Obtain an Import-Export Code (IEC) number from DGFT
If you need to export or import from India, you need to obtain an Import export Code (IEC) from Director General of Foreign trade within the jurisdiction office of your firm situates. Without an IEC code, no movement of goods from/to the country to outside is allowed.
DGFT procedures to obtain an IEC number are too liberalized now days. As per the recent notification, the following documents are required to obtain an Import Export Code. However, you may cross check for further update with DGFT before applying for import export code.
1. Bank receipt / demand draft against application fee. This fee is INR 1000.00 while writing this article. You may re-clarify with DGFT before applying.
2. Application form in prescribed format issued by DGFT for issue of Import Export Code number. This application for is prescribed in Appendix 21B.2.
3. Please attest the application for IEC with you banker where in you have opened current account in the name of firm to operate export import activities.
4. Self attested copy of Permanent Account Number PAN issued by income tax authorities.
5. Two copies of passport size photographs of the applicant. You need to attest the said passport size photographs with your authorized bank.
6. If any partner or partners are non resident interest or holding in the firm or company exists with repatriation benefits, you need to attach a self certified copy of Reserve Bank of India approval on the same.
When can an IEC obtained after submitting documents:
Normally, if all documents are in order, Import Export Code is issued by DGFT within two working days. However, by taking in to consideration of transit time, you can expect to receive IE code through post office to your official address within 10 days after submitting documents subjected, all submitted documents for Import Export Code are in order.
AD code - Authorized Dealer Code - registration with customs
Once you obtained IEC if you intend to do export or import, you need to register your IEC and Authorized dealer code details with the port through which you are exporting or importing. If you are going to export by sea, you need to register with sea port customs and if by air, with airport customs also. You can appoint a customs house agent to get the job done on behalf of you.
What are the formalities for AD code and IEC registration with customs: What CHA does with your documents for registration.
Along with the Authorized AD code letter received from your bank though which you are going to transact your foreign trade; you need to attach a copy of IEC with a covering letter on your letter to be applied with customs officials. The customs officials normally finish these formalities within an hour.
Registration with central excise department
If your products are fallen under excisable goods, you need to register with nearest central excise department to claim necessary export excise benefits under your goods exporting.
The registration has to be done within the jurisdiction where your factory is situated.
Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) registration procedures
Many government agencies supports exporters in various levels to boost the export of the country and such agencies extends all supports including financial supports to exporters. In order to avail such benefits, an exporter need to register their product and obtain Registration Cum Membership Certificate from the respective agencies who deals under specific goods separately.
If you are a manufacturer of a particular product or products, you need to obtain a registration cum member ship certificate from respective authorities.
Select your Export promotion council and approach them to get necessary assistance:
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA): Animal Products, Cereals, Floriculture and Seeds, Fruits and Vegetables, Processed Fruits and Vegetables, Other Processed Food
Apparel Export Promotion Council: Readymade Garment excluding Woolen knitwear and of leather, silk, jute hemp.
Chemicals Pharmaceuticals & Cosmetics Export Promotion Council (CHEMEXCIL): Basic chemicals namely drugs and Fine chemical Dyes Intermediate, Alcohol and coal Tar Chemicals, Organic chemicals, Agro-chemicals, Glycerin, Soaps, Detergents Cosmetics & Toiletries, Processed Talc. Agarbathi, Essential Oils, Dehydrated Culture Meida and crude.
Carpet Export Promotion Council: Handmade/Woolen Carpets, Rugs, Durries, Druggets and Namdhas including handmade Silk carpets.
Cashew Export Promotion Council of India: Cashew, Kernels.
Chemical & Allied Products Export Promotion Council: Chemicals and Allied Products namely, Glass and Ceramics Paints, Rubber products including Tyres and Tubes, Paper and Paper Products including Books , Journals, Periodicals, Safety Matches, Fire Works and Explosives, cement Products Marble, chips Adhesive Shellac-compound Photo-typeset Films and micro films, Wood Products.
Cotton Textile Export Promotion Council: Cotton Textiles
Coffee Board: Coffee
Coir Board: coir and coir products
Electronic & Computer Software Export Promotion Council: Electronic, goods, Computer Software and related services.
Engineering Export Promotion Council: Engineering Goods, Stainless Steel Products Fabricated Mica, Mica based Engineering products and Construction Services.
Gems & Jewellery Export Promotion Council: Gems and Jewellery
Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts: Handicrafts
Handloom Export Promotion Council: Handloom Products
Handicrafts & Handloom Export Corporation: Handicrafts & Handlooms
Office of the Development Commissioner for Handlooms : Promotion of Handlooms Export abroad.
Development Commissioner for Iron Steel: Promotion of Iron & Steel Exports abroad.
Indian Silk Export Promotion Council: All Natural silk fabrics made ups, garments machine made carpets
Council for Leather Export: Finished Leather, Lexprocil Leather goods, Chrome tanned hides and skins, Chrome tanned crust leather, E.I. tanned hides and skins and E.I. crust Leather
Marine Products Exports Development Authority (MPEDA): Sea Food
Overseas Construction Council of India: Overseas Project Construction and civil Projects Engineering.
Power loom Development and Export Promotion Council: Plastics, toys, Polyester Film and Allied Products, Human Hair and Human Hair Products.
Rubber Board: Rubber and rubber products
Shellac Export Promotion Council: Shexprocil Lac in all its forms.
Sports Goods Export Promotion Council: Sports Goods
Spices Board: Spices
Central Silk Board: Silk and silk products
Synthetic & Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council: Silk rayon Cellulosic and Non, cellulosic Products, Blended Products from Mixtures of cotton/cellulosic and Nylon/Polyester fiber or yarn, and Acrylic knitwear.
Tea Board: Tea and Tea products
Tobacco Board: Tobacco and Tobacco products
Wool & Woolens Export Promotion Council : Warmth Woolen Textiles, Hosiery Knitwear, Mixed Fabrics and Machine made Woolen Carpets and Rugs and Druggets Flex Yarn and Flex Products Acrylic, Knitwear.
If your product or service has not been included in the above, you can approach Regional Licensing Authority to get Registration Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) for your firm.
Federation of Indian Export Organizations (FIEO), Indian Trade Promotion Organization, National Agricultural Cooperative Federation of India Ltd. (NAFED) and other agencies also supports exporters and importers in India.
Registration with sales tax office
Exporters are eligible to claim sales tax benefits against exports. So, once after completion of necessary IE code procedures, you need to register with Sales Tax authorities under your jurisdiction area where in you can obtain necessary guidelines to act as an exporter or importer.