Steps to Register Import Export Code (IEC)
If you're a US business owner sourcing products from India, or you've set up (or plan to set up) a company in India to sell into the American market, you'll run into a term pretty quickly: IEC, short for Import Export Code. It's not an American requirement — it's issued by the Indian government — but it sits at the center of any legal trade flow between India and the rest of the world, including the US. So whether you need to get one yourself or just need to know why your Indian supplier keeps mentioning it, this guide walks through what it is and how to register.
What exactly is an IEC
The Import Export Code is a 10-digit number issued by India's Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), a body under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Think of it as a trade license: without it, an Indian business or individual cannot legally send goods out of the country or bring goods in. Indian customs won't clear a shipment, and Indian banks won't process the foreign payment tied to that shipment, unless an IEC is on file.
One thing that surprises a lot of first-time applicants: the code is essentially your business PAN (India's version of a tax ID) formatted for trade purposes. You still have to apply for it separately, but once it's issued, it doesn't expire and doesn't need renewal. There is, however, an annual check-in requirement, which we'll get to.
Who actually needs one
This part matters for a US reader, because it's easy to assume you need an IEC yourself if you're buying from or selling to India. You generally don't — the requirement falls on the Indian party in the transaction.
You'd need to register for an IEC if:
You're a US citizen or NRI who has incorporated a company, LLP, or proprietorship in India and that entity will import or export.
You run an India-based subsidiary and want it to trade internationally under its own name.
You're setting up a sourcing or manufacturing arm in India that will ship products to US customers.
You would not need one if you're simply a US buyer purchasing from an Indian exporter — your supplier handles that on their end. It's worth confirming they actually have an active IEC, though, since a stalled or deactivated one on their side can hold up your shipment even though it's not your registration.
A few categories are exempt from IEC entirely under Indian rules, including individuals importing or exporting for personal use rather than business, and government departments.
Documents you'll need before you start
Have these ready before logging into the portal — it saves you from restarting the application halfway through:
PAN card of the business entity (or the individual, for a sole proprietorship)
Proof of the business's registered address — a rent agreement, utility bill, or sale deed, matching the address on the PAN card
Incorporation documents specific to the entity type: Certificate of Incorporation for a private company, the partnership deed for a partnership, or the LLP agreement for an LLP
Bank account details, plus a cancelled cheque or a bank certificate confirming the account
A working mobile number linked to Aadhaar, if you plan to e-sign using Aadhaar OTP, or a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) if you're signing that way instead
The registration steps
The whole process runs online through the DGFT portal at dgft.gov.in, and most applications are approved within one to three working days.
Create a DGFT login. Go to dgft.gov.in, find the "Register" option, and sign up as an "Importer/Exporter" using the entity's PAN, an email address, and a mobile number. You'll get an OTP to verify both.
Log in and open the IEC application. Once your profile is active, go to Services and select "Apply for IEC." This opens Form ANF-2A, the official application form.
Fill in the business details. Enter the entity's name, address, nature of business, and the details of the directors or partners. Double-check that everything matches your PAN and incorporation documents exactly — mismatches are one of the most common reasons applications get sent back.
Add your bank information. You'll need the account number, IFSC code, and branch address for the account the business will use for trade transactions.
Upload your documents. Attach the PAN, address proof, incorporation certificate, and cancelled cheque as scanned copies in the formats the portal accepts (usually PDF or JPEG, within a specified file size).
Pay the application fee. The fee is ₹500 (roughly $6 at current exchange rates, though that will shift), payable by net banking, debit card, or UPI.
Sign the application. Complete this using either a Digital Signature Certificate or Aadhaar-based OTP e-signing for the authorized signatory.
Submit and wait. Once submitted, DGFT reviews the application. If everything checks out, approval typically comes within one to three working days.
Download your IEC certificate. Once approved, the certificate is available directly on the portal. Save a copy — you'll need to show it to banks, customs brokers, and sometimes shipping partners.
After you're approved
Two things worth flagging so the code doesn't quietly become invalid on you:
Only one IEC is issued per PAN, so if the business already has one, a second application will be rejected automatically. And even though the code itself never expires, DGFT requires every IEC holder to log in and confirm their details are still accurate once a year, between April and June. Skip that update and the system deactivates the code — which means no trade activity until it's reactivated, even though nothing about your business actually changed.
If you're planning to actually move goods once the IEC is issued, you'll also want to register separately on ICEGATE (India's customs filing portal) and get an Authorized Dealer code from your bank, since the IEC alone doesn't cover customs clearance.
Common mistakes to avoid
Most rejections trace back to a handful of avoidable issues: an address on the application that doesn't exactly match the PAN card, uploading a blurry or outdated bank certificate, or applying under a PAN that already holds an active IEC. It's also worth confirming ahead of time that the Aadhaar of whoever is e-signing is linked to a mobile number they actually have access to — a dead link there stalls the OTP step and the whole application with it.
A few questions US readers tend to ask
Does a US-registered company need its own IEC?
No. The IEC applies to the entity trading out of India. A US company buying from or selling to an Indian partner relies on that partner's registration, not its own.
Can a US citizen apply for an IEC?
Yes, but through an Indian legal entity — you can't apply as a foreign individual with no Indian business presence. You'd need to first set up a company, LLP, or proprietorship registered in India.
Is the IEC the same as a US EIN?
They serve different purposes. An EIN identifies a business to the IRS for tax purposes; an IEC authorizes cross-border trade under Indian foreign trade law. A business operating in both countries may well need both, for entirely separate reasons.
How long is the IEC valid?
Indefinitely, as long as the annual profile update between April and June is completed each year.
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