IEC Code 2026: Registration, Verification, Search, Apply and Validity

You want to export or import goods from India. The first document DGFT asks for is an IEC. No shipment clears customs without it. No bank processes a trade remittance without it.

This guide covers the full picture: what the code is, who needs one, how to apply on the DGFT portal, how to verify or search an existing IEC, and the one annual deadline that deactivates your code if you miss it.

What Is an IEC Code?

IEC stands for Importer-Exporter Code. It is a 10-digit unique identification number issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Since the GST rollout in 2017, your IEC number is the same as your PAN number. But that does not mean they are the same thing. PAN is for tax tracking. IEC is a separate trade licence that you must formally activate through a DGFT application before your business can legally import or export.

Without an active IEC, customs will not release your cargo, banks will not process foreign currency transactions, and you cannot claim benefits under India's Foreign Trade Policy (FTP).

Who Needs an IEC Code?

Any person or business in India that imports or exports goods or services needs an IEC. The law does not care about your business size.

You need an IEC if you:

●        File a shipping bill or bill of entry at Indian customs

●        Receive foreign currency into your Indian bank account against exports

●        Send money abroad through an authorised bank for trade payments

●        Want to claim export incentives or benefits under FTP schemes like RoDTEP or MEIS

●        Register with an Export Promotion Council

 

A few categories are exempt. Government departments, persons importing or exporting goods for personal use (not for trade), and importers or exporters covered under specific FTP notifications do not need an IEC. Everyone else does.

Service exporters and freelancers often ask whether they need an IEC. The answer depends on what they want. If you receive foreign remittances through a bank and do not claim FTP benefits, you can often operate without one. The moment you want to claim incentives or export regulated services, you need it.

IEC Code Registration Online

The DGFT portal (dgft.gov.in) handles all IEC applications online. There is no physical application or offline process in 2026.

Eligibility

Any Indian citizen or Indian-registered business entity with a valid PAN can apply. There is no minimum turnover or experience requirement. A student who wants to start exporting handmade goods from home can apply on the same form as a large company.

One PAN gets one IEC. You cannot hold two IEC codes simultaneously.

Documents Required

The core set is the same for all entity types. Only the constitution document changes based on your business structure.

Fees

Application fee: Rs 500 (one-time, non-refundable). Paid through the Bharatkosh payment gateway via net banking, debit card, UPI, or credit card.

Annual update fee: Free if you are only confirming that details are unchanged. Rs 200 applies if you are modifying address, bank account, or director details.

There is no recurring government fee after registration.

Step-by-Step Registration Process

Step 1: Go to dgft.gov.in. Click on "Services" in the top menu, then select "IEC Profile Management."

Step 2: Register as a new user if you do not have a DGFT account. Enter your PAN, email, and mobile number. Verify with OTP and set a password.

Step 3: Log in and click "Apply for IEC" on your dashboard. This opens Form ANF-2A.

Step 4: Fill in your business information. This includes business name, constitution type (proprietorship, LLP, company, etc.), bank account details, and branch details if applicable.

Step 5: Upload scanned documents. File size and format requirements are shown on the portal. Keep scans clear and readable.

Step 6: Sign the application. Proprietors can use Aadhaar e-Sign (OTP-based, no DSC needed). Companies and LLPs must use a Class 3 DSC.

Step 7: Pay Rs 500 through the Bharatkosh payment gateway. Download the payment receipt.

Step 8: Submit. DGFT reviews the application and documents. Approval typically takes 1 to 3 working days if everything is in order.

Step 9: Download your IEC certificate from the DGFT portal once approved. It is also sent to your registered email. 

How to Apply for IEC Code?

Applications go through the DGFT portal only. Walk-in or paper-based applications are not accepted.

The portal address is dgft.gov.in. You do not need a CA or lawyer to apply. The form is straightforward. Most applicants who have all documents ready complete the application in 20 to 30 minutes.

Common mistakes that cause rejection or delays:

●        Name mismatch between PAN, bank account, and the application form

●        Uploading unclear or cropped scans

●        Bank account that does not deal in foreign exchange (some savings accounts are restricted)

●        Using an outdated mobile number not linked to your Aadhaar (for proprietors using Aadhaar e-Sign)

●        Entering the wrong bank IFSC code

If DGFT raises a query, you get a notice in your portal inbox. Respond with the corrected document within the time allowed. Unanswered queries can lead to rejection.

Need help registering your business first?  proprietorship-registration

IEC Code Verification Online

IEC verification means checking whether a given IEC is active, inactive, or suspended. Buyers, freight forwarders, banks, and customs brokers verify IEC status before processing any trade transaction.

How to Verify IEC

You can verify any IEC without logging in to the DGFT portal.

Step 1: Go to dgft.gov.in.

Step 2: Click "Services" in the top navigation bar.

Step 3: Select "IEC Profile Management" from the dropdown.

Step 4: Click "Know Your IEC Status." No login needed here.

Step 5: Enter the 10-digit IEC number (or PAN) and the registered mobile number or email linked to the IEC.

Step 6: The portal shows the current status: Active, Suspended, or Deactivated.

For a deeper check, go to Services > View Any IEC Details. Enter the IEC number and the first three letters of the firm name. Enter the captcha. The system shows real-time status and registered details.

What Details Can Be Checked?

●        IEC status (Active / Suspended / Deactivated)

●        Business name registered with DGFT

●        Business constitution type

●        ICEGATE linkage status (whether the IEC is accepted by customs)

●        Registered address

How to Search IEC Code?

You may need to find an IEC number when you have lost your certificate, or when you want to check a supplier's or buyer's IEC before doing business with them.

IEC Search on DGFT Portal

Go to dgft.gov.in. Under Services, click "View Any IEC Details." Enter either the IEC number or the PAN. The system pulls up the registered details.

If you know the firm name but not the IEC number, enter the first three letters of the firm name along with any other available information. The portal will show matching records.

IEC Search by Name

There is no full free-text name search on the DGFT portal. The system requires at least the IEC number or PAN, or the first three letters of the registered firm name combined with other identifiers.

If you are a buyer trying to verify a supplier's IEC, ask them to share their IEC certificate (downloadable from DGFT). Then verify the IEC number shown on the certificate using the public search.

How to Find Your Own IEC Number

Your IEC number is the same as your PAN. So if you have registered an IEC, your PAN is your IEC. The IEC certificate available on the DGFT portal confirms this formally.

Log in to dgft.gov.in. Go to IEC Profile Management. Click "View IEC Profile." Your IEC number, status, and full registration details are shown.

If you have forgotten your DGFT portal password, reset it using your registered email and mobile number through the portal's "Forgot Password" option.

IEC Code Login - DGFT Portal Access

DGFT Login Process

Go to dgft.gov.in. Click the "Login" button at the top right corner.

Enter your registered email ID or mobile number and your password. Verify with OTP if prompted.

New users must register first using their PAN, email, and mobile number.

If your IEC was issued before the DGFT portal migrated to its current version (around 2021), you may need to link your existing IEC to your new portal account. Use the PAN-based linking option on the login page.

IEC Profile Access After Login

Once logged in, your dashboard shows:

●        Your IEC number and current status

●        Pending actions (annual update due, queries from DGFT, etc.)

●        Option to modify IEC details

●        Option to download the IEC certificate

●        Application history

The same portal login is used for IEC registration, annual update, modification, and download. There is no separate IEC-specific login.

IEC Code Validity

Does IEC Expire?

No, IEC does not expire. It has lifetime validity from the date of issue.

But there is a condition. You must confirm your IEC details on the DGFT portal every year. Miss that window and DGFT automatically deactivates your code. A deactivated IEC means your shipments get blocked at customs, your bank stops processing trade remittances, and any pending export incentive claims freeze.

The code itself does not die. But it goes dormant until you complete the overdue update.

Annual Update / Compliance Requirement

Under DGFT Notification No. 58/2015-2020 (effective from February 2021), every IEC holder must log in and update or confirm their profile once a year.

The window opens on 1 April and closes on 30 June every year.

For FY 2025-26, the update deadline was 30 June 2026. The next window opens 1 April 2027.

How to Check IEC Status

Go to dgft.gov.in > Services > IEC Profile Management > Know Your IEC Status.

No login needed. Enter your IEC number or PAN and linked mobile or email. The portal shows whether your code is Active, Suspended, or Deactivated.

A status showing "Registered by DGFT & Accepted by ICEGATE" means fully active. Anything else requires action before your next shipment.

IEC Code for Different Business Types

Proprietorship

A sole proprietor applies using their individual PAN. The IEC is issued in the proprietor's name (as the firm name). No separate firm registration document is required, because the proprietor's PAN, identity proof, and address proof are sufficient.

Proprietors can sign the application using Aadhaar e-Sign, which means no DSC is needed. This makes IEC registration fast and inexpensive for small traders and first-time exporters.

Partnership Firm

The IEC is issued in the firm's name. A registered partnership deed is required. The managing partner signs the application. The bank account must be in the firm's name.

Class 3 DSC is not mandatory for all partnership firms, but some DGFT offices may ask for it based on the transaction profile.

LLP

LLPs need the Certificate of Incorporation issued by the Registrar of Companies, along with the LLP PAN and a Class 3 DSC of a designated partner. The IEC is issued in the LLP's name. The bank account must be in the LLP's name.

Private Limited Company

The IEC is issued in the company's name. Required: Certificate of Incorporation under the Companies Act 2013, company PAN, bank account in the company's name, and a Class 3 DSC of an authorised director.

Directors are listed in the application. Changes in directors must be updated on the DGFT portal through a modification request.

Individual

An individual (not running a formal business) can apply using their personal PAN and Aadhaar. The IEC is issued in their name. Individuals who export handicrafts, agricultural goods, or services directly can operate under an individual IEC.

One thing to know: if you later register a business (proprietorship, LLP, or company), that new entity needs its own separate IEC. The individual IEC does not transfer.

Common IEC Problems and Solutions

IEC Code vs IEC Certificate

These two terms confuse a lot of first-time applicants. Here is the difference.

The IEC code is the 10-digit number itself. It is the same as your PAN.

The IEC certificate is the formal document that DGFT issues confirming that your IEC has been registered and is active. It shows your business name, address, PAN, and registration date.

For practical trade purposes, what customs and banks need is the IEC number plus an active status on the DGFT portal. The certificate is a supporting document. You can download it anytime from the DGFT portal by logging in and clicking "Print IEC" or "Download IEC Certificate."

When a buyer or customs broker asks to verify your IEC, they check the IEC number on the DGFT verification tool. They are not looking at the printed certificate. The live status on the portal is what matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is IEC mandatory for all exporters?

Yes. Any business or individual exporting goods or services from India needs an IEC, with limited exceptions (government departments, personal-use imports, certain notified categories). Service exporters who only receive foreign remittances without claiming FTP benefits sometimes operate without one, but they lose access to all export incentive schemes.

How long does it take to get an IEC code?

DGFT typically issues the IEC within 1 to 3 working days after successful online submission. If DGFT raises a query on your application, the timeline extends until you respond. Total trade-readiness (including AD Code registration at your bank and ICEGATE linking) can take 5 to 10 working days.

Can I apply for IEC without a current account?

A savings account can work if it handles foreign exchange transactions. Practically, most banks require a current account for trade transactions. Check with your bank. The DGFT portal does not explicitly restrict savings accounts, but ICEGATE and AD Code registration at banks often require a current account.

What happens if I miss the IEC annual update?

Your IEC gets automatically deactivated on 1 July. Customs will not clear your shipments. Banks will block trade remittances. You can reactivate by completing the overdue update on the DGFT portal. There is no late penalty fee, but there is no guarantee DGFT will not take other compliance action for the period of non-compliance.

Can a proprietor apply for IEC without a DSC?

Yes. Proprietors and individual applicants can sign their IEC application using Aadhaar OTP-based e-Sign. No Digital Signature Certificate is needed. Companies and LLPs must use a Class 3 DSC.

Is there a difference between IEC and PAN after GST?

The number is the same. But they are different registrations with different purposes. PAN is your tax identity. IEC is your trade licence. You still need to formally apply for IEC on the DGFT portal even though the code that gets issued equals your PAN. You cannot use a PAN in place of an IEC for customs clearance.

Can I modify my IEC details after registration?

Yes. Log in to the DGFT portal and go to IEC Profile Management > Update/Modify IEC. Changes to address, bank account, or director details can be made here. A fee of Rs 200 applies for modifications. Use your Aadhaar e-Sign (for proprietors) or Class 3 DSC (for companies and LLPs) to authenticate the changes.

How do I check if an IEC is fake or expired?

Go to dgft.gov.in > Services > View Any IEC Details. Enter the IEC number and the first three letters of the firm name. The portal shows real-time status. If the status is Active and the firm name matches what you were told, the IEC is genuine. There is no such thing as an "expired" IEC (IEC has lifetime validity), but it can be deactivated or suspended.

Can an NRI or foreign national apply for IEC?

Only Indian residents and Indian-registered entities can hold an IEC. An NRI with a valid Indian PAN and an Indian bank account can apply as an individual. Foreign nationals and foreign companies cannot directly hold an IEC. They need to incorporate an Indian entity (such as a subsidiary or LLP) first.

What is the difference between IEC deactivation and cancellation?

Deactivation is temporary. It happens automatically if you miss the annual update. You can reactivate by completing the update on the DGFT portal. Cancellation is permanent. It happens when a business closes, voluntarily surrenders the IEC, or DGFT revokes it for compliance violations. A cancelled IEC cannot be reactivated.

Author

Omprakash Kumawat is an SEO & Content Specialist at Legal Dev. He combines his expertise in digital marketing and legal tech to write highly researched, engaging content on GST, taxation, and business compliance.