Whether you are shipping goods or selling software abroad, you cannot do business globally without this 10-digit code.
If you want to send goods out of India or receive money from foreign clients, the first thing your bank and Customs Officer will ask for is your IEC Code. Without it, your shipment gets stuck at the port, and your foreign payments get frozen by the bank.
It is a common myth that only “Big Exporters” need this. In reality, you need IEC if:
Exporters of Goods: You ship physical products (textiles, spices, handicrafts, etc.) outside India.
Importers of Goods: You bring goods into India for commercial resale.
Service Exporters (Freelancers/Agencies): You provide services (IT, Consulting, Design) to foreign clients and receive payments in foreign currency. Banks often demand an IEC to release your FIRC (Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate).
Online Sellers: You sell on Amazon Global, Etsy, or eBay to international customers.
The government recently changed the rules. IEC is no longer a “Apply Once, Forget Forever” license.
The New “Annual Update” Trap: Even if you have an IEC, you MUST update it on the DGFT portal every year between April and June. If you miss this, your IEC is deactivated.
Our Solution: We don’t just apply for you. We remind you every year and handle the mandatory annual update so your business never faces a shutdown.
Step 1: Document Verification Send us your documents via WhatsApp. We verify if your bank details match your PAN (a common reason for rejection).
Step 2: Application Filing We draft your application on the DGFT portal, select the correct product/service category codes, and pay the government fee.
Step 3: Code Issuance The IEC is usually issued instantly or within 24 hours. We email you the digital certificate immediately.
Did you know the government gives you money back for exporting?
For Goods: Schemes like RoDTEP refund the taxes you paid during manufacturing.
For Services: Service exporters can sometimes claim duty credit scrips worth 3-5% of their export revenue.
We ensure your IEC is categorized correctly so you don’t miss out on these free benefits.
The process is 100% online and paperless. We only need scans of:
PAN Card: Of the Individual, Firm, or Company.
Aadhaar Card: Of the Proprietor / Director.
Bank Proof: A Cancelled Cheque OR a Bank Certificate showing the account holder’s name.
Address Proof: Electricity Bill / Rent Agreement of the business premise.
Digital Signature Certificate (DSC): Required for Companies (Pvt Ltd, LLP). For Proprietors, we can often file using Aadhaar OTP.
IEC is just a license number. However, the income you earn from exports is taxable (though often at a lower rate or with exemptions if you file GST correctly).
Yes. If you want to be legally safe and ensure your bank doesn’t block a large incoming payment, having an IEC is mandatory. It creates a “white” channel for foreign income.
The code itself has Lifetime Validity. However, you must update your status annually on the portal (even if there are no changes) to keep it active.
Generally, No. To get an IEC, having a GST number is now preferred. Also, without GST, you cannot claim the “Zero Rated Supply” benefit (paying 0% tax on exports).
