Import Export Code Registration
One-time registration for import and export

IEC is gateway to international trade

Any business importing/exporting goods generally needs IEC. Some service exporters need IEC for benefits or specific banking/compliance situations.

Situations this page is built for

• New exporter/importer applying first IEC.
• Business updating directors, address or bank.
• Freelancer/service exporter checking IEC need.
• IEC deactivated due to missed annual update.

Documents required

• Business PAN.
• Aadhaar/passport of proprietor/director.
• Establishment proof.
• Cancelled cheque or bank certificate.
• DSC or Aadhaar OTP access.

Process

How to use this page safely

Import Export Code Registration can depend on the financial year, notification date, state, turnover, product/service classification, portal status, documentation and prior filings.

Use this page as preparation guidance. Before filing, registering, responding to notices, changing rates, or making tax decisions, share exact invoices, notices, portal screenshots, dates and amounts with a qualified professional.

A strong WorkIndex quote should clearly state scope, assumptions, records needed, timeline, exclusions, correction support and whether follow-up with department/portal is included.

If a rule changed recently, ask the expert to identify the specific circular, notification, portal advisory or department guidance they are relying on, because search snippets and older articles often keep stale thresholds or forms online.

How to compare WorkIndex responses

• Ask whether the expert has handled this exact service, industry, product category or portal workflow before.
• Confirm whether the quote includes filing only, advisory only, or also reconciliation, correction, response drafting and follow-up.
• Prefer experts who ask for records before final pricing instead of quoting blindly.
• For urgent matters, include statutory deadline, notice/order date, current portal status and financial exposure.
• Keep acknowledgement, computation, challan, report, working papers and communication trail after completion.

Keep these ready before requesting quotes

• PAN, Aadhaar, GSTIN, TAN, CIN, LLPIN, IEC, FSSAI number, DSC, Udyam or registration number as applicable.
• Portal login access or screenshots from Income Tax, GST, MCA, DGFT, FSSAI/FoSCoS, e-way bill, ICEGATE or state labour portals.
• Previous filings, acknowledgements, challans, certificates, orders, notices, audit reports and working papers.
• Bank statements, invoices, contracts, payroll records, books export, product catalogues, HSN/SAC mapping, transaction reports or project documents relevant to the case.
• A short written summary of what happened, what deadline exists, what help you need and whether support can be remote or must be local.

How to get better quotes faster

• Mention whether you need one-time filing, urgent correction, registration, calculator review, audit, monthly retainer, appeal, technology build or advisory review.
• Add approximate transaction count, employee count, turnover range, number of filings/years pending, and any notice deadline so experts can size the work properly.
• For GST 2.0 pages, share the exact HSN/SAC, old rate charged, new rate you believe applies, invoice period and whether customers already claimed ITC.
• For developer/marketing pages, share existing URL, scope, integrations, design readiness, budget range and maintenance expectation.
• For tax and GST disputes, upload or summarise the section/form/order number, demand amount, date of service, due date and current portal status before asking for a quote.

FAQs

Does service exporter need IEC?

Not always, but IEC may be needed for benefits or specific export compliance.

Is IEC same as GST?

No. IEC is DGFT trade code; GST is indirect tax registration.

Can WorkIndex bundle IEC, LUT and refund?

Yes. Mention goods/services export and current GST status.