. Returns need NOT be filed for IE Code.

IE Code is valid for the lifetime of the entity and renewal is also not necessary.

In February 2021, the DGFT amended the importer exporter regulations by making iec code renewal mandatory for all IEC Number holders. IEC Number is a business identification number allotted to all importers and exporters in India. If you do not have an IEC number, you cannot trade outside of India. Before 2021, an iec code issued once remained valid for the entire lifetime, so it was easier to manage import export business in India. This Article focuses on the reasons why iec code renewal was introduced and how one can get an iec update. Lastly, the consequences of non – renewal of iec code are also discussed.


Why is IEC update important?

Before 2021, your iec was valid for the entire span of your business once you completed the iec application process. Hence, it was not mandatory to get iec updated each year. However, this led to a lot of issues because the details of iec certificate remained old, when any changes to the firm were made. IEC code renewal is therefore important for the following reasons.

  • When you get an iec update, you also update all the information, such as addresses, phone numbers etc. of the firm as well as all owners/shareholders. This helps the DGFT (Director General of Foreign Trade) in maintaining their database.
  • Failure to update iec leads to deactivation of the IEC certificate. All individuals wanting to start an import export business in India are aware that no trade of goods outside Indian territory is allowed without a valid iec.

Also Read: Import Export Code Registration: Process, fees, status of IEC in India

How to renew IEC Code?

IEC update is a very easy process. All you need to do is follow the steps mentioned below

  • 01
    Visit the portal

    Go to the DGFT portal by clicking here.

  • 02
    Login to your account

    This is a mandatory step, if you do not have an account, you need to register as a new user before you get access to iec renewal.

  • 03
    IEC update page

    Go to the “IEC Portfolio Management” from drop-down in “registrations” and select “update iec” option from the new page.

  • 04
    Link IEC

    Since the entire IEC application online process is made accessible by the DGFT, all people who acquired their IEC certificate offline, need to link existing iec to the new portal. To update iec, first you have to link iec, if not done yet. You can link your iec by entering the iec number in the dialog box and by verifying it with ‘link iec OTP’.

  • 05
    Update/Modify IEC

    Once you successfully link your iec to the DGFT portal, you can update/modify your iec from choosing the form. Once you click on ‘update iec’, a form with all existing details of the IEC certificate will appear. You can choose the details in IEC that need modification and then get iec update accordingly.

  • 06
    Verification for IEC renewal

    Once you update iec details for iec renewal, you need to complete the process by verifying iec certificate through Digital signature certificate or Aadhar. Once you submit the iec update form, your iec renewal will be complete.

Modification in IEC details

While IEC renewal yearly is mandatory, you get the chance to update all the information that you have submitted to the DGFT portal. You can modify the following information while updating iec certificate:

  • Change in the registered office address of firm (principal place of business).
  • Modification/addition/deletion of branch office address.
  • Change in mobile number or email ID
  • Modifications in the Partners/Directors details.
  • Changes to the Nature of the Business.
  • Any other modification to the bank details as submitted.

Also Read: Documents required for IEC Code Application

List of Documents for Renewal of IEC

  • Incorporation Documents
  • Address Proof of the Company/Firm
  • Cancelled Cheque
  • Aadhar of Director/Partner/Owner
  • Digital Signature

Consequences of non-renewal of IEC number?

As we know, it is mandatory to update iec code between April to June each year for the financial year. The last day to apply for iec update is 30th June. Hence, if you want to carry on your import export business without any hassles the best solution is to get iec update in a timely manner. The consequence of non-renewal of IEC code is deactivation of the iec certificate. Once your iec deactivates, you will need to get iec update to reactivate your iec number again.

However, when your iec deactivates, you cannot conduct any import or export trade of any goods, unless your business falls under exemptions of IEC requirements. Hence, it is very important for traders to get timely iec update!