The cost of IEC license in India starts at just Rs. 500, the one-time government fee charged by the DGFT for a fresh code. That is the only mandatory cost. Everything else, a digital signature, a consultant, or later modifications, is optional and depends on how you apply. So if you have your documents in order and file it yourself, your total cost is Rs. 500, full stop.
Below we break down every possible charge in plain terms, including the few that catch people out, so you know exactly what to expect before you pay. If you are looking specifically for what it costs to renew or activate an existing code rather than get a new one, see our IEC renewal fees in India and cost of IEC code activation guides.
Here is every charge you might encounter, and whether it is actually mandatory.
| Charge type | Amount | Mandatory? |
| New IEC application (government fee) | Rs. 500 | Yes |
| IEC modification (address, bank, ownership) | Rs. 200 | Only if you change details |
| Duplicate IEC certificate | Rs. 200 | Only if needed |
| Digital Signature Certificate (DSC), if used | Rs. 1,500 to 2,500 | Optional (Aadhaar e-Sign is free) |
| Professional or consultant service fee | Rs. 500 to 3,000+ | Optional |
| Annual update (April to June) | Free | Yes, every year |
The government itself charges only Rs. 500 for a fresh code, and that fee is the same regardless of your business type. The annual update that keeps the code active is free unless you modify details, and we link that out below so you can see the full renewal picture separately.
This is paid directly on the DGFT portal through the Bharatkosh gateway, by net banking, card, or UPI. It gets you a lifetime-valid IEC, and there is no renewal fee for keeping the code itself.
If you later change details such as your address, bank, or directors, DGFT charges Rs. 200 per modification. This is separate from the free annual confirmation.
Lost your certificate or need a reissue? DGFT charges Rs. 200 to print a fresh copy.
You do not strictly need a DSC, since Aadhaar e-Sign is free. But companies and LLPs often use one, and a third-party certifying authority charges Rs. 1,500 to 2,500 depending on class and validity. See our DGFT digital signature service if you need one.
This is where most of the confusion around IEC cost comes from. Do it yourself and your only cost is Rs. 500. Use a consultant to handle the documents, follow-ups, and corrections, and you pay a service fee on top, typically Rs. 500 to 3,000 depending on the provider and how fast you need it.
Here is what the total typically looks like depending on who is applying.
| Business type | Govt fee | Consultant fee | Total |
| Individual exporter | Rs. 500 | Rs. 0 | Rs. 500 |
| Proprietorship | Rs. 500 | Rs. 1,000 | Rs. 1,500 |
| Pvt Ltd company | Rs. 500 | Rs. 2,000 | Rs. 2,500 |
These are typical ranges; your actual consultant fee varies by provider and how much support you need.
Not from DGFT directly, its fee structure is fixed and published. But a few indirect costs catch people out. GST at 18 percent applies on a consultant’s service fee. Your bank may charge a small fee to issue a bank certificate if you do not have a cancelled cheque. And if your application is rejected over a document mismatch, usually a PAN name difference, you pay the Rs. 500 again on reapplication. DGFT has also warned against fake look-alike websites charging inflated fees, so always apply through the official portal or a verified consultant.
No. The Rs. 500 fee is non-refundable, even if your application is rejected. The only exception is a genuine technical error such as a duplicate payment or a failed transaction that still debited you, which you can raise with the DGFT helpdesk using your transaction proof. This is exactly why getting your documents right the first time matters.
If you would rather not risk a rejection and a second Rs. 500, JParks India handles your IEC registration end to end at a transparent fixed fee, checking every document before submission. Call or WhatsApp +91 9167379073 to get started.
The mandatory government cost is Rs. 500. With a consultant, the total typically runs Rs. 1,000 to 3,500 depending on the provider.
Yes. The Rs. 500 government fee is the same regardless of whether you are an individual, proprietorship, partnership, LLP, or company.
Yes. With your PAN, bank proof, and address documents ready, you can file on the DGFT portal yourself and pay only the Rs. 500 government fee.
No. The annual update that keeps it active is free unless you change details, in which case Rs. 200 applies. See our renewal fees guide for the full breakdown.
No, except for genuine technical or duplicate-payment errors, which DGFT reviews on request.
