The Import Export Code (IEC) is a 10-digit identification number issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) that every business needs to import or export goods from India. It is your business passport for international trade, since customs will not clear shipments and banks will not process trade payments without it. The IEC is now based on your PAN, costs Rs. 500, is issued in a few working days, and is valid for life, subject to a mandatory annual update. Samkhya obtains your IEC and sets up your trade registrations.
The IEC is issued by the DGFT under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, and is mandatory for anyone importing or exporting goods for commercial purposes. Since GST, the IEC number is the same as the entity’s PAN, but having a PAN alone is not enough: you must still apply on the DGFT portal and receive a distinct IEC certificate. It is needed for customs clearance of shipments and for sending or receiving foreign-exchange trade payments through banks. For pure service exports, an IEC is generally required only when claiming Foreign Trade Policy benefits or dealing in DGFT-specified services. Only one IEC is allowed per PAN, and it covers all of a business’s import and export activity.
An IEC offers important advantages:
An IEC is needed in these cases:
To obtain an IEC, you generally need:
Eligibility for an IEC is broad:
The IEC is issued by the DGFT through its portal at dgft.gov.in. The applicant registers on the portal, selects the correct entity type, enters the business and proprietor or director details exactly as per PAN, uploads a cancelled cheque or bank certificate and address proof, authenticates with Aadhaar OTP or a Digital Signature Certificate, and pays the Rs. 500 fee. The IEC, which mirrors the PAN, is typically issued within one to three working days and can be downloaded with a QR code. To actually trade, the business then registers its bank’s AD Code at the relevant customs port and registers on the ICEGATE customs portal.
For the Applicant:
For the Business:
IEC registration follows a clear sequence:
Getting your IEC with Samkhya Corporate Services is simple. Just follow these easy steps:
From there, our team obtains your IEC and helps with the AD Code and ICEGATE registration.
An IEC carries light but important compliance:
The IEC carries a one-time government fee of Rs. 500 and has lifetime validity, with no renewal fee, only a mandatory annual update between April and June. On the tax side, imports into India are treated as inter-state supplies and attract IGST along with basic customs duty at the port, which an importer can claim as input tax credit. Exports are zero-rated under GST, so an exporter can either export under a Letter of Undertaking without paying IGST, or pay IGST and claim a refund. While the IEC itself is not a tax registration, it works hand in hand with GST, the AD Code, and ICEGATE to make import and export operations possible. An IEC that lapses for want of the annual update blocks customs clearance until it is reactivated.
| Feature | Detail |
| Issued By | Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). |
| Governing Law | Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992. |
| Number | 10 digits, same as the entity’s PAN. |
| Government Fee | Rs. 500, one time. |
| Processing Time | Usually 1 to 3 working days. |
| Validity | Lifetime, with a mandatory April-June annual update. |
| Mandatory For | Import or export of goods from India. |
Who needs an IEC?
Any business or individual importing or exporting goods from India needs an IEC. For pure service exports, it is required only when claiming Foreign Trade Policy benefits or dealing in specified services.
Is the IEC the same as my PAN?
The IEC number is the same as the entity’s PAN, but you must still apply on the DGFT portal and receive a separate IEC certificate, as a PAN alone does not authorise trade.
How much does an IEC cost and how long does it take?
The government fee is Rs. 500, and the IEC is usually issued within one to three working days of a clean application.
Does an IEC need to be renewed?
It has lifetime validity with no renewal fee, but it must be updated or confirmed on the DGFT portal every year between April and June, or it is deactivated.
Do I need GST along with an IEC?
For actual trade you will usually need both, since imports attract IGST and exporters need GST registration to file an LUT or claim refunds.
Can I have more than one IEC?
No. Only one IEC is allowed per PAN, and it covers all of the business’s import and export activity.
