Import Export License Online | IEC Code Application & Fees | ISLF

Every importer and exporter in India — whether an individual proprietor selling handicrafts, an SME manufacturer, or a multinational corporation — must have an IEC (Import Export Code) before making any international trade transaction. The IEC is a 10-digit number issued by DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) and is linked to the applicant's PAN (Permanent Account Number). It is the primary business identifier in India's EXIM regulatory system.

The IEC has been fully digitized and the application is made online through the DGFT portal (dgft.gov.in). The government fee of ₹500 (payable online) is the only mandatory charge — there are no stamp duties, no physical visit requirements, and no paper document submission for most entity types. This simplification has made IEC registration one of the most accessible regulatory procedures in India — typically completed within a few hours to a few working days.

Despite its apparent simplicity, IEC applications frequently fail on first submission due to: PAN-Aadhaar name mismatches (a common problem in the Aadhaar-linked e-KYC process), incorrect bank account details (account number or IFSC errors), wrong entity type selection, incomplete company registration details for corporate applicants, and technical issues with the DGFT portal itself. ISLF's IEC specialists pre-validate all details before submission, ensuring first-time success rates of over 95%.

Step 1 — Create DGFT Portal Account: Visit dgft.gov.in and register as a new user using your email address and mobile number. The portal requires verification through OTP. Once registered, log in and navigate to the 'Services' section to find the e-IEC (electronic Import Export Code) application.

Step 2 — Fill Application Details: The IEC application captures: entity type (individual, proprietorship, partnership, LLP, company, society/trust, government), PAN number (which auto-populates the PAN-verified name from the NSDL database), Aadhaar number (for Aadhaar-based e-KYC authentication for individual/proprietorship applicants), bank account details (account number and IFSC), registered address, branch details (if any), and nature of business/activity. For company applicants, the authorized signatory's details and DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) are required.

Step 3 — Aadhaar e-KYC: For individual and proprietorship applicants, the DGFT portal now requires Aadhaar-based e-KYC (entering the Aadhaar number and authenticating via OTP). The name as per Aadhaar must match the PAN-verified name — mismatches are the most common reason for IEC application failure. ISLF verifies name consistency across PAN and Aadhaar before initiating the application.

Step 4 — Payment and Submission: After completing all sections of the application, pay the ₹500 government fee through the portal's payment gateway (net banking, UPI, debit/credit card). Upon successful payment, submit the application. For individual/proprietorship applicants using Aadhaar e-KYC, the IEC is typically issued automatically within seconds. For corporate applicants requiring DSC authentication, processing takes 3-5 working days.

IEC Modification: As your business evolves, the IEC must be kept current. ISLF manages IEC modifications for all types of changes: adding new branches to the IEC, updating bank account details, changing the registered address, adding authorized signatories, and modifying the contact details. IEC modification carries no government fee — it is a free service on the DGFT portal. Timely modification ensures that customs filings and DGFT scheme applications always reference correct, current business details.

ISLF's IEC service is designed for businesses that want their IEC handled correctly from day one — without the frustration of portal navigation issues, document errors, and rejection cycles. We manage new IEC registrations, annual updation compliance (mandatory between April-June each year), modifications, profile verification, and in cases of IEC de-activation (due to missed annual updation or technical issues), IEC reactivation. Contact ISLF's DGFT team for fast, reliable IEC registration anywhere in India.