If you are in business of Importing and Exporting of goods in India, it mandatory to have 10 digit Import Export Code. Many a times Import Export Code is abbreviated as IEC. Import Export Code is required for all persons or enterprises involved in Import or Export of goods. Import Export Code is issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industries, Government of India. Import Export Code has Lifetime Validity.

IEC PROCESS
Process Takes around 5-7 working days once complete Documents shared.
FEE:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
TIME TAKEN:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

• Digital Photograph (3x3cms) of the Proprietor.
• Copy of PAN card of the Proprietor
• Copy of Passport (first & last page)/Voter’s I-Card/ Driving Licence/UID (Aadhar card) (any one of these).
• Sale deed in case business premise is self-owned; or Rental/Lease Agreement, in the case the office is rented/ leased; or latest electricity /telephone bill.

• Digital Photograph (3x3cms) of the Managing Partner.
• Copy of Passport (first & last page)/Voter’s I-Card /UID (Aadhar Card) /Driving Licence/PAN (any one of these) of the Managing Partner signing the application.
• Copy of Partnership Deed.
• Sale deed in case business premise is self-owned; or Rental/Lease Agreement, in case of office is rented/ leased; or latest electricity /telephone bill.
• Bank Certificate as per ANF 2A (I)/Cancelled Cheque bearing preprinted name of the applicant entity and A/C No.

• Digital Photograph (3x3cms) of the Designated Partner/Director of the Company signing the application.
• Copy of PAN card of the applicant entity.
• Copy of Passport (first & last page)/Voter’s I-Card /UID (Aadhar Card) /Driving Licence/ PAN (any one of these) of the Managing Partner/Director signing the application.
• Certificate of incorporation as issued by the RoC
• Sale deed in case business premise is self-owned; or Rental/Lease Agreement, in case of office is rented/ leased; or latest electricity or telephone bill.
• Bank Certificate as per ANF 2 A(I)/Cancelled Cheque bearing preprinted name of the company and A/C No.

• Digital Photograph (3x3cms) of the signatory applicant/Secretary or Chief Executive.
• Copy of Passport (first & last page)/Voter’s I-Card /UID (Aadhar Card) /Driving Licence/ PAN (any one of these) of the Secretary or Chief Executive/ Managing Trustee signing the application.
• Sale deed in case business premise is self-owned; or Rental/Lease Agreement, in case of office is rented/ leased; or latest electricity /telephone bill.
• Registration Certificate of the Society / Copy of the Trust Deed.
• Bank Certificate as per ANF 2A(I)/Cancelled Cheque bearing preprinted name of the Registered Society or Trust and A/C No.

• Digital Photograph (3x3cms) of the Karta.
• Copy of PAN card of the Karta.
• Copy of Passport (first & last page)/Voter’s I-Card/ UID (Aadhar card)/ Driving Licence (any one of these) of the Karta.
• Sale deed in case business premise is self-owned or Rental/Lease Agreement, in case the office is rented/ leased or latest electricity /telephone bill.
• Bank Certificate as per ANF 2A(I)/ Cancelled Cheque bearing pre printed name of the applicant and A/C No.

Step1: Go to DGFT website
Go to DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) website or click on www.dgft.gov.in There’s an option for ‘Quick Links’ at the left side of the page. In this section, you need to click on the option ‘Apply for New Import Export Code (IEC)/ Modify existing IEC.’
Step2: Enter your PAN (Permanent Account Number)
Once you’re done with the above step, you will be directed to the next page. In this page, you will be asked to enter your PAN. Then, click on the ‘Search’ option. In case, you have entered the incorrect PAN, click on ‘Reset’ button.
Step3: Enter details for PAN verification
Again you will be directed to a page where you need to enter the following details:
1. Name (as in PAN);
2. Date of Birth/Incorporation;
3. Captcha Code.
Once you have entered the details correctly, click on Submit. Any wrong detail on the PAN served site will lead to authentication failure.
Step4: Status of PAN verification

If the details are valid, a message will be displayed on the screen saying stating that your PAN has been verified. The next step is to click on ‘Proceed.’ Step5: Login for fresh IEC application

For fresh IEC application, you need to provide your email address and mobile number. On the right-hand side, you have to enter the Captcha code and then click on ‘Generate OTP.’

Step6: Enter the OTP

An OTP will be sent to your email address as well as your mobile number. Enter the OTP and click on Submit. In case, you haven’t received any OTP, click on ‘Regenerate OTP.’

Step7: E-commerce number generated, Update Master Data

Once you click the Submit button after entering OTP, you will find a 20 digit E-commerce number on the screen. On the right side of the screen, you are required to enter the following details:

• Entity Name;

• Entity Address;

• City;

• State, District, PIN code,

• Mobile number and email address, as provided earlier;

• Name on PAN card, PAN, Date of Incorporation;

• Nature of Concern such as Proprietorship, LLP, Private Limited, Public Limited, Govt. Undertaking, etc;

• Preferred activity such as Merchant Exporter, Manufacturer Exporter, Service provider, etc;

• Bank account no., Account holder name, etc;

• Applicant details and more.

Step8: Update Branch Details

On clicking Update and Save, you will be directed to a new page. Here, you have to fill the Branch Detail of the Firm. The information to be filled are:

• Branch SI. No;

• Address of the Branch along with the city, state, and district;

• 6 digit PIN.

Then, click on Add Button and you will be directed to another page.

Step9: Update the details of Director/Proprietor/Partner/Karta/Managing Trustee

In this page, you have to provide the details of Directors, partners, etc. The required details are as follows:

1. Director SI. No;

2. DIN (Director Identification Number);

3. Name, PAN, Date of Birth, etc.;

4. Address;

5. Mobile Number;

6. Aadhaar Card Number and other information as asked.

Again, click on ‘ADD.’

Step10: Upload Documents

Now, you will land on the page where you are supposed to upload documents such as Address proof and Cancelled cheque or Bank certificate. The document to upload should be either in PDF format or in the form of GIF. Then, click on Upload File.

Note: Size of the document must not exceed 5MB.

In address proof, you can use the following documents:

• Sale Deed;

• Rent Agreement;

• Lease Deed;

• Mobile Post-paid bill;

• MOU (Memorandum of Understanding);

• Electricity Bill;

• Telephone Landline bill;

• Partnership Deed.

Other acceptable documents are Passport, Voter ID, and Aadhaar Card but only for Proprietorship.

Also note that, in case, the name of the applicant firm isn’t present in the address proof, then the applicant must submit a NOC (No-Objection Certificate) in favour of the firm along with address proof in a PDF format.

Step11: Fee Payment and Fee Verification

After you have uploaded the document, you need to pay the required Fee. Once you have submitted the fees, verify it.

Step12: Preview and Print Application

Before proceeding to the final submission of the application, you need to preview the entire details you have filled. After you have verified it and found it correct, click on Print Application.

Step13: Final submission of the application

Finally, you would be able to submit the application by clicking on Submit. You can submit the application either using Digital Signature or without Digital Signature.

After submission, you can check the status of the application by entering your PAN.

BENEFITS OF IEC:

• Open International Market IEC helps you in taking your organization and products to the worldwide market and develop your organizations. You can also sell your products on international platforms

• Product scaling and Increased Revenue there will be a vast increase in the revenue of the organization

• Several benefits are availed the organization and various companies can avail several benefits from DGFT, customs, etc as per the IEC registration. On Exports the organization can claim tax benefits as well

• Filing of return is not required IEC does not require the recording of any profits. When allocated, there isn't any necessity to pursue any kind of procedures for supporting its legitimacy. Notwithstanding for fare exchanges, there isn't any necessity for recording any profits with DGFT

• Easiest procedure It is genuinely simple to acquire IEC code from the DGFT inside a time of 10 to 15 days subsequent to presenting the application. There isn't any need to give a proof of any fare or import for getting IEC code

• No need of any renewal IEC code is successful for the lifetime of a substance and requires no recharging. It could also be utilized by a substance against all fare and import exchanges

Login with your user credential and select apply for license/Registration from the Tab License/registration and proceed. Follow the following steps -

1. Firstly you should accept the undertaking.
2. Select the state where your premise of food business situated.
3. Confirm yes if you have premises in more than one state otherwise select No.
4. If selected yes at step 2 and you are applying for Head Office/Registered office select yes. If you have premise in more than one state but you are not applying for Head Office/Registered office then select No
5. If you selected yes at step 4 and you have other food business from Head Office/Registered office select yes. Proceed for next step.
6. If selected No at step 3. Proceed for next step.
7. Select Kind of business.
8. Select the turnover or installed capacity.
9. Furnished the details as address of registered office, premise of business, person in-charge of operation, person complying with condition of license and products details etc.
10. Upload the supporting documents.
11. Pay the fees.(online in case of central license, for state license/ registration payment mode may be online or offline via challan etc.)
12. Print Form B and sign the same. after scanning this form upload it and acknowledgement will be generated .

• Form A or Form B (Form – A for Basic FSSAI Registration & Form – B for State or Central FSSAI Registration) – complete and signed,
• 2 Passport Sized Latest Photographs,
• PAN Card of the Business Owner/Proprietor/Partner/Director,
• Proof of Possession of the Premises (Property Papers-if property is owned, Utility bills (Electricity or water) or Rent Agreement – if property is rented),
• Partnership Deed,
• Certificate of Incorporation or Articles of Association (AoA) for a company,
• A complete list of food items the business will be involved in,
• An FSMS (Food Safety Management System) plan (applicable for FSSAI State or Central Food License only).

• A complete and signed Form – B,
• Details of the Owner/Proprietor/Partners/Directors. With their Photo ID, Address Proofs, and Photographs,
• The proposed layout of the location, and the planned placement of the equipment,
• Possession Proof of that building/premises,
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the owners. Along with their details, such as name & address,
• Copy of License from the Manufacturers of the Equipment,
• List and Details of the Equipment already installed or planned to be installed at the premises,
• All Food Products and their categories that are planned to be produced,
• d System for Food Safety Management (FSMS).

a. Address Proof:
Electricity Bill, Telephone Bill (Fixed Line Only) or Gas Bill (not older than 2 months) in the name of the Owner of Address.
Tax Paid Receipt or Copy of Registered Sale Deed
b. No-Objection letter from the Owner of Address to use the address ad Registered office of the Company.
c. Rent Agreement/lease deed if the premises is taken on rent or lease.
d. Ownership Proof if the premises is held by any of the director or subscriber and he is not charging the rent.
Section 10 A of the act says that the director of a company needs to file INC 20A with ROC stating that every subscriber to MOA have paid the value of shares agreed to be taken. A bank statement also needs to attached. The form needs to be filed within 180 days of incorporation. If found ok the Registrar will issue Certificate of Commencement of Business.

• A completed and signed Form – B,
• Details of the Owner/Proprietor, Partners or Directors. With their Photo ID, Photographs and Address Proofs,
• Proof of Annual Turnover,
• The layout of the proposed location, along with the planned installation and placement of the equipment,
• Proof of Possession for the building/premises,
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the owners, along with their other details, such as name & address,
• Copy of License from the Manufacturers of the Machinery & Equipment,
• List and Details of the equipment already installed or proposed to be installed at the location,
• All Food Products and/or categories that are planned to be produced,
• Planned Food Safety Management System (FSMS),
• Water Report Analysis by an accredited Laboratory,
• Source of procurement for Milk, Meat & its processing unit, as applicable,
• NOC (No Objection Certificate) from the Local Authority, as applicable,
• If the FBO is engaged in Mineral or Carbonated water, then Pesticide Residual Report by a Government Accredited Laboratory,
• Import-Export Code (IEC), if applicable,
• Certificate from the Ministry of Tourism, if applicable,
• Proof of Turnover for Vehicles, as may apply to the line of business,
• No Objection Certificate (NOC) from FSSAI.