How to apply IEC code online for a company in India is a straightforward, fully paperless process handled through the DGFT portal. A private limited company, public limited company, or LLP can register using its PAN, a Digital Signature Certificate, and a few standard documents, and the Importer Exporter Code is usually issued within 1 to 2 working days. This guide explains every step, the exact documents required, the government fee, and the common mistakes that delay company applications.
The Importer Exporter Code (IEC) is a 10-digit number issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade. It is mandatory for any company that wants to import goods into India or export goods and services abroad. No company can clear customs or receive foreign trade payments without it. The IEC is linked to the company PAN, so one company holds exactly one IEC for its entire lifetime.
Every company involved in cross-border trade needs an IEC before its first shipment. This includes:
A company does not need an IEC only when it imports or exports goods purely for personal, non-commercial use, which is rare for a registered entity. For all commercial trade, the IEC is the first compliance step.
Keep clear, legible scans of the following ready before you begin. Mismatched or blurry documents are the top reason company applications get rejected.
Follow these seven steps on the DGFT portal to complete a company IEC registration from start to finish.
Visit www.dgft.gov.in and register as a new user. Select the company as the registered entity and enter the company PAN, official email ID, and mobile number. Verify both the email and mobile through the OTP sent to each.
Log in to your DGFT account and go to Services, then IEC Profile Management, then Apply for IEC. Choose the option to start a fresh application. The portal opens form ANF-2A, and some fields auto-populate from your PAN data.
Choose Company as the firm type. Enter the company name exactly as printed on the Certificate of Incorporation, along with the CIN, registered office address, and PIN code. The address must match your address proof.
Add the name, PAN, DIN, and residential address of each director. Then enter the company bank account number, IFSC code, and bank name. The account holder name must match the company name exactly.
Upload the company PAN, Certificate of Incorporation, registered office address proof, and a cancelled cheque or bank certificate. Use clear PDF or image scans within the size limits shown on the portal.
Review the full application for accuracy, then digitally sign it using the company Digital Signature Certificate of an authorized director. Aadhaar e-sign is not valid for companies, so the DSC is mandatory for corporate entities.
Pay the government application fee of Rs 500 online through UPI, debit card, credit card, or net banking. After successful payment, submit the application. The IEC is usually issued within 1 to 2 working days and can be downloaded as a certificate from the DGFT portal.
The government fee to apply for an IEC is Rs 500, paid once on the DGFT portal. There is no renewal fee for the IEC itself. The certificate is normally issued within 1 to 2 working days for a clean application, and many correct applications are approved within 24 hours.
The IEC has lifetime validity, but every company must confirm or update its IEC details on the DGFT portal once a year between April and June. This annual update is free when there are no changes. If you ignore it, the IEC can be deactivated, which blocks customs clearance until you reactivate it. Learn more on our IEC Renewal page.
The IEC is step one. To actually move shipments, a company usually needs a few more registrations:
Getting these in order early prevents delays on your first consignment.
Avoiding these keeps your application clean and your approval fast.
The government fee is Rs 500, paid once on the DGFT portal during the application. There is no separate renewal fee for the IEC.
A clean company application is usually approved within 1 to 2 working days, and in many cases within 24 hours, after which you can download the certificate from the DGFT portal.
Yes. Companies and LLPs must sign the IEC application using a valid company DSC. Aadhaar e-sign is allowed only for proprietors, not for companies.
No. One PAN gets one IEC. Since the IEC is linked to the company PAN, a company holds a single IEC for its lifetime.
The IEC does not expire, but the company must confirm or update its IEC details on the DGFT portal once a year between April and June to keep it active. This update is free if there are no changes.
Filing a company IEC is straightforward when documents are correct, but a single mismatch can cost days. JPARKS India is an end-to-end EXIM compliance consultancy in Navi Mumbai that handles company IEC registration, renewal, and full customs compliance. Book a free consultation or contact our team to get your IEC filed correctly the first time.
