To apply IEC code online for partnership firms, you register on the DGFT portal with the firm PAN, fill the ANF 2A application, upload the partnership deed and bank proof, sign with a DSC and pay the ₹500 government fee. The Importer Exporter Code is issued within 1 to 2 working days and holds lifetime validity. This guide walks a partnership firm through every step, the exact documents needed, the fee and the common mistakes that cause rejection.
The Import Export Code is a 10 digit number issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Ministry of Commerce. No partnership firm can legally import into or export from India without it. After GST, the IEC is the same as the firm PAN, but a separate DGFT application is still required to activate it and create your Importer Exporter Profile.
A registered partnership firm and a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) can both apply for IEC in the name of the firm. The application is filed using the firm PAN, not a partner personal PAN. One partner is named as the authorised signatory and signs the application on behalf of the firm.
Before you start, the firm must have three things in place: a valid PAN in the firm name, a current bank account in the firm name, and a valid business address that can be physically verified by DGFT. Keep these ready because the portal checks the PAN and bank details in real time against government databases.
Keep clear PDF or JPEG scans ready before you log in. Blurry or mismatched documents are the most common reason for rejection.
The documents required for a partnership firm are the firm PAN card, the registered partnership deed, the PAN and Aadhaar of the authorised partner signing the application, address proof of the business premises such as a recent electricity bill, telephone bill, rent agreement or sale deed, and a cancelled cheque or bank certificate in the firm name. If the address proof is not in the firm name, attach a No Objection Certificate from the premises owner along with their address proof, combined into a single PDF.
Each file should be under 5 MB. The account holder name on the bank proof must match the firm name exactly, since the bank details are validated through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS).
The full process to apply IEC code online for partnership firms is handled on the official DGFT portal at dgft.gov.in. Follow these steps in order.
Go to dgft.gov.in and click Register. Choose Importer or Exporter as the user type and enter the firm PAN, firm name, email ID and mobile number. Verify the OTP sent to your email and mobile. You will receive a temporary password, which you change on first login.
Log in and go to Services, then IEC Profile Management, then Apply for IEC. Click Start Fresh Application. The ANF 2A form opens. Select Partnership Firm as the entity type.
Fill in the firm name as per PAN, date of formation, registered office address, nature of business and preferred export sectors. In the partner section, enter the name, PAN, Aadhaar and Director Identification Number where applicable for each partner. These details are verified live against the Income Tax database, so they must match official records exactly.
Enter the firm bank account number and IFSC code, then upload the cancelled cheque or bank certificate. The account holder name must be the firm name.
Upload the partnership deed, firm PAN, address proof and bank proof in the format and size allowed. Recheck that every scan is legible and that the names match.
A partnership firm must digitally sign the application using a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate registered in the name of one of the partners. Aadhaar based e-sign is allowed only for proprietorships and individuals, so a partnership firm needs a valid DGFT Digital Signature Certificate.
Pay the ₹500 government fee through the Bharatkosh payment gateway using UPI, debit card, credit card or net banking. Submit the application after the payment is confirmed.
The one time government fee to apply for a new IEC is ₹500. There is no annual government fee to keep the IEC active.
DGFT cross checks the application against the Income Tax database and issues the e-IEC certificate within 1 to 2 working days. The certificate is sent to your registered email and can be downloaded from the DGFT portal, complete with a QR code for online verification.
The IEC has lifetime validity and never expires. However, you must update or confirm your IEC details on the DGFT portal every year between April 1 and June 30. This annual update is free when no details are changed. A fee of ₹200 applies only when you actually modify the IEC. If you miss the window, the IEC is moved to the Denied Entity List and deactivated, after which it must be renewed and reactivated.
PAN mismatch is the leading cause. The firm name on the application must match the PAN database character for character. Unclear document scans, a wrong IFSC code, and a bank account not held in the firm name also lead to rejection or delay. An expired or unregistered DSC will stop the application at the signing step, so confirm your DSC works and the token drivers are installed before you begin.
The IEC is only the first step to becoming trade ready. Once issued, register your AD Code with your bank and on ICEGATE so customs can process your shipping bills, and complete your ICEGATE registration for electronic customs filing. Together these enable shipping bill generation, duty drawback and RoDTEP credits.
A small error in the ANF 2A form or a name mismatch can delay your IEC by days. At JPARKS INDIA we apply for IEC online on behalf of partnership firms, handle the documentation and DSC, and get you trade ready fast. We have served importers and exporters across India since 2018.
Call or WhatsApp us at +91 9167379073 or email [email protected] for a free consultation.
Yes. A registered partnership firm and an LLP can both apply for IEC online through the DGFT portal using the firm PAN. One partner is named as the authorised signatory.
The government fee for a new IEC is ₹500, paid once on the DGFT portal. The IEC has lifetime validity and there is no annual government fee to keep it active.
Yes. A partnership firm must sign the IEC application with a Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate registered to one of the partners. Aadhaar e-sign is not permitted for partnerships.
DGFT usually issues the e-IEC certificate within 1 to 2 working days of submission, provided the documents and details are accurate.
The IEC never expires, but it must be updated on the DGFT portal every year between April 1 and June 30. The update is free when no changes are made, and ₹200 applies only for modifications.
