Import Export Code or IEC is a 10-digit code that a business or a person needs to import/export goods/services. This code is issued by DGFT (Director General of Foreign trade), Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Government of India. The validity of this code is for lifetime, that is, there is no need to renew it. This code is generated within 5-15 working days after the documents are submitted and all the corrections required are made.
This code has many names, like importer exported code, import export code, import export license, import export number, IE code, IE license etc. You can issue this code in either your name or under company’s name. Once issued, it is valid for all its division/units/factories/branches.
When is IEC code required?
- It is needed by the custom authorities to clear the shipments in the case of any imports.
- Also, it is needed by the bank to transfer the amount in the case of any imports made.
- Vis-à-vis if an exporter needs to send the shipments, then it is required.
- Or, if the exporter is supposed to receive money in foreign currency and it is transferred directly into his bank account.
Documents required for IEC Code
Different documents are required by different entities to get IEC code and these are given below.
| Sole Proprietorship | Partnership Firm | LLP | Trust | HUF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital photograph (3*3) | Digital photograph (3*3) of the managing partner | Digital photograph (3*3) of the designated partner/director of the company signing the application | Digital photograph (3*3) of the secretary/chief executive/signatory applicant | Digital photograph (3*3) of the Karta |
| Copy of pan card of the proprietor | Copy of partnership deed | Applicant’s copy of pan card | Registration certificate of society/copy of the trust deed | Copy of pan of Karta |
| Copy of passport/voter id/driving license/UID | Copy of passport/voter id UID/driving license/PAN of the managing partner signing the application | Copy of passport/voter id UID/driving license/PAN of the managing partner/director signing the application | Copy of passport/voter id UID/driving license/PAN of the managing trustee/chief executive signing the application | Copy of passport/voter id UID/driving license/PAN of Karta |
| If the business is self-owned, then sale-deed | Sale-deed, in the case of self-owned business | Sale-deed, in the case of self-owned business | Sale-deed, in the case of self-owned business | Sale-deed, in the case of self-owned business |
| If the business is rented, then rental/lease agreement | If the business is rented, then rental/lease agreement | If the business is rented, then rental/lease agreement | If the business is rented, then rental/lease agreement | If the business is rented, then rental/lease agreement |
| Bank certificate as per ANF 2A/ Cancelled cheque bearing blueprinted name of the applicant entity and A/c no. | Bank certificate as per ANF 2A/ Cancelled cheque bearing blueprinted name of the applicant entity and A/c no. | Bank certificate as per ANF 2A/ Cancelled cheque bearing blueprinted name of the applicant entity and A/c no. | Bank certificate as per ANF 2A/ Cancelled cheque bearing blueprinted name of the applicant entity and A/c no. |
One can file the FSSAI application directly with the government. The process is long and requires 60 days to get completed :
Step 1 : Application Preparation
In order to get code an application must be made in the Aayaat Niryaat Form 2A format to the DGFT in that region where the registered office of the company is established. Government has also arranged online filing facility for obtaining IEC CODE ONLINE.
Step 2: Application Processing
Details of the business and its proprietors, directors or partners, bank account details and a bank certificate are the basic requirements of ANF 2A. All the required documents for IEC need to be submitted with ANF 2A. Digital signature is required on the ANF2A form.
Step 3 : IEC fee payment
Once the application if complete, it should be filed with DGFT and an application fee need to be paid to the government. IEC department may send back your application for correction / change. You need to reply back to the DGFT in 15 days.
Step 4 : IE Code Issuance
Once the application is completely verified by the department, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade will allot an IE Code for your business. This IE code comes in both soft copy and hard copy. You receive the softcopy via email and can start the import export transaction with this.
Benefits of IEC Code
Business growth
• A business have an option for online international marketplaces like Amazon.com, Alibaba etc.
• IEC is mandatory to avail of growth opportunities via import/export.
Export subsidies
• Indian government follows a policy of exporting the goods and not the taxes.
• An exporter can get a refund of any taxes paid while exporting the goods.
• Government even waives some import duties, if the importer promises to export the goods within a time frame.
Lifetime validity
• As the name suggests, there is no need to renew this code again and again.
• It will be valid till the entity for which it is issued exists. After the winding up of the company, this code expires.
No return filing
• There is no compliance requirement for IEC
• Including this, there is no need to file periodical returns.
• It is just like a PAN card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Import Export Code or IEC is a 10-digit code that a business or a person needs to import/export goods/services. This code is issued by DGFT (Director General of Foreign trade), Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Government of India. The validity of this code is for lifetime, that is, there is no need to renew it. This code is generated within 5-15 working days after the documents are submitted and all the corrections required are made.
In order to get code an application must be made in the Aayaat Niryaat Form 2A format to the DGFT in that region where the registered office of the company is established. Government has also arranged online filing facility for obtaining IEC CODE ONLINE.
Step 2: Processing of application
Details of the business and its proprietors, directors or partners, bank account details and a bank certificate are the basic requirements of ANF 2A. All the required documents for IEC need to be submitted with ANF 2A. Digital signature is required on the ANF2A form.
Step 3: Payment of fee
Once the application is complete, it should be filed with DGFT and an application fee needs to be paid to the government. IEC department may send back your application for correction/change. You need to reply back to the DGFT in 15 days.
Step 4: IE code assurance
Once the application is completely verified by the department, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade will allot an IE Code for your business. This IE code comes in both soft copy and hard copy. You receive the softcopy via email and can start the import export transaction with this.
A-the list below describes the total documents required to get IEC registration for an entity. For any other, the list is mentioned above.
• Copy of PAN card firm/company
• Copy of property papers (if owned property)
• Copy of rent agreement (if rented property)
• Landlord NOC (format will be provided by us)
• Cancelled cheque of firm
• Electricity/water bill (business place)
• Telephone bill in the same name
• Copy of tax returns (in case of proprietorship)
• Certificate of incorporation (in case of company)
• Bank statement of firm/Company
• AOA and MOA (In case of company)
• 1 letter head of company (in case of company)
1. Person exporting or importing goods for personal use and not for activities related to business.
2. Persons exporting or importing goods to/from Nepal or Myanmar through Indo-Myanmar border areas, a value of which does not exceed Rs.25,000/- in a single assignment.
3. Ministries or departments of central government do not require obtaining IEC.