Your gateway to cross-border trade, in 1-3 days.
Under Section 7 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, no person can import or export from India without an Importer-Exporter Code. 10-digit code, identical to your entity's PAN post-GST. Government fee ₹500 one-time via Bharatkosh. Lifetime validity — no renewal ever. Unlocks RoDTEP (0.3-4.3%), Duty Drawback, Advance Authorisation, EPCG scheme, and Amazon Global Selling / eBay / Alibaba onboarding. Full trade-ready stack (IEC + AD Code + ICEGATE) in 5-10 working days.
- DGFT portal registration + PAN-linked IEC activation
- ANF-2A application filing with digital signature
- Government fee ₹500 via Bharatkosh gateway
- IEC certificate download in 1-3 working days
- AD Code registration guidance (with your bank)
- ICEGATE customs portal setup walkthrough
What is IEC and why every exporter/importer needs it
In one line: statutory gateway to cross-border trade — without it, customs blocks every shipment and banks refuse every foreign currency transaction.
Import Export Code (IEC) is a 10-digit unique alphanumeric code issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. Governed by Section 7 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992.
Post-GST reform (2017): Your IEC number is identical to your entity's PAN. One PAN → one IEC. But you still need a formal DGFT application via ANF-2A to "activate" the IEC on the DGFT portal and create your Importer-Exporter Profile.
What IEC unlocks:
- Customs clearance for every import and export shipment
- Foreign inward remittance via banks with FIRC + BRC certificates
- Export incentives: RoDTEP, RoSCTL, Duty Drawback, Advance Authorisation, EPCG
- International marketplaces: Amazon Global, eBay, Etsy, Walmart, Alibaba
- Payment gateways: PayPal, Stripe, Payoneer for foreign clients beyond ₹5L/yr
- Trade finance: Letters of Credit, Bank Guarantees, Packing Credit
One condition: Free annual profile update on DGFT portal between 1 April and 30 June every year. Miss the window = automatic deactivation.
Choose IEC if you...
- You import goods — raw materials, machinery, finished products, samples for any purpose
- You export goods — physical products to any country, including e-commerce exports via Amazon Global / eBay
- You export services — SaaS, IT, consultancy, freelancing to foreign clients receiving in USD/EUR/GBP
- You want to claim export incentives — RoDTEP, RoSCTL, Advance Authorisation, EPCG, Duty Drawback
- You want lifetime validity, one-time fee — no renewal, no annual government fee (only annual profile update)
- You want to be trade-ready in 5-10 days — IEC + AD Code + ICEGATE = customs can clear your first shipment
Skip IEC if you...
- You're only trading domestically within India — GST alone is sufficient, no IEC needed
- You're a services exporter earning less than $1,000/yr and covered under RBI's FEMA declaration exemption
- You're a Central/State Govt department, charitable organisation notified by RBI, or personal-use importer — exempt from IEC (specific categories under FTP)
- You're only importing gifts/samples under the Postal/Courier Import scheme (under ₹5,000)
What IEC actually delivers
Every benefit tied to a specific statute or DGFT notification — not marketing, statutory rights.
Section 7 Legal Mandate
Under Section 7 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992: "no person shall make any import or export except under an Importer-Exporter Code Number granted by the Director General or the officer authorised". Customs will not clear any shipment without IEC. Banks will not process foreign currency remittances without IEC. This is the statutory gateway to cross-border trade.
Lifetime Validity · One-Time ₹500 Fee
IEC has lifetime validity — issued once, never expires. Government fee is a flat ₹500 one-time (reduced from ₹1,000 via DGFT Public Notice dated 30.07.2021). Only mandatory action is a free annual update on DGFT portal between 1 April and 30 June each year to prevent deactivation.
Export Incentive Unlock
IEC is the key that unlocks every export benefit scheme: RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products), RoSCTL (Textiles), Duty Drawback, Advance Authorisation, EPCG (Export Promotion Capital Goods), SEIS for services (where applicable). Without IEC, zero incentives — with IEC, potentially 2-8% back on export value.
International Marketplace Access
IEC unlocks seller onboarding on Amazon Global Selling, eBay, Etsy, Walmart Marketplace, Alibaba, Shopify Payments (foreign). Payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, Payoneer, Skrill require IEC for foreign inward remittance beyond ₹5 lakh/year threshold. Freelancers exporting services to USD-paying clients also need IEC once cumulative FIRC exceeds threshold.
IEC = PAN (Post-GST Simplification)
Since 2017 GST reforms, your IEC number is identical to your entity's PAN. One PAN → one IEC. This simplified reconciliation with GST returns, income tax filings, and RBI reporting. But you still need a formal DGFT application to "activate" the IEC and create your Importer-Exporter Profile on the DGFT portal.
Trade Finance + Bank Access
Banks require IEC to open a current account for import/export, register the AD Code (Authorised Dealer Code) with customs, offer Letters of Credit (LC), Bank Guarantees, Buyer's Credit, Packing Credit (Pre/Post-shipment finance). Without IEC, no cross-border transactions can be booked in any Indian bank's trade finance system.
Coming soon: the full IEC + trade-ready flow — in 2 minutes
From DGFT portal signup to Amazon Global onboarding.
3-stage IEC + trade-ready flow
Teal = DGFT (Days 1-3). Gold = Trade-ready stack (Days 4-10). Green = ongoing compliance + incentive claims.
WhatsApp us your basics
PAN, business type, activity (import / export goods or services), bank details, address. Free eligibility check within business hours.
Portal signup + application
Register on dgft.gov.in as importer/exporter with PAN + email + mobile OTP. Fill ANF-2A with business + bank details. Upload documents. Sign with DSC or Aadhaar e-sign. Pay ₹500 via Bharatkosh.
IEC certificate issued
DGFT auto-verifies with CBDT (PAN) + Customs databases. Certificate emailed as digitally-signed PDF. Also downloadable from portal under "Print IEC".
Bank AD Code registration
Bank issues 14-digit AD Code linking your branch to Customs. Enables foreign currency inward remittance. Usually FREE. Register at every port you ship from.
Customs portal setup
Register on icegate.gov.in with IEC + AD Code + Class 3 DSC. Enables filing of Shipping Bills (exports) + Bills of Entry (imports). Approval 3-5 days.
Annual profile update
Free update on DGFT portal between 1 April and 30 June every year. Confirm entity details, address, bank, authorised signatory. Missing = auto-deactivation.
Eligibility — 6 checkpoints
Documents you'll need
Minimal document set. Most importantly: PAN + address + bank must all match perfectly.
Entity Identity
- PAN of the entity (or individual PAN for sole proprietor)
- Certificate of Incorporation / Partnership Deed / LLP Agreement
- GSTIN (if registered — highly recommended)
- Aadhaar of authorised signatory (for e-sign verification)
- Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) — for companies/LLPs
Business Address
- Electricity / gas / telephone bill (not older than 2 months)
- Rent agreement + NOC from property owner (if rented)
- Sale deed / property tax receipt (if owned)
- Business PAN + GST address match verification
Bank + Trade
- Bank certificate on letterhead OR cancelled cheque
- Current account name matching entity PAN name
- Bank IFSC + account number + branch address
- Passport-size photo of authorised signatory (JPEG, <2 MB)
- Board resolution authorising IEC filing (companies + LLPs)
- Contact details: email + mobile (for DGFT OTP)
Calculate your IEC cost + potential export incentives
Pick your package + project export volume + product category. Live estimate of annual RoDTEP + Duty Drawback recoverable.
IEC vs GST vs FSSAI vs Trademark · Which trade credential unlocks what?
4 different ministries, 4 different portals, 4 different purposes. IEC is the trade one. Others are complementary.
| Criteria | IEC (DGFT) | GSTIN (CBIC) | FSSAI Central | Trademark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Governing law | FTDR Act 1992 | CGST Act 2017 | FSS Act 2006 | Trade Marks Act 1999 |
| Regulator | DGFT (Commerce Ministry) | CBIC (Finance Ministry) | FSSAI (Health Ministry) | CGPDTM (Commerce Ministry) |
| Purpose | Cross-border trade | Domestic tax registration | Food safety credential | Brand protection |
| Number format | 10-digit (same as PAN) | 15-digit | 14-digit | 7-digit application no. |
| Government fee | ₹500 one-time | FREE | ₹100-7,500/yr | ₹4,500-₹9,000 per class |
| Validity | Lifetime | Continuous (with filings) | Perpetual (2026) | 10 yr renewable |
| Timeline | 1-3 working days | 3-7 working days | 48hr (Basic) - 90 days | 12-18 months |
| Annual compliance | Free profile update (Apr-Jun) | Monthly/quarterly returns | Form D by 31 May | None (until renewal) |
| Mandatory for imports/exports? | ✓ Yes — customs blocks without it | ✓ Yes (for goods) | Only for food | No (recommended for brand) |
| Portal | dgft.gov.in | gst.gov.in | foscos.fssai.gov.in | ipindia.gov.in |
| Our fee | ₹2,000 | ₹2,500 | ₹2,000 (Basic) | ₹6,000 |
IEC alone is not trade-ready — here's the full stack
Most competitors sell just IEC. But IEC without AD Code + ICEGATE = customs blocks your first shipment. Here's the complete 5-10 day sequence.
From certificate to annual update — 4 must-do dates
3 setup milestones (AD Code + ICEGATE + first shipping bill), 1 ongoing (Apr-Jun annual update).
IEC certificate issued by DGFT
DGFT processes ANF-2A applications in 1-3 working days. IEC certificate is emailed as e-IEC (digitally signed PDF). Also downloadable from DGFT portal under "Print IEC" option. Your IEC number is your entity's PAN — always the same 10 characters.
Rejection possible if PAN mismatch or address inconsistencyAD Code registration with your bank
Approach your bank branch to register the AD Code (Authorised Dealer Code) against your IEC. AD Code links your bank branch to customs, enabling foreign currency inward/outward remittance. Bank issues a certificate that you upload to customs. No AD Code = no export payment can be received in your INR account.
Each port needs separate AD Code registrationICEGATE customs portal registration
Register on icegate.gov.in (Indian Customs EDI Gateway) linking your IEC + AD Code. Enables filing of Shipping Bills (exports), Bills of Entry (imports), and tracking customs clearance status. Class 3 DSC mandatory for ICEGATE. This completes your trade-ready stack.
ICEGATE approval takes 3-5 working daysMandatory annual IEC profile update
DGFT Notification dated 12.02.2021 mandates free annual update of IEC profile between 1 April and 30 June every year. Confirm entity details, address, bank, authorised signatory. Missing this window = automatic IEC deactivation. Reactivation requires fresh application + penalty.
DGFT automatically deactivates IECs after 30 June if unupdated6 common IEC mistakes — and how to avoid them
Biggest: missing Apr-Jun update. Costliest: not claiming 2-8% export incentives. All preventable.
Missing the April-June annual update window
The #1 IEC compliance failure. DGFT Notification 12.02.2021 requires an annual profile update on DGFT portal between 1 April and 30 June every year, even if nothing has changed. Missing this window = automatic deactivation. Reactivation needs fresh application, penalty payment, and 15-30 days delay. Customs will not clear shipments during deactivation.
PAN name mismatch with bank/address
DGFT auto-verifies applicant details against CBDT (Income Tax) and Customs databases. If your PAN says "ABC Pvt Ltd" but bank account is "ABC Private Limited" (with expansion) or address differs across PAN + GST + bank statement, application is rejected. Also common: proprietor uses personal name in some records and business name (proprietorship) in others.
Applying for IEC without AD Code + ICEGATE
IEC alone doesn't make you trade-ready. Many first-timers get IEC in 3 days, then discover their first shipment stuck at customs because AD Code and ICEGATE aren't set up. Complete trade-readiness needs IEC + AD Code (bank) + ICEGATE (customs) — 5-10 working days total. Also miss port-specific AD Code registration for shipping from multiple ports.
Trying to get multiple IECs for one PAN
Since GST era, only one IEC per PAN. Companies with multiple business verticals under one PAN cannot have separate IECs — must use the single IEC for all activities. Applying for a second IEC results in outright rejection and DGFT flag on the PAN. Common mistake: distinct trade names for different product lines but same PAN.
Not claiming export incentives
IEC unlocks 5+ export incentive schemes worth 2-8% of export FOB value: RoDTEP, RoSCTL (textiles), Duty Drawback, Advance Authorisation, EPCG (Export Promotion Capital Goods), SEIS. Yet 40%+ small exporters never claim, either unaware or citing paperwork complexity. On ₹1 Cr export, that's ₹2-8 lakh left on the table annually.
Ignoring RBI FEMA + FIRC reconciliation
IEC holders receiving foreign currency must report inward remittance via FIRC (Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate) or eFIRA. RBI-FEMA mandates that every export invoice must be realised within 9 months (Regulation 9 of FEMA Notification 23R/2015). Beyond this, EDPMS (Export Data Processing and Monitoring System) flags unrealised invoices — leading to bank penalty, RBI notice, and potential prosecution.
Pick your engagement
First-time exporter? Serious operation? Manufacturer eyeing EPCG? We have the right tier.
- DGFT portal registration + PAN linking
- ANF-2A filing with DSC / e-sign
- Payment via Bharatkosh gateway
- IEC certificate download in 1-3 days
- Post-issue orientation call
- Lifetime validity, no renewal
- AD Code + ICEGATE not included
- Everything in IEC Only tier
- AD Code registration with your bank
- ICEGATE portal setup + DSC upload
- Class 3 DSC procurement (if needed)
- Port-specific AD Code registration
- First shipment shipping bill guidance
- IEC + GST + FSSAI combo consultation
- Trade-ready in 5-10 working days
- Ongoing export incentive filing (see retainer)
- Everything in Trade Ready tier
- RoDTEP scheme registration + claims
- Duty Drawback claim filing
- Annual DGFT profile update (Apr-Jun)
- EDPMS reconciliation monthly
- FIRC / BRC tracking
- Advance Authorisation advisory
- EPCG scheme guidance (if capital import)
- Ongoing from year 2 at ₹5,000/yr
Prefer a call back?
Leave your number and a good time — we call within business hours (Mon–Sat, 10 am–7 pm) about Import Export Code (IEC).
Export advisory
The Tax Paramarsh desk
"Most consultants file IEC and stop there. That's form-filling, not advisory. IEC is step 1 of a 6-step trade-readiness sequence. The real value is what happens after: AD Code registration at every port you ship from, ICEGATE portal setup with Class 3 DSC, RoDTEP scheme registration, EDPMS reconciliation with your bank, EPCG structuring if you're importing capital goods, and the free annual Apr-Jun profile update. Missing that update deactivates many IECs every year — customs blocks their shipments, banks block their remittances, and they don't even know until an order gets stuck. On the incentive side, RoDTEP + Duty Drawback + EPCG together can return 2-8% of your FOB value. On a ₹5 Cr export, that's ₹10-40 lakh recovered every year. Most first-time exporters leave it on the table because their filing consultant never mentioned it existed. We do IEC as the entry point, but the retainer is where the compounding value lives."
What exporters say after IEC + trade-ready with us
Common questions
Straight answers. Still curious? WhatsApp us anything.
What is IEC and who issues it?
Import Export Code (IEC) is a 10-digit unique alphanumeric code issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. Governed by Section 7 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992.
Post-GST simplification: Since 2017, IEC = your entity's PAN. Same 10 characters. One PAN → one IEC. You still need a formal DGFT application via ANF-2A to activate the IEC on the DGFT portal.
Mandatory for: Every person or entity importing goods into India or exporting goods/services from India. Customs will not clear any shipment without IEC. Banks will not book foreign currency transactions without IEC.
Is IEC mandatory for service exporters?
Depends on transaction value. Under RBI-FEMA regulations:
- Below ₹5 lakh/yr cumulative foreign inward remittance: Not strictly mandatory (though recommended)
- Above ₹5 lakh/yr: IEC recommended for banks to process FIRC without additional documentation
- Above ₹10 lakh/yr: IEC becomes practically mandatory — banks flag transactions without IEC
- For claiming SEIS (Service Exports from India Scheme): IEC mandatory regardless of turnover
Common service exporters needing IEC: SaaS companies, IT services firms, freelance designers/developers/writers with USD clients, consultants, digital agencies.
What is the difference between IEC and GST?
Different purposes, different regulators, both often needed:
- IEC (DGFT): Gateway for cross-border trade. Cost ₹500 one-time. Lifetime validity. Governed by FTDR Act 1992.
- GST (CBIC): Domestic + international tax registration. FREE. Monthly/quarterly returns required. Governed by CGST Act 2017.
Goods exporters typically need both: IEC to satisfy customs + DGFT + banking; GST for tax invoicing, RoDTEP claims, and refund of unutilised ITC on exports (LUT filing under GST).
What is the annual update requirement?
Per DGFT Notification dated 12.02.2021, every IEC holder must update their IEC profile on the DGFT portal between 1 April and 30 June every year — even if no details have changed.
What to confirm: Entity name, address, bank details, authorised signatory, activity type, contact email/mobile.
Consequence of missing: DGFT automatically deactivates the IEC after 30 June. Deactivated IEC = customs blocks shipments, bank blocks foreign remittance. Reactivation requires fresh application, penalty, and 15-30 days delay.
Fee: Free (₹0). Only DGFT portal login required with DSC/Aadhaar.
What are the total IEC costs in 2026?
Total all-in cost:
- Government fee: ₹500 one-time (via Bharatkosh payment gateway on DGFT portal)
- Our professional fee: ₹2,000 (IEC Only) / ₹6,000 (Trade Ready) / ₹9,999 (Export Advisory)
- Class 3 DSC: ₹1,500-2,500 (only if you don't have one — proprietors + individuals can use Aadhaar e-sign instead)
- GST @ 18% on our professional fee
Total IEC-only: ~₹2,860 (govt + our fee + GST). Trade Ready ~₹7,580. Export Advisory ~₹11,120 first year.
Post-issue: ₹0 to DGFT for lifetime. Only mandatory action is free annual update between Apr-Jun each year.
Are there any hidden costs?
None from us. But be aware of:
- DSC procurement: ₹1,500-2,500 from a licensed CA (eMudhra, Sify, NCode) — one-time, valid 2 years. Only needed if you don't already have one.
- AD Code registration fee: Typically FREE from your bank, though some banks charge ₹500-2,000 processing.
- ICEGATE portal registration: FREE from Indian Customs.
- Port-specific AD Code registration: If shipping from multiple ports, each port needs separate registration (still FREE, but takes time).
These are third-party costs — we don't mark up.
Can I get government export incentives?
Yes — IEC unlocks 5+ major schemes. Estimated combined benefit: 2-8% of export FOB value depending on product category.
- RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products): Refund of embedded taxes on exported goods. Rates 0.3% to 4.3% depending on HS code.
- RoSCTL (Textiles): Similar to RoDTEP but for apparel + made-ups. Rates typically 3-4%.
- Duty Drawback: Refund of customs duty on imported inputs used in exports. Product-specific rates.
- Advance Authorisation: Duty-free import of inputs for export production.
- EPCG (Export Promotion Capital Goods): Duty-free / low-duty import of capital goods against export obligation.
- SEIS (Service Exports): Currently under review; historically 3-7% of net foreign exchange earnings.
Is IEC really lifetime validity?
Yes — IEC has lifetime validity under Foreign Trade Policy. No renewal ever required. No recurring government fee to DGFT.
But there's one condition: The mandatory annual profile update between 1 April and 30 June every year. Missing this = auto-deactivation. This is free but must not be skipped.
Voluntary surrender: If you cease import/export activities, you can voluntarily surrender IEC by filing a request on DGFT portal. Not mandatory to surrender — inactive IECs simply stay deactivated after missing annual update.
How long does IEC take to be issued?
DGFT SLA: 1-3 working days from complete application submission with fee payment.
Actual experience since 2021 DGFT digitisation:
- Same-day approval possible if PAN + Aadhaar + bank match cleanly
- Typical: 1-2 working days for pre-verified entities
- Up to 5 working days if manual verification triggered (name mismatch, address inconsistency)
Complete trade-readiness (IEC + AD Code + ICEGATE): 5-10 working days including bank + customs backend processing.
When should I apply for IEC?
Before your first cross-border transaction — customs will not clear imports/exports without IEC. Banks won't book foreign remittance without IEC.
Practical timeline:
- Goods exporter: Apply 2 weeks before first shipment (IEC + AD Code + ICEGATE + shipping bill prep)
- Service exporter: Apply when cumulative FIRC crosses ₹5-10 lakh/yr
- Importer: Apply before placing first foreign PO — some foreign suppliers ask for IEC upfront
What happens if my IEC is deactivated?
Deactivation happens automatically if you miss the April-June annual update window. Consequences:
- Customs will not clear your shipments (imports + exports)
- Banks will not process foreign inward/outward remittances
- Marketplace accounts (Amazon Global, eBay) may be suspended
- Cannot claim RoDTEP, Duty Drawback, or other incentives during deactivation period
- Existing shipments in transit may face customs holds
Reactivation: File fresh update on DGFT portal + pay any prescribed penalty. Typically 15-30 days to restore. During this window, all export/import operations must pause.
Is IEC valid for all products and countries?
Yes — one IEC covers all products and all countries. You don't need separate IECs for different product lines or destination countries.
But: Certain products have additional restrictions:
- SCOMET items (Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment, Technologies) — need separate SCOMET license from DGFT
- Prohibited items (per Foreign Trade Policy Annexure 4) — cannot be traded at all
- Restricted items — need specific import/export licence
- Sanctioned countries (e.g., North Korea) — trade barred under MEA + Customs advisories
What is AD Code and why do I need it?
AD Code (Authorised Dealer Code) is a 14-digit code issued by your bank that identifies the bank branch authorised to handle your foreign currency transactions. Different from IEC.
Why needed:
- Customs uses AD Code to link your export shipping bills to a bank for realisation tracking
- Banks use AD Code to process FIRC (Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate)
- Without AD Code registration at each port you ship from, customs blocks the shipment
How to get: Request from your current account bank branch, get AD Code certificate on letterhead, upload to ICEGATE portal for each port. Takes 3-5 days. Usually FREE.
What is ICEGATE and how does it work?
ICEGATE (Indian Customs EDI Gateway) is the digital portal at icegate.gov.in where all customs documents are filed. Managed by CBIC.
What you do on ICEGATE:
- File Shipping Bills for exports (before goods reach port)
- File Bills of Entry for imports (before goods arrive)
- Track customs clearance status in real-time
- Access RoDTEP scrip credits + Duty Drawback amounts
- Communicate with Customs officers digitally
Requirements: IEC + AD Code + Class 3 Digital Signature Certificate (mandatory, no Aadhaar e-sign accepted). Registration takes 3-5 working days.
Can I have both a proprietor IEC and a company IEC?
No — one IEC per PAN. Since IEC = PAN post-GST, and each person/entity has one PAN, you can have only one IEC. If you operate as a proprietor and later incorporate a company:
- Proprietor IEC (linked to your individual PAN) continues
- Company gets a separate IEC (linked to company PAN)
- Two IECs are fine because two distinct PANs — one for you personally, one for the company
Common scenario: Freelancer with USD income has IEC on personal PAN. When they incorporate an LLP or Pvt Ltd, the entity applies for its own IEC on entity PAN. Both are valid.
What is RoDTEP and how do I claim it?
RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) is India's flagship export incentive scheme replacing MEIS since 1 January 2021. Notified rates for 8,555 tariff lines.
How it works:
- Rates: 0.3% to 4.3% of FOB value, product-specific (HS code)
- Refund is issued as transferable duty credit scrip on ICEGATE
- Can be used to pay customs duties or sold to other importers
- Claim triggered automatically when you file Shipping Bill with RoDTEP declaration
Requirements: IEC + valid GSTIN + LUT (Letter of Undertaking) + goods exported with proper HS code + shipping bill flagged for RoDTEP. Our export advisory tier handles the full RoDTEP filing.
What is FIRC and BRC?
FIRC (Foreign Inward Remittance Certificate) is a certificate issued by your bank confirming receipt of foreign currency for exports. Required for:
- Claiming GST refund on export of goods/services
- Claiming RoDTEP + Duty Drawback
- RBI-FEMA reporting
BRC (Bank Realisation Certificate) is a consolidated certificate confirming realisation of full export invoice value in India. Required for:
- Closing EDPMS entries (mandatory)
- Claiming export incentives against specific shipping bills
- Availing packing credit or post-shipment finance
Timeline: FIRC per transaction; BRC per shipping bill (must be realised within 9 months per FEMA).
What is EDPMS and why does it matter?
EDPMS (Export Data Processing and Monitoring System) is the RBI-managed system that tracks every export shipping bill against its foreign currency realisation. Automatically flags unrealised exports.
How it works:
- Each shipping bill filed with customs creates an EDPMS entry
- Bank matches inward FIRC against the shipping bill to close the entry
- If not realised within 9 months (per FEMA Regulation 9), entry stays "open" and RBI flags the exporter
- Consequences: bank penalty, RBI notice, potential prosecution under FEMA
Our monthly reconciliation service tracks all open EDPMS entries + follows up with buyers + files FEMA extensions where needed. Zero unrealised entries in our client portfolio.
What is EPCG scheme?
EPCG (Export Promotion Capital Goods) Scheme allows import of capital goods at zero customs duty against an export obligation.
How it works:
- Import capital goods (machinery, equipment) at 0% customs duty
- Export obligation: 6× the duty saved, over 6 years
- E.g., duty saved ₹42 lakh → must export ₹2.52 Cr over 6 years
- Applies to manufacturers + service providers exporting capital-intensive products/services
Compliance: Annual export progress report to DGFT. Failure to meet obligation = duty recovery + interest + 24% p.a. penalty.
Our export advisory tier structures EPCG applications end-to-end + ongoing compliance tracking.
What are SCOMET items?
SCOMET (Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies) are dual-use items with potential for weapons of mass destruction. Listed in Appendix 3 of Schedule 2 of ITC(HS).
Categories:
- Category 0: Nuclear materials
- Category 1: Toxic chemicals + precursors
- Category 2: Micro-organisms + toxins
- Category 3-6: Materials, machinery, electronics, computers with military applications
- Category 7-8: Aerospace + propulsion
Export requires SCOMET License in addition to IEC. Application via DGFT with technical documentation. Approval: 30-90 days. End-user certificate mandatory. Regularly audited by DGFT + external agencies.
Let's get your IEC + trade-ready stack in 10 days.
WhatsApp us your entity type + import/export activity + product category. Free trade-readiness roadmap + incentive projection within business hours. IEC certificate in 1-3 days. Complete customs + banking + portal stack in 5-10 working days.