We help you to start your Import export business by seeking an Import Export Code (IEC) from DGFT. In our packages, we provide consultancy in documentation and information, Applying for IEC online and follow-up for IEC Approval.
We are a professional consulting firm specialising in company registration, taxation, accounting, payroll, compliance, and intellectual property rights (IPR) services to assist new and existing businesses in India. We provide our professional services at a reasonable fee, explaining the eligibility, process, and documents required for setting up and maintaining a business. We also prepare and file necessary applications with relevant government agencies such as the Registrar of Companies (ROC) and the Income Tax Department. We do not directly provide government documents or represent ourselves as a government agency.
Import Export Code (IEC) is a ten digit alphanumeric code allotted to businesses carrying out import or export of products or services. No importing or exporting activities can be carried out by any business if it does not possess the Import and Export Code. The IEC is issued by the regional office of the Director General of Foreign Trade or DGFT and is used for the unique identification of import and export businesses by tax authorities like Customs and DGFT officers across India. Moreover, IEC code is used by the DGFT to regulate the importing and exporting activities of Indian businesses and secure the financial health of the Indian economy.
The Import export code registration is a simple process that must be undertaken by businesses involved in foreign trade. The Indian government has made IEC registration mandatory so that import export businesses can avail a number of benefits offered by the Indian government for the purpose of assisting their growth and prosperity. A few important benefits of IEC registration for import export businesses have been mentioned below.
Avail government benefits like export subsidies, import subsidies, low custom duty, etcExplore the global consumer base in the global marketsTrade legalized in foreign countriesLifetime validity of registration with no requirement for renewalEasy and 100% online PAN-based application for registrationThe process to register for IEC is extremely simple and 100% online. All you need to do is visit the official website of DGFT and register your business entity. After a successful registration on the website, you can fill out the application for IEC registration, attach necessary documents with it, pay the prescribed application fee, and finally submit the application form. Following the registration of IEC of your business, you will receive a registration certificate along with the allotment of IEC, which you can further use for foreign trade activities.
Before beginning the process of IEC code registration, you must arrange all the documents that are required to be submitted with the application for registration. A list of all such documents that must be submitted with the application have been mentioned in the section below. A failure to produce any of the prescribed documents, or filing of incorrect documents might result in the rejection of your entire application, and you might have to file a fresh application again. Therefore, it is advised that you carefully arrange all the documents beforehand to avoid any hassle or hindrance in the filing of application.
To begin the process of IEC registration, you must visit the official website of the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). On the homepage of the website, you will have to click on the “Services” tab, and from the dropdown that appears on the screen, you will have to choose the “ IEC Profile Management” option. On clicking this option, you shall be directed to the Registration page of the website.
On the new page that appears for registration, click on the “Apply for IEC option”, following which you can click on the “Register” option. The registration form will appear on the screen where you will be required to fill basic details like name, nature of business, contact number, contact email, and detailed address.
After filling out the details in the registration form, you shall be required to generate an OTP for the validation of the contact details mentioned in the form. The OTP will be received on the email ID and mobile number mentioned in the registration form, after their successful validation, a temporary password will be generated, which you can later use to login and fill out the detailed application form for online import export registration.
Using the temporary password, the next step is to login on the DGFT website and fill out the complete application, attach / upload the prescribed documents with it, and pay the prescribed application fees. After the application is complete, you can click on the “submit” option, and wait until your application is being processed. Note that the application to be filled out shall be available in the ANF 2A format.
After the application for IEC registration has been successfully processed, the DGFT will allot an Import Export Code and issue a registration Certificate to the applicant, as a conclusive proof of his registration of IEC. Only receiving the IEC code and the registration certificate, the applicant can begin import or export activities and conduct legitimate foreign trade.
Documentation is a significant part of the entire process of Registration of IEC, as it may either result in the approval or rejection of the application. The documents prescribed to be submitted with the IEC application depends on the type of entity that is applying for it. In the table given below, we have mentioned a complete list of documents required for registration of IEC, based on the type of entity that is filing the application.
| Individual | Proprietorship | Partnership Firm |
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| LLP/ Company | Trust / Society | HUF |
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