What is the registration process of IEC?

IEC Registration is compulsory for all the commercial importer or exporters in India. IEC is a 10 digit code which is allotted by DGFT (Director-General of Foreign Trade), and the validity of Import Export Code is for a lifetime. There is no need for the individual holding IEC Certificate to apply for its renewal. After submitting all the documents, the code will be generated within 5-15 working days. IEC code is also known as IE License, IE code, Import Export Code, Importer Exported Code, Import Export Number, etc. and you can issue this code in your name or company's name. Scroll down to check more information regarding IEC Registration in India.

You can check all the benefits of IEC registration below:

The following are the essential documents required at the time of IEC Registration:

1. Documents required by Partnership Firm:

• Digital photograph of managing partner.
• Submit a copy of the Partnership Deed.
• Copy of managing partner’s PAN card.
• Submit a copy of Driving License, Voter ID, Passport, and UID of the MD.
• Submit a copy of the sale deed if the business is self-owned.
• Copy of rent agreement or lease deed (in case the business is rented).
• Cancelled cheque or Bank Certificate as per ANF 2A.

1. Documents required by Sole Proprietorship Firm:

• Passport size photograph of the proprietor.
• A copy of the PAN of the proprietor.
• A copy of the Proprietor's Passport, Voter ID, Driving License, and UID.
• Submit a copy of the sale deed if the business is self-owned.
• Copy of rent agreement or lease deed (in case the business is rented).

1. Documents required by LLP (Limited Liability Partnership):

• Digital photograph of the LLP's Designated Partner or Company's Director, who is signing the application.
• Submit a copy of the Applicant's PAN card.
• A copy of Voter ID, Managing Partner’s Passport, Driving License, and UID of the Managing Director.
• Submit a copy of the sale deed if the business is self-owned.
• Copy of rent agreement or lease deed (in case the business is rented).
• Cancelled cheque or Bank Certificate as per ANF 2A.

1. Documents required by a HUF (Hindu Undivided Family):

• Submit a digital photograph of the Karta.
• A copy of Karta’s PAN card.
• A copy of Voter ID, Driving License, UID, and Passport of the Karta.
• Submit a copy of the sale deed if the business is self-owned.
• Copy of rent agreement or lease deed (in case the business is rented).
• Submit a Cancelled cheque having the account number and blueprinted name of the applicant entity or a Bank Certificate as per ANF 2A.

1. Documents required by a Trust:

• Submit a copy of the Trust Deed.
• Certificate of Registration of Society.
• Submit a digital photograph of the Chief Executive or Managing Director or the signatory applicant.
• Submit a Cancelled cheque having the account number and blueprinted name of the applicant entity or a Bank Certificate as per ANF 2A.
• Copy of rent agreement or lease deed (in case the business is rented).
• Submit a copy of the sale deed if the business is self-owned.
• Submit a copy of Voter ID, PAN card, Driving License, UID of the Chief Executive or the Managing Director, or the signatory applicant signing the document.

On 13^th July 2020, DGFT has introduced a new and updated way to apply IEC Online. DGFT (Director-General of Foreign Trade) decided to launch a digital platform to publish IEC code. Requirements of DSC have been announced by the Director-General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to reinforce the IEC issuance procedure and to stop fraud.

The online procedure for IEC Registration are as follows:

Step 1: First, go to the official portal DGFT, i.e., https://dgft.gov.in/CP/. Then the home page of DGFT will open.

Step 2: Then Click on the “Apply for IEC” button.

Step 3: Then, you need to enter all the registration details such as Register User, First Name & Last Name, and Email ID & Mobile number of the applicant, District, Pin code, State, and City.

Step 4: After filling all the details for registration, click on the "Send OTP," and then you'll receive an OTP on email id and mobile number. After this, go to the website's main page and click again "Apply IEC" button and log in by using your login credential.

Step 5: After login, you can fill all the details mentioned in the IEC registration form.

Step 6: After this, you need to fill the Director / Partner / Karta / Proprietor / Managing Trustee of the Entity.

Step 7: Then, enter all the details of the Bank of the Entity like Account holder's name, Bank and Branch Name, Account Number, IFSC Code, and also you need to upload a cancelled cheque book and click on the “Save and Next” button.

Step 8: Now, you need to select other details (Preferred sectors of operations) and then select the Acceptance of Undertaking/Declaration and fill the place. After that, click on the "Save and Next" button for further procedure.

Step 9: After the above step, click on the "Sign" button at the lower part of the page.

Then you need to select one of the methods for submitting the form, i.e., either through DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) or Aadhar OTP. After submitting the form and signing the prescribed form, proceed further to make the payments against the application. For payment, you need to pay Rs. 500/- for IEC Registration form. After the successful payment, the page will be redirected to the DGFT website, and you can download the receipt for any future reference.

Users can also download the IEC Certificate from "Print Certificate" feature in "Managing IEC."

In today's world, every business entity must obtain IEC Registration to expand its business to the international level. By getting the Import Export Code (IEC), business owners can grow their businesses worldwide through proper procedures and compliances.