Q.What is an Import Export Code (IEC)?

Before anyone can legally trade across the border, a single registration number is required, issued by the foreign-trade authority.

The Import Export Code (IEC) is a mandatory 10-digit business identification number issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which functions under the Ministry of Commerce. No person can legally export goods from, or import goods into, the country without an IEC, and the same code serves for both directions of trade. It must be quoted in the shipping and banking documents, making it the most fundame …

Students sometimes think separate codes are needed for export and import — in fact one IEC covers both. Also a …