What if IEC is Not Updated Till 30 June?

If your IEC (Importer Exporter Code) is not updated on the DGFT portal by 30th June of the financial year, it will be automatically deactivated as per DGFT’s mandate. This applies even if there are no changes in your IEC details. The annual updation process ensures that the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) maintains a live and accurate database of active importers and exporters.

Once deactivated, your IEC becomes inactive for all import/export-related transactions. This means you will be unable to:

• File shipping bills at customs
• Clear imported goods
• Avail export benefits or schemes
• Participate in international trade legally

However, the deactivation is not permanent. You can reactivate your IEC anytime by completing the required updation process on the DGFT portal. The system will verify your details and restore the IEC status to ‘active’ shortly after successful submission.

To avoid unnecessary disruptions in trade operations or financial losses, it’s important to log in and update your IEC details every year between 1st April and 30th June, even if there are no changes. The process is simple and free of cost.

In summary, failure to update your IEC by the deadline results in deactivation, but reactivation is possible upon updation—so timely compliance is crucial for smooth international business.