Apply for an IEC from DGFT before making your first import or export transaction.
Jurisdiction
Central — Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India; applicable across India
Who applies
Any individual, firm, company, LLP, trust, HUF, or other legal entity intending to import goods into India or export goods / services from India
Typical time
1–3 working days for online applications; IEC is issued online and available for download immediately after approval
Fee
₹500 government application fee (paid online via DGFT portal)
| # | Document | Type needed | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PAN card of the applicant (individual / company / firm) | Self-attested Copy | Primary identity and tax identification; PAN is also the IEC number from 2020 onwards |
| 2 | Aadhaar card / Voter ID / Passport of the proprietor / director / partner | Self-attested Copy | Identity proof of the authorised signatory / applicant |
| 3 | Proof of business address (electricity bill / telephone bill / rent agreement / bank statement not older than 3 months) | Self-attested Copy | Confirms the registered business address in India |
| 4 | Bank certificate or cancelled cheque of the firm's current bank account | Original | Confirms the bank account details of the business; required for linking IEC to the bank account for export remittances |
| 5 | Certificate of Incorporation / Partnership Deed / LLP Agreement (for non-proprietorships)(optional)Required for companies, LLPs, partnership firms, and trusts; not required for sole proprietors | Self-attested Copy | Proof of the legal entity of the applicant |
| 6 | Digital photograph of proprietor / managing director / partner (passport-size) | Soft copy (PDF) | Uploaded as part of the DGFT IEC application form |
Original documents: Carry originals only for in-person visits — do not hand them over permanently unless explicitly required.
Visit the DGFT portal at dgft.gov.in. Click on 'Services > IEC > Apply for IEC'. Register an account using PAN, mobile number, and email address. Verify OTP sent to registered mobile. Log in to proceed.
Fill the online IEC application form (ANF 2A) on the DGFT portal. Enter applicant details: name (as on PAN), PAN, business type, establishment date, business address, bank account details (current account), and nature of business (importer/exporter/both). Add directors/partners/proprietor details.
Upload scanned copies of the required documents: PAN card, address proof of business, identity proof of proprietor/director, bank certificate or cancelled cheque, and photograph. File size limits apply for each document.
Pay the ₹500 IEC application fee via net banking, debit card, credit card, or UPI on the DGFT portal. A payment receipt is generated automatically.
The completed and verified application form must be digitally signed using a DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) or Aadhaar-based e-sign before submission. Submit the signed application.
The DGFT portal auto-verifies the PAN with the Income Tax database and the bank account details with the bank's records. If verification is successful, the IEC (which is the PAN number itself since 2020) is allotted and the e-IEC Certificate is available for download.
IEC holders must update their profile on the DGFT portal annually between April and June each year (even if there is no change). Failure to update results in deactivation of the IEC, blocking all import/export transactions.
Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Step 6 (for manual review if auto-verification fails)
Reviews IEC applications where auto-verification fails, resolves discrepancies, and issues or rejects IEC
Applying for IEC, updating IEC profile, tracking application status, downloading e-IEC Certificate, and applying for export-related schemes (MEIS, RoDTEP, etc.)
Filing import / export declarations (Bills of Entry and Shipping Bills) using IEC; real-time cargo tracking
Since 2021, DGFT requires every IEC holder to mandatorily update or confirm their IEC profile on the DGFT portal every year between April 1 and June 30. Failure to do so deactivates the IEC, making it impossible to import or export until the profile is reactivated. Reactivation requires submission of a deactivation letter from DGFT.
Since 2020, the IEC number is the same as the applicant's PAN. However, just having a PAN does not mean you have an IEC. You must formally apply on the DGFT portal and obtain the e-IEC Certificate, which customs and banks require as proof of IEC.
The bank account linked to the IEC must be in the name of the business entity (company, firm, or individual proprietor's name if the business is a proprietorship). A personal savings account cannot be used. Ensure the current account is in the correct entity name before applying.
Banks require a valid IEC to process export remittances and issue Foreign Inward Remittance Certificates (FIRC). Without an active IEC, payment received in foreign currency for exports cannot be repatriated legally through the banking channel.
Certain goods (arms, ammunition, narcotics, chemicals, dual-use items under SCOMET list) require special licences from DGFT or other agencies in addition to the IEC. Importing or exporting restricted goods with only an IEC and no specific licence is an offence under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act.