How to Get IEC Code Online in 2026 — Step by Step Guide
Your IEC (Import Export Code) is the first and most essential step to start exporting or importing legally in India. Here’s exactly how to get it in 1–3 working days for just ₹500.
The Import Export Code (IEC) is a 10-digit unique identification number issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce, Government of India. It is the single most important licence for any business that wants to import or export goods or services commercially.
Here’s why you absolutely cannot do international trade without it:
| Without IEC | With IEC |
|---|---|
| Customs will not clear your export shipment | Seamless customs clearance on ICEGATE |
| Banks cannot process foreign trade payments (EDPMS/IDPMS) | Bank processes LC, foreign remittances, PCFC freely |
| Cannot file shipping bill on ICEGATE | Shipping bills filed, export data reported to RBI automatically |
| Cannot claim export benefits — GST refund, RODTEP, Drawback | All export incentive schemes open to you |
| Cannot register on Amazon Global, eBay, Alibaba as Indian exporter | Full access to global e-commerce marketplaces |
✅ You MUST get IEC if you are:
- A manufacturer exporting goods from India
- A merchant exporter/trading house
- An importer bringing goods into India commercially
- A service exporter claiming benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy (RODTEP, SEIS etc.)
- An e-commerce seller on Amazon Global, eBay, Etsy, or Alibaba
- A freelancer or IT company receiving foreign payments AND claiming FTP benefits
- A business receiving payments in foreign currency through banking channels for export of services
❌ IEC is NOT required if you are:
- Importing/exporting goods for personal use (not commercial)
- A government ministry or department
- A notified charitable organisation exporting/importing for relief purposes
- A service exporter who does NOT claim any Foreign Trade Policy benefit (optional in this case)
The documents vary depending on your business structure. Check your category below:
👤 Proprietorship Firm
- PAN card of proprietor
- Aadhaar card of proprietor
- Address proof of business (utility bill / rent agreement)
- Cancelled cheque of current account
- Passport-size photograph
🤝 Partnership Firm
- PAN card of the firm
- Partnership deed (registered)
- PAN + Aadhaar of managing partner
- Address proof of firm
- Cancelled cheque of firm’s bank account
🏢 Private Limited / LLP
- PAN card of the company
- Certificate of Incorporation (CoI)
- PAN + Aadhaar of authorised signatory
- Board resolution / authorisation letter
- Address proof of registered office
- Cancelled cheque of company’s bank account
👨🌾 Individual Exporter
- PAN card
- Aadhaar card
- Address proof (Aadhaar / passport / utility bill)
- Cancelled cheque of savings/current account
- Passport-size photograph
Go to DGFT Portal and Register as a New User
Open dgft.gov.in in your browser. Click on “Register” at the top right corner. Select “Importer/Exporter” as your user type.
Enter your name, PAN number, email address, and mobile number. You will receive separate OTPs on your email and mobile — enter both to verify. Your account is now created.
Log In and Navigate to IEC Application
Log in with your new credentials. On the dashboard, click on “Services” in the top menu → select “IEC Profile Management” → click “Apply for IEC”.
A new IEC application form will open. This is divided into multiple parts — General Information, Branch Details, Director/Partner Details, and Bank Details.
Fill Part A — General / Entity Details
This section captures your basic business information:
- Entity type — Proprietorship / Partnership / Pvt Ltd / LLP / Individual etc.
- PAN of the entity — pulled automatically after verification
- Date of establishment — date of incorporation or date of starting business
- Address of principal place of business
- Nature of concern — Manufacturer / Merchant / Service Exporter / Trader
Fill Part B — Branch and Bank Details
Enter your bank account details — account number, IFSC code, account type (current/savings), and bank name. The portal will auto-validate the IFSC code.
If you have multiple branches, you can add them here. For most small businesses, just the main address is sufficient.
Fill Part C — Director / Partner / Proprietor Details
Add the details of all directors (for a company), all partners (for a firm), or the proprietor. You will need:
- Full name as on PAN
- PAN number
- Aadhaar number (for e-signature later)
- Designation and date of birth
- Mobile number and email
For a Private Limited Company, add all directors. For a Partnership, add all partners. The application will be signed by the authorised signatory using their Aadhaar.
Upload Documents
Upload scanned copies of your documents as per the list for your business type. Important technical requirements:
- File format: PDF or JPG
- File size: Maximum 5 MB per document
- Quality: Clear, complete, not cropped — all four corners of the document must be visible
- Colour scans preferred over black-and-white for identity documents
Pay the ₹500 Application Fee
After filling all sections, you will be redirected to the Bharatkosh payment gateway (the official Government of India payment system). Pay ₹500 using:
- UPI (Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm etc.) ← fastest option
- Net banking
- Debit card / credit card
Keep your payment receipt/transaction ID safely. It will be needed if there is any payment dispute later.
Sign the Application — Aadhaar OTP or DSC
The final step before submission is digitally signing your application. DGFT offers two methods:
| Method | How It Works | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Aadhaar OTP | OTP sent to the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar | Proprietors, individuals, most small businesses — fastest and free |
| DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) | USB token with your digital signature plugged into computer | Companies where Aadhaar OTP fails or DSC is already available |
Submit and Track Your Application
After signing, click Submit. You will receive an Application Reference Number (ARN) — note this down. Your application is now with DGFT for processing.
Track status anytime: DGFT portal → Services → IEC Profile Management → Track Application → enter your ARN.
Download Your IEC Certificate (e-IEC)
Once approved, your e-IEC certificate is sent to your registered email. You can also download it anytime from:
DGFT Portal → Login → Services → IEC Profile Management → Print/Download IEC
The e-IEC is a digitally signed PDF — it is legally valid. No physical certificate is issued. Your IEC number is the same as your PAN number and is valid for lifetime.
🎉 Total Time and Cost Summary
Government fee: ₹500 (one time, non-refundable)
Time to fill and submit: 30–45 minutes
Approval time: A few hours to 3 working days
If applying through a CA/consultant, they typically charge ₹1,000–₹3,000 as professional fees. You can do this yourself in under an hour — no CA needed.
🚨 Critical: The Annual IEC Update Rule (Most Exporters Don’t Know This)
Your IEC has lifetime validity — but since 2021, DGFT has made it mandatory to update (or confirm) your IEC details every year between 1 April and 30 June. This is a free process — you just log in and confirm your details are correct (or update them if anything changed).
What happens if you miss it?
- DGFT automatically deactivates your IEC from 1 July if you haven’t done the annual update
- Customs will reject your shipping bills
- Banks will not process foreign trade transactions against a deactivated IEC
- You can reactivate by doing the update, but it causes unnecessary delays during active export periods
How to do the annual update: DGFT Portal → Login → Services → IEC Profile Management → Modify/Update IEC → Confirm details → Submit. Takes 5 minutes. Completely free.
❌ Name Mismatch
Company name in application doesn’t exactly match PAN records. “Pvt Ltd” vs “Private Limited” can be flagged.
✅ Fix: Check your PAN card spelling exactly and replicate it character-by-character in the form.
❌ Bank Account Name Mismatch
Bank account in a different name than the PAN/entity name on the IEC application.
✅ Fix: Ensure your bank account is in the exact same name as your business PAN. If not, update bank records first.
❌ Blurry / Cropped Documents
Photographs of documents taken on phone in poor lighting — corners cut off, text unreadable.
✅ Fix: Use CamScanner or Adobe Scan app. Ensure all four corners and all text is clearly visible. Max 5 MB.
❌ Aadhaar Not Linked to Mobile
OTP doesn’t come because Aadhaar is not linked to an active mobile number.
✅ Fix: Visit nearest Aadhaar Seva Kendra to link mobile number, OR use DSC method instead of Aadhaar OTP.
❌ Address Discrepancy
Address on PAN doesn’t match address proof document submitted.
✅ Fix: Use the same address as on your PAN, or submit a utility bill of the exact address you’ve entered.
❌ Handwritten Cancelled Cheque
Cheque with account holder name written by hand — not pre-printed — is rejected.
✅ Fix: Get a bank-issued account statement or bank certificate instead, which has the printed name and account details.
Can I have more than one IEC?
No. Only one IEC is issued per PAN. Since IEC = PAN for foreign trade purposes, having a valid PAN means you can have only one IEC against it. If you have multiple businesses under one PAN, they all operate under the same IEC.
Is IEC the same as GST registration?
No, they are separate. GST registration is for domestic tax compliance; IEC is for foreign trade. However, both are required for most exporting businesses. Your GSTIN and IEC are linked in the GST and customs systems to track your export refunds (IGST refund on exports).
Can I export without IEC if I already have GST?
No. GST registration does not substitute IEC. Customs and DGFT require a valid IEC for all commercial exports. You will need both.
I made a mistake in my IEC application — how do I correct it?
Log in to DGFT portal → Services → IEC Profile Management → Modify IEC. You can correct name, address, bank details and other information. Modifications are generally processed within 1–2 working days.
Can a CA or consultant apply on my behalf?
Yes. You can authorise a CA, consultant, or customs broker to apply on your behalf. However, the Aadhaar OTP for signing must come to the registered person’s mobile — the applicant must be available for this step. Many applicants prefer to do this themselves in 30–45 minutes rather than paying ₹1,000–3,000 in fees.
What is the difference between IEC and AD Code?
IEC is your export-import identity number issued by DGFT. AD Code (Authorised Dealer Code) is your bank branch’s code registered with customs at a specific port. You need both — IEC to export, and AD Code registration to route your export proceeds through your bank. Read our separate guide on AD Code registration on Eximerge.
My IEC was deactivated — how do I reactivate it?
Go to DGFT portal → Login → Services → IEC Profile Management → Modify/Update IEC → Complete the annual update. Once submitted, your IEC is reactivated usually within 24–48 hours. No fee is required for reactivation.