How do I update my IEC?

To update your IEC, log in to the DGFT portal, open Services, select IEC Profile Management, choose Update/Modify IEC, edit your details, authenticate with DSC or Aadhaar e-Sign, and submit. The whole thing is online and usually takes a few minutes. Confirming details with no change is free. Changing details such as address, bank, or directors costs a Rs. 200 government fee.

An IEC update simply means correcting the information on the 10 digit Importer Exporter Code that DGFT already issued to your firm. You are not applying for a fresh code. Below we walk you through it the way we would on a call with a client, using a common real situation.

A real situation our clients run into.

Say your firm has been exporting for a few years on the same IEC, and you have just shifted to a new office. Your shipments are fine, but the address printed on your IEC still shows the old premises. Sooner or later that mismatch shows up during customs clearance or an audit, and it becomes a problem at the worst possible moment. This is one of the most common reasons firms come to us for an update, so we will use it to show you exactly how the process works. The same steps apply whether you are changing your address, your bank, or your directors.

How to update your IEC on the DGFT portal?

Here is the full process, step by step.

1. Log in to the portal. Go to dgft.gov.in and sign in with your registered credentials. In our example, that is the same login your firm used when the IEC was first issued. If you have lost access, you can recover it using the mobile number and email linked to the IEC.
2. Open IEC Profile Management. From the dashboard, select Services, then IEC Profile Management, then Update/Modify IEC. The portal pulls up your existing profile exactly as it stands today, old address and all.
3. Edit the detail that changed. Go to the address field and replace the old premises with your new office address. You only touch what has actually changed. Everything else stays as it is.
4. Attach your proof. Upload valid proof of the new address, such as a recent electricity bill, rent agreement, or sale deed in the firm’s name. For a bank change you would attach a cancelled cheque instead, and for a director change, their identity proof.
5. e-Sign and submit. Sign with your DSC or Aadhaar based e-Sign and submit. Most changes are auto approved on the portal, so there is usually no waiting on an officer.
6. Download the updated certificate. Once processed, your new digitally signed certificate, now showing the correct address, is ready to download, and the updated status is sent automatically to Customs.

That is the entire job. For our example client, the address on the IEC now matches the office they actually operate from, and the customs mismatch risk is gone.

The six stages you will see on the portal.

When you open Update/Modify IEC, the portal lays your profile out in six stages. You only edit the stages that apply to your change, then sign once at the end.

Stage 1: General Information.

• Nature of the firm.
• Firm name.
• PAN.
• Exporter category.
• Mobile number.
• Email address.
• Proof of establishment.
• Registered address (address changes are made in this stage).

Stage 2: Partner Details.

• Add or remove directors, partners, proprietors, or trustees.

Stage 3: Bank Account Details.

• Update bank account information, including adding a new account or removing an existing one.

Stage 4: Other Details.

• Update information such as RCMC and industrial registration details.

Stage 5: Declaration.

• Review and confirm the information provided.

Stage 6: e-Sign and Submission.

• Complete the e-Sign process and submit the application. Saving and signing at this final stage completes the update.

If you need detailed guidance on modifying individual certificate fields, refer to the instructions on how to update your IEC certificate.

A note on the address change itself.

Because the address change is the example here, one thing is worth saying plainly to clients. DGFT may physically verify your new address, so the proof you upload should genuinely match where you now operate. Get this right once and you avoid discrepancies during clearance and audits down the line. Make the change as soon as you move rather than waiting for a shipment to get held up.

What it costs?

If you are only confirming your details with nothing changed, there is no fee. Because our example client is actually changing the address, the Rs. 200 government modification fee applies, paid through the Bharatkosh gateway, after which the portal issues the updated certificate. For activation and reactivation charges specifically, see the cost of IEC code activation.

After you submit.

Most changes reflect on the portal quickly, though verification can take a few working days in some cases. Your revised certificate then downloads straight from the portal, and Customs receives the updated status without you doing anything further. If the update was part of your yearly compliance, see how to download a renewed IEC certificate. If you would rather we simply handle it for you, see our IEC renewal service or speak to an import export consultant.

Frequently Asked Questions.

Q1. How do I update my IEC online?

Log in to the DGFT portal, open Services, select IEC Profile Management, choose Update/Modify IEC, edit the relevant stage, then e-Sign with DSC or Aadhaar and submit. The revised certificate downloads from the portal once processed.

Q2. Which details can I change in an IEC update?

You can change firm and address details, partners or directors, bank account, and other profile data such as RCMC, each under its own stage in Update/Modify IEC.

Q3. How long does an IEC update take?

Most changes are auto approved and reflect quickly, though processing can take a few working days depending on verification.

Q4. Do I need a DSC to update my IEC?

You can use either a DSC or Aadhaar based e-Sign. Companies and LLPs usually use a DSC, while proprietors can sign with Aadhaar OTP.

Q5. Can I change my IEC address myself?

Yes. Edit it under Stage 1, upload proof of the new address, and submit. DGFT may verify the address physically, so make sure the proof matches your actual premises.