An Importer -Exporter Code (IEC) is a key business identification number which mandatory for export from India or Import to India. No export or import shall be made by any person without obtaining an IEC unless specifically exempted. For services exports however, IEC shall be not be necessary except when the service provider is taking benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy.

Consequent upon introduction of GST, IEC being issued is the same as the PAN of the firm. However, the IEC will still be separately issued by DGFT based on an application. The nature of the firm obtaining an IEC may be any of the follows- Proprietorship, Partnership, LLP, Limited Company, Trust, HUF, Society.

Pre-Requisites for Applying for IEC

IEC may be applied on behalf of a firm which may be a Proprietorship, Partnership, LLP, Limited Company, Trust, HUF, Society. Firm must have a PAN, bank account in the name of the firm and a valid address before applying. Address may be physically verified by the DGFT on issuance of the IEC. Please keep your PAN, bank details and firm details ready before applying.

Sinesses have a great option to enter the international market with the export and import of the products and the services they are involved in. The IE code is an essential requirement while entering the global market as it supports the growth and development of the business to a certain extent. There are various advantages of getting an IE Code.

Here we have listed a few of them:

• International market unlocks: As the IE Code is a requirement for the import and export business, they allow the products to reach the global market. IE code makes the entry of the international Indian company smoother and opens doors for growth and expansion.
• Online IEC registration: The process to find the IE Code is entirely online and hassle-free with short document submission.
• Less document requirement: It is not required to submit many documents to obtain an IEC.
• Lifetime Validity: IE Code is a lifetime registration valid as long as the business exists. Hence, there are no issues with updating, filing, and renewing Import Export Code registration. The IEC registration is valid until the company exists or the registration is not revoked or surrendered.
• Reduces illegal goods transportation: The most basic requirement for the Import-Export code is that you need to provide authentic information. Without giving proper information, IE code cannot be obtained. This criterion makes the transportation of illegal goods impossible.
• Availing Several Benefits: IEC code registration has enormous benefits for importers and exporters. The registered business entities can get help through subsidies from the Customs, Export Promotion Council or other authorities. With LUT filing under GST, the exporters can make exports without paying taxes. If the exports are made with tax payment, the exporter can claim the refunds of the paid tax amount.
• Compliances: Unlike other tax registration, the person carrying import or export does not require to fulfill any specific compliance requirements such as the annual filing or the return filings.

ICEGATE REGISTRATION

ICEGATE registration is a process that allows users to file customs-related documents online through the Indian Customs Electronic Gateway (ICEGATE):

• Benefits: Registration provides a number of benefits, including
• Online filing: Users can file documents online, such as shipping bills and bills of entry.
• Document tracking: Users can track the status of their jobs online.
• Email notifications: Users receive email notifications about the status of their jobs.
• Query replies: Users receive query replies on the email address they register with. As mentioned above, ICEGATE stands for Indian Customs Electronic Gateway, a key initiative by the Indian Customs to streamline and expedite the customs clearance process through digitalization. It serves as the digital portal for the trading and logistics community to interact with the Customs department, facilitating the electronic filing of customs documents such as Shipping Bills for exports and Bills of Entry for imports.
• Advantages of ICEGATE Registration: Those who undertake taxable supply occasionally.
• Registering at ICEGATE provides several key benefits that facilitate and enhance the customs clearance process for businesses and individuals engaged in international trade through India. These advantages include:
• Centralized Document Filing: With an ICEGATE ID, users can file all necessary customs documents online, including Shipping Bills and Bills of Entries, through a single, centralized platform. This streamlines the submission process and eliminates the need for physical paperwork.
• Real-Time Tracking: Registrants can monitor the status of their filings through ICEGATE's online document tracking system, providing transparency and up-to-date information on the progress of their customs jobs.
• Immediate Notifications: Users receive instant acknowledgements regarding the submission status of their documents directly to their registered email. This includes positive and negative acknowledgements and unique identifiers like Shipping Bill (SB) and Bill of Entry (BE) numbers, which are essential for tracking and reference.
• Efficient Communication: ICEGATE facilitates seamless communication between the customs department and traders. While incoming files can be accepted from any email ID, critical outbound communications such as queries and responses are directed only to the registered email in the ICEGATE database, ensuring secure and reliable communication.

These benefits collectively contribute to a more efficient, transparent, and manageable customs clearance process, making ICEGATE an indispensable tool for those involved in India's international trade.

Registration Cum Membership Certificate(RCMC)

Registration-Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) is a certificate that validates an exporter dealing with products registered with an agency / organization that are authorised by the Indian Government. The certificate is issued for five financial years by the Export Promotion Councils (EPCs) / Commodity board / Development authority or other competent authority in India. These bodies function as the Registering Authority to issue the RCMC to its user. An exporter desiring to obtain an RCMC has to declare his mainstream business in the application. This application would be submitted to the related Registering Authority.

A total number of 26 Export Promotion Councils and 9 commodities board are present in India. Commodities board and the EPCs in India are the concerned authorities for issuing RCMC. These institutions have been authorised by the Central Government to issue RCMC to the exporters. Every EPC and the commodities board in India categories itself depending on the type of products. The RCMC shall be deemed to be valid from 1st April of the licensing year in which it was issued and shall be valid for 5 financial years ending 31st March of the licensing year, unless otherwise is specified.

A Registration-Cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC) is a document that verifies that an exporter is registered with an agency or organization authorized by the Indian government. It's required for exporters to take advantage of benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy and to receive Customs and Excise benefits. Here are some details about RCMC registration:

• Who issues it:Export Promotion Councils (EPCs), Commodity Boards, Development Authorities, or other competent bodies issue RCMCs.
• How long it's valid: An RCMC is valid for five financial years, from April 1 of the year it's issued to March 31 of the final year.
• How to apply: Exporters must submit an application to the relevant registering authority, declaring their primary business focus.
• An RCMC allows exporters to:
• Import or export any item.
• Receive benefits and concessions under the FTP, such as the Duty Drawback Scheme, Duty-Free Import Authorization (DFIA) Scheme, and more.
• Access trade fairs and catalog shows in India and abroad
• Access buyer-seller matching through foreign comp.

EXPORT PROMOTION COUNCIL(EPC)

Export Promotion Councils:

• Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA)
• Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC)
• Basic Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics Export Promotion Council (CHEMEXCIL)
• Carpet Export Promotion Council (CEPC)
• Chemicals and Allied Products Export Promotion Council (CAPEXIL)
• Council for Leather Exports (CLE)
• Electronics and Computer Software Export Promotion Council (ESC)
• Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC)
• Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO)
• Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC)
• Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC)
• Handicrafts and Handlooms Export Corporation of India (HHEC)
• Indian Oilseeds and Produce Export Promotion Council (IOPEPC)
• Indian Silk Export Promotion Council (ISEPC)
• Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA)
• Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (PHARMEXCIL)
• Plastics Export Promotion Council (PLEXCONCIL)
• Project Exports Promotion Council of India (PEPC)
• Services Export Promotion Council (SEPC)
• Shellac Export Promotion Council (SPEC)
• Sports Goods Export Promotion Council (SGEPC)
• Synthetic and Rayon Textiles Export Promotion Council (SRTEPC)
• Wool and Woollens Export Promotion Council (WWEPC)
• The Cotton Textiles Export Promotion Council (TEXPROCIL)

Commodity Boards

• Coir Board
• Coffee Board
• Rubber Board
• Spices Board
• Tea Board of India
• Tobacco Board

Development Authorities

• Electronics Industries Development of India (ELCID)
• National Centre for Trade Information (NCTI)

FEDERATION OF INDIAN EXPORT ORGANISATIONS (FIEO)

Federation of Indian Export Organisations popularly known as 'FIEO' is the apex body of the Government recognised Export Promotion Councils, Commodity Boards and Development Authorities in India. Set up in 1965 by Ministry of Commerce, Govt. of India to focus the efforts of all stakeholders engaged in promotion of trade from the country, FIEO is partner of Govt. of India to boost International Trade from India. FIEO provides the crucial interface between International Trading community of India with the Central and State Governments, Financial Institutions, Ports, Railways, Surface Transport and all engaged in Export Trade Facilitation. The Federation directly and indirectly serves the interests of over 200,000 exporters from every Industry and Services sector in the country.