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Note: Government fees as applicable not included above.
Import Export Code Registration and Documents Required in India
Import Export Code Number (IEC) is a ten-digit number issued by the Director-General of Foreign Trade. As the name itself states, it is used for the import and export of goods. When we have consumers outside Indian Market or we want to target an international market, export is done of goods and vice versa when we want to import products into India for resale or subsequent manufacturing an import is done of such goods. Such, Import and export requires a Certificate called as “Import Export Code”.
It is a prerequisite for commencing an export and import business.
IEC code can be issued in the name of an Individual. However, for firms like partnerships, LLP, HUF or a company including Government undertaking, Public or Private Limited company, One Person Company, Registered Society or Trust. The application should be made in the name of such an entity.
What are the documents required for the IEC code?
The following documents are required for obtaining IEC Code.
- PAN Card belonging to the Individual, Partnership Firm or Company
- Individual Voter ID, Passport, or Aadhar card.
- Rent Agreement and Electricity Bill for attaching as Address proof of business.
- Bank Account Details- A canceled cheque where the individual, company, or firm name should be mentioned.
What are the acceptable address proofs for the IEC code application?
- Aadhar Card, Voter ID, and Passport (For Proprietorship)
- Electricity, Telephone and Landline Bill
- GST registration Certificate (GST Reg-06)
- Bank certificate as in ANF-2A
- Sale, Lease, and Rent deed
“In the case of address, the proof is not in the name of the owner, a consent letter (nonobjection certificate) can be attached to avoid mismatch in the single PDF document. There is not any separate place for attaching a nonobjection certificate”
“Name on PAN Card and Aadhar Card Should be same, in case name is different or even a slight difference, IEC code will not be issued, the application will not be completed”
Clarification on Bank Certificate or Pre-printed Cancelled Cheque
- Bank certificate or Pre Printed Called cheque to be uploaded not any other document.
- The cheque should have the printed name of the account holder. In the case of firms, it should be the name of firms as discussed above. However, in the case of the proprietor, the individual name can be accepted.
- A bank account can be a Saving or a Current Account.
Validity of Import Export Code
IE Code is valid for a lifetime. There is not any requirement for any renewal, return filling, or updation. Till the time business exists or the registration is surrendered or revoked it is valid.
Like in GST, where there is the mandatory filing of GST Returns (GSTR-1 and GST 3B). In the IEC code, there is not any requirement of any return filling whether monthly or annually.
How to obtain IEC Code registration certificate?
An application for IEC code is made in the Form ANF 2A, Only One IEC code can be issued for one PAN, any multiple obtained earlier on the same PAN shall be deactivated.
Import Export Code application is filed online, earlier it used to be an offline cumbersome process. But now the application can be filed directly on https://www.dgft.gov.in/CP/
The application is filed directly on the website of the Director-General of Foreign Trade. Once you open the website, click on “Apply for IEC” and thereafter application will continue.
In case you are a new user, click on register, and in the case, you are completing the old application, log in again using login credentials. Enter all in your basic details like Name, Email, Mobile, Pincode, District, State, City, and Captcha.
After filling in all the required information, your screen will be redirected to the form for IEC.
Issue of Import Export Code Certificate
Once the application is filed on the DGFT website and signed via Aadhar for Individuals or Using a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) along with the fees of Rs. 500. IEC code will be automatically generated. An intimation for it to download and print the certificate will be sent in the form of hyperlinks on registered m phone and email address.
An application for modification can be filed if a person wants any modification in name, address, constitution, ownership in proprietorship firms, or change in the nature of firms eg conversion of proprietorship to the partnership. Any change in the directors of a public company is not allowed.
Exemptions from Import and Export Code Registration
IEC is compulsory for import and exports, however, there are certain exemptions where the IEC code is not required.
- Ministries/ Departments of Central or State Government
- Import and Export for Personal use
- Persons importing and exporting goods to and fro from Nepal, Myanmar through Indo Mynamar border Areas and China through Gunji Namgaya Shipkila and Nathula ports, provided CIF value of single consignment does not exceed Rs. 25000. In the case of the Nathula portal, the limit is Rs. 10000.
Further, check out the series of Import Export Code exemption lists provided on the DGFT website.
