An Importer -Exporter Code (IEC) is a key business identification number which is mandatory for export from India or Import to India. No export or import shall be made by any person without obtaining an IEC unless specifically exempted. The Director General of Foreign Trade issues the Import Export Code, and it is essentially a 10-digit code that is valid for the lifetime of the business.
DGFT has issued IEC in electronic form (e-IEC). Application for issuance of e-IEC can be made directly on the DGFT web portal. An IEC holder has to ensure that details in its IEC is updated electronically every year, during the period of April to June. In case no changes, same also needs to be confirmed online. IEC will be deactivated if it is not updated within the prescribed time. It will be activated only after the successful updation. IEC holders are required to ensure that any risk flagged by the system is timely addressed; failing which the IEC shall be deactivated.
Step for updation for the existing IEC Holders:
- Go to DGFT website and click on “update IEC” After click on “update IEC”, login tab will open. Put login details if registered. If not then register it first by putting required details.
- Then link your IEC, if not linked yet. To link IEC OTP will be sent on the registered mail ID. After successfully Link, click on “Update/Modified IEC option”.
- After clicking on Update IEC, a tab will pop up which will show your IEC code details. If you want to change any details then changes the details in the respective heads. If there is nothing to change then save every head of information.
- At the end of the process check the application summary and submit it. To submit the summary attach the DSC of registered person.