IEC Registration & the Annual Update — Don't Let Your Code Deactivate

Quick answer: An Import Export Code costs ₹500 once on the DGFT portal and is the same as your PAN. It must be updated — free — every year between 1 April and 30 June, even if nothing changed; an IEC not updated in the window is deactivated and shipments stop at customs until it is reactivated. We register, run the April update on a calendar, and handle AD code and DGFT RA matters.

Last verified 4 October 2026 — rules on this page checked against the current notifications. We update it the day a rule changes.

IEC in one table

Item	Rule
Who needs it	Anyone importing or exporting goods; service exporters when claiming FTP benefits or where the bank/buyer asks
Fee	₹500 one-time (ANF-2A on dgft.gov.in); no renewal fee
Number	Your PAN; one IEC per PAN
Documents	PAN, Aadhaar/DSC of the applicant, bank certificate or cancelled cheque, address proof of the premises; constitution documents for firms/companies
Timeline	Usually issued within 1–3 working days of a clean application
Annual update	1 April – 30 June every year, free — confirm or amend details even if unchanged; outside the window a late fee may apply and the IEC is deactivated until updated
Deactivation	Customs and banks block transactions on a deactivated IEC; reactivation is through the same update, after which status normally restores within a day
AD code	Register your bank's AD code on ICEGATE for each port of export; shipping bills cannot be filed without it
Jurisdiction	DGFT Regional Authority: CLA New Delhi for Delhi-NCR; RA Patna for Bihar — relevant for licences, EODC and amendments beyond the self-service portal

The April–June trap: the IEC update is the most-missed compliance in export businesses because nothing reminds you and nothing changes — until a container is held in July because customs shows the IEC deactivated. We put every client's IEC on an April calendar and file the update whether or not details changed. Build yours into the compliance calendar.

What we do

IEC registration, amendments (address, directors, bank) and the annual update on a calendar
Reactivation of deactivated IECs and clearance of held consignments with customs
AD code registration at each port; ICEGATE and DGFT profile set-up
Onward: LUT and GST refunds, Advance Authorisation / EPCG, RoDTEP (extended to 31 December 2026 by DGFT Notification 41/2026-27), and EPR for importers of packaged goods

Illustrative client engagement — details anonymised.
Client: A Sector 63 Noida electronics importer, first consignment of the year in July.
Situation: IEC deactivated for a missed April–June update; container held at ICD Tughlakabad with demurrage running.
Approach: Filed the annual update the same day, confirmed reactivation on ICEGATE, and coordinated release with the CHA; set the April calendar for all group entities.
Outcome: Released within two working days; no repeat the following year.
Client identity and certain details have been changed or withheld to protect confidentiality. Outcomes depend on individual facts and are not a guarantee of results.

Pre-packed imports: LMPC importer registration is checked at the port.

Talk to us before you file anything

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Frequently asked questions

What is the government fee for IEC registration in 2026?

₹500, paid once on the DGFT portal with the ANF-2A application. There is no renewal fee; the annual update is free within its window.

Does IEC need renewal every year?

Not renewal — an annual update between 1 April and 30 June, confirming or amending your details even if nothing changed. Skip it and the IEC is deactivated.

What happens if I miss the April–June IEC update?

The IEC shows as deactivated on DGFT and ICEGATE; customs will not clear your shipments and banks may hold export remittances. Filing the update (with any late fee applicable) reactivates it, usually within a day.

Is IEC the same as my PAN?

Yes — since 2017 the IEC number is the PAN of the entity; one IEC per PAN. Older 10-digit IECs were migrated to PAN-based numbers.

Do I need an AD code for every port?

Yes — your bank's authorised-dealer code is registered on ICEGATE port by port. Exporting from a new port without it means the shipping bill cannot be generated.

Do service exporters need an IEC?

Not mandatorily for the service itself, but it is required to claim FTP benefits and most banks and overseas clients ask for it. Most NCR IT/ITES exporters hold one.