IMPORT EXPORT CODE || IEC

An export license refers to an import-export code granted by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. It enables exporters to ship commodities outside the country. The IEC code is 10 10-digit unique code that helps the customs authority to validate the given shipment and its exporters. It is mandatory to have documents for shipping products outside India. DGFT is the apex regulator related to the shipping business and has the sole authority to grant its registrations against the prescribed authority.

Benefits of IEC registration or Export License

• Ensure market expansion
• Ensure access to government-based schemes and benefits
• Easy process and lifetime validity
• No further compliance
• No renewal

Documents required

• Business Registration
• Owner's identity and business  address proof
• Premises-related documents  such as the sale deed, issue deed, and NOC from the owner in case of the property, and lastly,  a bank certificate

Procedure for securing IEC registration

• Head over to the web portal of the DGFT
• Create an account on the portal by completing the OTP verification process  for re-login
• Select the option  called IEC registration application

Then the portal shall open from the form seeking applicants to fill out the following particulars

• Company name and address
• Owner's details
• Partners/directors'  details
• Pan card of the company and the Pan card of the applicant as well
• Contact details of the applicant
• The incorporation date of an entity
• Current bank account details
• Director's identification number for the company’s director
• Upload the documents mentioned
• Payment section for fee submission
• Confirm the checklist displayed within the e-form
• Preview and print the application
• Apply and generate the IEC code

• Note – GST-registered traders are not required to secure IEC registration
• IEC registration is not mandatory for non-commercial export and import activities

Exempted Categories IEC No.

Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) numbers are not required for the following groups of importers or exporters:

• Exporters covered by clause 3(2) of the Foreign Trade (Exemption from Application of Rules in Certain Cases) Order, 1993, and importers covered by clause 3(1) [excluding sub-clauses (e) and (l)].
• Departments or Ministries of the central or State Government.
• people who are not involved in trade, manufacturing, or agriculture but are importing or exporting things for their own use.
• People who are importing or exporting goods to or from Nepal, as long as the CIF value of each shipment does not exceed 25,000 Indian rupees.
• People who import or export items over the Indo-Myanmar border regions, as long as the CIF value of a single consignment is under Indian Rs. 25,000.
• However, unless an export falls under category (ii) above, the exemption from acquiring an Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) number must not apply to the export of Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment, and Technologies (SCOMET) as mentioned in Appendix-3, Schedule 2 of the ITC(HS).
• The categories of importers and exporters listed against the following permanent IEC numbers shall utilise them for import and export purposes.

The following permanent IEC number shall be used by the categories of importer/ exporters mentioned against them for import/ export purposes.