Get your Import Export Code (IEC) quickly and compliantly for import, export, online selling, merchant trade, and global business expansion. We assist with IEC registration, DGFT filing, modification, annual update compliance, and end-to-end support for businesses entering international trade.
Select a plan that fits your Import Export Code (IEC) needs
Best suited for: Freelancers, service exporters, solo proprietors, and small retailers who need a rapid, rock-bottom entry price to legally receive international payments or clear basic postal customs.
INR 599
What's included:
Best suited for: Active physical product exporters and importers who have immediate air/sea shipments landing at a specific port and must link their current bank account to Indian Customs to receive duty draw-backs or clear large commercial freights.
INR 2,499
What's included:
Best suited for: Heavy-volume trading houses, manufacturing entities, and multi-port e-commerce brands that require advanced electronic data interchange (EDI) access with Indian Customs and an automated setup to claim central export rewards.
INR 5,999
What's included:
If your business plans to import goods into India, export goods or services from India, sell internationally through e-commerce platforms, receive export proceeds, or participate in global trade, obtaining an Import Export Code (IEC) is one of the most important starting compliances.
The Import Export Code (IEC) is issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 and related Foreign Trade Policy / Handbook procedures. IEC is the primary business identification number for import-export transactions in India and is generally required before starting cross-border trade activities, subject to limited exceptions.
At CLEANFILINGS, we assist businesses, startups, proprietors, partnership firms, LLPs, companies, exporters, importers, and e-commerce sellers with IEC registration, IEC modification, annual IEC update compliance, and end-to-end DGFT support.
Import Export Code (IEC) is a 10-digit code / business identification number issued by DGFT to a person or business engaged in import or export.
IEC acts as the core registration for carrying on international trade activities such as:
✔ Import of goods into India
✔ Export of goods from India
✔ Export of services, where IEC-linked compliance / banking documentation is relevant
✔ Selling products through international marketplaces / global e-commerce
✔ Merchant export / merchant import business
✔ Availing customs clearance for import-export consignments
✔ Receiving export remittances / foreign inward payments linked with export business
✔ Applying for certain export benefits, authorisations, or trade-related registrations, where applicable
The Import Export Code system is now largely managed through the DGFT online portal, and IEC holders must be aware that IEC is not just a one-time registration. The present framework includes an important annual update confirmation requirement even where no changes are made in IEC particulars.
IEC itself does not ordinarily expire in the traditional sense, but every IEC holder is required to confirm / update IEC details annually on the DGFT portal within the prescribed time, even if there is no change in particulars. Failure to do so can lead to deactivation / inoperative IEC status until compliance is completed.
Under the current DGFT compliance framework, IEC holders are generally required to confirm or update IEC details every year during the period from April to June for the preceding financial year, as per DGFT rules applicable at the time. This annual update obligation is one of the most important ongoing IEC compliances.
For most entities, the PAN of the business / applicant is the IEC number or forms the base identifier in the IEC framework. Accordingly, PAN accuracy and entity details are very important at the time of IEC registration and modification.
If there is any change in business name, address, constitution, contact details, branch details, bank details, or partner / director particulars, the IEC profile should be updated on the DGFT portal to keep trade records and regulatory information accurate.
IEC registration may be required by:
✔ Proprietorship firms importing or exporting goods
✔ Partnership firms involved in import-export trade
✔ LLPs and companies engaged in cross-border trade
✔ Merchant exporters / merchant traders
✔ Manufacturers exporting their products outside India
✔ Service exporters receiving foreign remittances and requiring trade-related documentation
✔ Amazon / e-commerce sellers exporting products internationally
✔ Startups planning to sell products or services overseas
✔ Importers of raw material, machinery, equipment, packaging material, or finished goods
✔ Businesses participating in global B2B or B2C trade
IEC is generally relevant in the following situations:
If a business wants to import goods into India and clear them through customs, IEC is generally required.
If a business wants to export products outside India, IEC is typically required for customs and export documentation purposes.
Businesses selling through global marketplaces or directly to overseas customers may require IEC for export compliance and foreign inward remittance handling.
If a business is involved in trading products internationally rather than manufacturing them, IEC is still generally relevant.
Where a business wants to avail DGFT-linked benefits, export promotion schemes, or certain trade authorisations, IEC is typically a foundational registration.
Certain limited categories / transactions may be outside the general IEC requirement depending on the law, transaction structure, or notified exemption. For example, government departments and certain notified persons / categories may have special treatment under DGFT rules.
Also, some service export situations may need case-specific review depending on the exact transaction, banking channel, and regulatory requirement. However, from a practical business perspective, if you are setting up a regular import-export business, it is usually advisable to assess IEC at the beginning itself.
IEC is one of the first and most important registrations for businesses entering global trade.
Import-export documentation, customs clearance, and foreign remittance-related processes often require IEC-linked details.
IEC supports businesses that want to export through websites, marketplaces, distributors, or direct overseas contracts.
IEC is relevant for businesses exploring export incentives, trade authorisations, and structured global expansion.
A properly maintained IEC profile helps the business stay prepared for customs, banking, and trade compliance requirements.
The exact document set may vary based on constitution of business and DGFT requirements, but commonly the following are required:
We first review the constitution of business and whether IEC is required for the planned import-export activity.
PAN, address proof, bank details, and business constitution documents are collected and checked.
The IEC application is prepared on the DGFT portal with business details, branch details, bank details, and authorised person information.
The application is authenticated through the prescribed DGFT process and submitted online.
Upon successful submission and processing, IEC is generated and reflected on the DGFT system.
We also guide the client on basic post-IEC compliances such as annual update confirmation and profile maintenance.
This is one of the most important parts of the current IEC framework and should be clearly explained on your website.
Every IEC holder is generally required to confirm or update IEC details annually on the DGFT portal, even if there is no change in the existing IEC particulars.
The annual confirmation / update is generally required to be completed between April and June every year for the relevant preceding financial year, subject to DGFT rules / notifications applicable at that time.
Even where the IEC holder has no change in:
the IEC holder should still complete the annual confirmation as required by DGFT.
If the annual update / confirmation is not completed, the IEC may be treated as inactive / deactivated / inoperative for DGFT transactions until the required update is carried out.
An IEC profile should be updated whenever there is a material change in business particulars. We assist with IEC modification for:
✔ Change in business name / legal name
✔ Change in registered office or business address
✔ Change in mobile number / email ID
✔ Change in bank account details
✔ Addition / change of branch details
✔ Change in constitution of business
✔ Update in partner / director / authorised signatory details
✔ Correction in profile information
Keeping the IEC profile updated is important for smooth trade operations, customs coordination, banking compliance, and DGFT record accuracy.
IEC is particularly useful for:
Businesses selling through international e-commerce platforms may need IEC for export documentation and inward remittance handling.
A startup planning to export products, software-linked services, design products, packaged food, consumer goods, or B2B supplies may need IEC as part of its trade readiness.
Even if the business does not manufacture goods itself, IEC is relevant for merchant export / trading operations.
We assist IEC registration and update for:
✔ Traders and merchant exporters
✔ Manufacturers and industrial units
✔ Amazon / marketplace sellers exporting products
✔ Food exporters and importers
✔ Fashion / garment / handicraft exporters
✔ Machinery / equipment importers
✔ Startups entering global trade
✔ Service-linked export businesses requiring trade support documentation
✔ Multi-product trading businesses
Businesses often confuse IEC with other registrations. These are different compliances.
Required for import-export trade and DGFT-linked cross-border business activities.
Required for GST law compliance in India depending on turnover, nature of supply, inter-state supply, and other GST rules.
A business recognition / registration for eligible micro, small, and medium enterprises under MSME law.
A business engaged in export may need all three, depending on its structure and operations.
Our IEC services may include:
✔ Fresh IEC registration
✔ DGFT profile creation / IEC application support
✔ IEC annual update / annual confirmation compliance
✔ IEC modification / amendment
✔ Guidance on import-export readiness documentation
✔ IEC support for proprietorship, partnership, LLP, company, and startup entities
✔ Support for e-commerce exporters and merchant traders
✔ End-to-end DGFT compliance assistance for IEC matters
✔ Smooth DGFT application process
✔ Proper document review and profile preparation
✔ Reduced risk of application error or mismatch
✔ Guidance on annual IEC update obligations
✔ Support for modification and business changes
✔ Better compliance readiness for import-export operations
✔ Practical support for businesses entering import-export trade
✔ Assistance with IEC registration, modification, and annual update compliance
✔ Support for proprietorships, firms, LLPs, companies, startups, and exporters
✔ Useful for traders, manufacturers, e-commerce sellers, and merchant exporters
✔ Professional guidance for DGFT-linked business compliance
✔ Pan-India service support
If your business is planning to import, export, sell internationally, or expand into global trade, IEC registration is one of the first essential steps. CLEANFILINGS can help you obtain and maintain your IEC smoothly and compliantly.
Smart Filings. Clean Future.
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