Central regulation
Importer Exporter Code (IEC)
Mandatory 10-digit identifier for any person/entity engaging in import or export of goods or services from India. Issued by DGFT on a one-time basis; must be updated annually (April-June) even if no changes.
Definition
Mandatory 10-digit identifier for any person/entity engaging in import or export of goods or services from India. Issued by DGFT on a one-time basis; must be updated annually (April-June) even if no changes.
- SourceForeign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 + Foreign Trade Policy 2023 — Sec 7 FTDR Act; FTP Para 2.05dgft.gov.in
What it means in practice
Importer Exporter Code (IEC) is administered by Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). The obligation is grounded in Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 + Foreign Trade Policy 2023 (Sec 7 FTDR Act; FTP Para 2.05).
Linked to PAN — same 10 digits as PAN. Annual update window is April-June; auto-deactivated otherwise.
- SourceForeign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 + Foreign Trade Policy 2023 — Sec 7 FTDR Act; FTP Para 2.05dgft.gov.in
Triggers (applicability predicates)
These predicates are evaluated by Compliance Radar's applicability engine against a business profile to decide whether this rule applies.
imports_or_exports=true
Deadlines and penalty
Cadence: annual — next action: 2026-06-30
Penalty for default: Customs will not clear consignments without a valid IEC. De-activated IECs can be re-activated only after updating details.
Citations
- SourceForeign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, 1992 + Foreign Trade Policy 2023 — Sec 7 FTDR Act; FTP Para 2.05dgft.gov.in