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How to download IEC certificate online from the DGFT website?

The IEC certificate allows individuals to import and export from India. In this blog, learn how to download the Importer Exporter Code certificate from the DGFT website.
how-to-download-iec-certificate-online
The import-export industry is thriving in India. Today, thousands of exporters are exporting their high-quality products to new international markets, putting India on the global map as a major export destination. Did you know that merchandise exports from India touched an all-time high of $417.8 billion in 2021-221?

Starting an import-export business involves strategic planning and the requirement of various licenses and documentation. An IEC certificate or Importer Exporter Code certificate is one of the most crucial import-export documents that allows exporters to explore opportunities in new global marketplaces. No individual or business can ship or import products to and from overseas without an IEC, unless they are exempted under special conditions. Once applied and issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), importers and exporters can download their IEC certificate online from the DGFT website.

What is an IEC: Overview

IEC, which stands for Importer Exporter Code, is obtained by a business as part of a commercial transaction to import or export from India. Issued by DGFT, it is a unique identification number that is required by importers and exporters to run a seamless business in international trade. Along with a permit to import/export, an IEC certificate offers numerous benefits to traders. Registered businesses can claim subsidies and other benefits offered by the Customs, Export Promotion Councils or other authorities.

How to download IEC certificate from DGFT website?

Here is a step-by-step guide to download IEC certificate from the DGFT website2.

Step 1

Visit the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) website. In the "Services" menu, click on IEC Profile Management.
Screenshot of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) website.

Step 2

On the IEC Profile Management page, scroll down and click on the Print IEC tab.
Screenshot of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) website.

Step 3

Enter your username and password and the CAPTCHA code and log in.
Screenshot of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) website.

Step 4

Enter the following details on the page:
• PAN number
• Name (as mentioned on the PAN card)
• Date of incorporation of the company (As per the PAN)
• Latest file number without a slash
• Latest file date
Screenshot of the details required page of the DGFT website for IEC certificate download

Step 5

Lastly, click on the 'Print' option on the page to save your IEC certificate in a PDF format and print it later.
Screenshot of the soft copy of the IEC certificate on the DGFT website with a print certificate button on the upper right corner of the web page.

How to print IEC from the DGFT website?

You can print your IEC certificate and use it for various licenses, paperwork and other procedures. Once you enter all your company details on the DGFT website under the IEC profile management section, you can click on the Print tab to print your IEC certificate with your 10-digit IEC number. The recent certificates also contain a unique QR code.

Some of the situations where you might need to submit your IEC certificate are:
• The customs authorities ask for IEC, when the importer needs to clear his shipments from customs
• The bank asks for the IEC when the importer needs to send money to other countries.
• The customs ports ask for IEC from exporters who send their shipments internationally.
• The bank asks for the IEC when the exporters receive foreign currency into their bank account
• IEC is one of the mandatory export documents required when a business owner needs to register with an e-commerce exports program like Amazon Global Selling.

Amazon Global Selling: Expert support to obtain IEC and export from India

Starting an export business from India requires various documents including Authorized Dealer (AD) Code, Importer of Record and GST Letter of Undertaking (LUT). Amazon Global Selling guides exporters to the obtain the necessary export documents by connecting them to respective experts. Whether it is registration, shipping or tax, different licences are required depending on the product category being exported, destination country and origin country – India.
With access to millions of customers shopping on Amazon international marketplaces across 200+ countries and territories, Amazon Global Selling also provides latest tools and programs that simplify the process of obtaining export documents, shipping and delivering products to the customer in the USA, the UK, the UAE, Australia or any other country. With FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon),all that sellers or exporters are required to do is ship their products to Amazon warehouses. Amazon packs and delivers the order to the customer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I obtain an online IEC certificate?
Step 1: Go to the website of the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). Select IEC Profile Management under ‘Services’ in the menu.
Step 2 Scroll down to the Print IEC tab on the IEC Profile Management page.
Step 3: Log in by entering your username, password, and CAPTCHA code.
How can my IEC certificate be verified?
Enter your PAN number and the first three letters of your company’s name to verify the status. The applicant should check the progress of the IEC on the ICEGATE portal after 3 days of submission. If necessary, you may contact Contact@DGFT about the issue.
How long will it take to get an IEC certificate?
An IEC is usually given in 10 working days if the provided documents are authentic. If your company is GST registered, you can substitute for your GSTIN when creating a unique identification.
Published on August 29, 2022.

Sources:
1. https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1812990
2. https://commerce.gov.in/trade-statistics/latest-trade-figures/
3. https://www.dgft.gov.in/CP/?opt=iec-profile-management
4. https://www.dgft.gov.in/CP/?opt=iec-profile-management

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*Map not to scale. The map has been used for design and representational purpose only, it does not depict the geographical boundaries of the country. These do not conform to the external boundaries of India recognized by the Survey of India.
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