How to Check the IEC Application Status Online?

The sketch of the Indian trade is a well built blend of both, the domestic and international markets and so being an aggressive player in the world trade, documentation and registration of every trade entity, its to and fro transactions, business activities, bank details, credit period, currency of payments, etc is of vital importance for the smooth execution of transactions and betterment of relations amongst nations.

What is IEC?

International trade is also known as foreign trade and is regulated by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), which was formed under the Ministry of Trade and Commerce by the Government of India. The DGFT issues a unique identification code to the trader importing or exporting goods to or from India. This code is called the Import Export Code (IEC) and is a mandatory requirement for any business concerned engaged in importing or exporting goods and services. It is a ten-digit number that makes an importer or exporter legally and officially qualified to participate in the world market and exploit their chances to deal with other nations of the globe.

How to Apply or Register for an IEC?

IEC is a must and is a precondition in the absence of which no trader shall be allowed or permitted to ship his goods or provide services abroad and receive payment thereof or take clear delivery of goods or accept services rendered from abroad via customs and make payment thereof unless specifically exempted by DGFT or any other statutory authority for that matter. An individual or entity is required to have an IEC only if he or the entity imports or exports goods for commercial or business purposes. In other words, no IEC is needed if the goods or services imported or exported are meant for personal use or private consumption.

Sole proprietorships, one person companies, partnership firms, limited liability partnerships, private limited companies, Hindu Undivided Families (HUFs), trusts and societies are eligible to obtain IEC from DGFT. Such an application for IEC is made electronically on behalf of the sole proprietorship, partnership firm, limited liability company, limited company, HUF, trust and society by its proprietor, partner, director, karta, trustee or authorised signatory, respectively.

The validity of the code is for an indefinite period of time which means lifetime validity with no requirement of renewal from time to time. The must-have documents for online IEC registration are PAN of the firm, bank account details, proof of address and details of the firm or company and these documents should be kept conveniently be organised and all set to use while at the time of application.

However, it should always be kept in mind that only one IEC will be issued against one PAN, meaning ‘Single PAN, Single IEC’ is the rule. In case of firms, IEC issued on the PAN of a partner will be considered as IEC for the firm as well and that no separate certificate will be issued in the name of the firm even if the firm bears a different PAN from that of its partner.

The application process is entirely online on the DGFT portal, and a small fee is charged for the issue of the code. Below are the steps involved in applying for IEC:

1. Visit the homepage of the DGFT official website: www.dgft.gov.in
2. Choose the ‘Services’ tab, and a dropdown list will open for further options.
3. Select the ‘IEC Profile Management’ option.
4. Further, select ‘Apply for IEC’ on the new page that appeared after step 3.
5. Click on ‘Register’ and enter the one time password (OTP) for validation received on the registered mobile number and/or email address used for registration.
6. When OTP is successfully validated, the applicant will be notified on the registered email or number with a temporary password which will be required to login to the DGFT portal. This password can be changed and set as per the choice of the applicant after logging in.
7. Now, after getting redirected again to the homepage of the website, navigate to ‘Apply for IEC’ on the dashboard.
8. Choose ‘Start Fresh Application’ and put in the general and personal details as requested.
9. To complete the form, upload the requisite documents such as PAN, proof of address, cancelled cheque, photo, etc to it.
10. Finally, attach the Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) to the form at the defined space and make the payment of the application fee to submit the application.
11. After successful submission, DGFT will issue the IEC to the applicant and send it across his registered email. It can, then, be downloaded and printed from the portal for personal records.

After obtaining the certification, if there is any change in the information provided at the time of application or if the issued IEC needs to be modified or updated, then the process to revise IEC can be done via the DGFT portal only. Even when the importer or exporter intends to cancel, surrender or deactivate or reactivate his IEC, the process remains unchanged.

How to Check or Track the Status of IEC Application Online?

The online portal for tracking the application status for IEC remains the same and helps the applicant keep a check on the status to take relevant action when queries or concerns are raised, if any. The procedure for tracking the application status includes:

1. First, go to the homepage of the DGFT portal: www.dgft.gov.in
2. Login with your credentials and navigate to the ‘Services’ handle.
3. Choose ‘IEC Profile Management’ and select the next ‘IEC Application Status’ option.
4. Put the PAN, application number, and other details as requested on the page and push the  ‘Submit’ button.
5. View the status and check for any issues or queries or concerns that need to be resolved accordingly.

Alternatively, the status of the application can also be checked by logging in to the DGFT portal and visiting ‘My Dashboard’. Next, click on ‘Submitted Applications’ and check the status against the submitted forms.

How to Check The IEC Verification Status Online?

To verify a document or application means to check and ensure the authenticity of the details provided and information fed while applying for the same. The process to check the verification status of an IEC application is similar to that of checking its application status on the portal.

Navigate yourself to the ‘IEC Profile Management’ option as guided above and move to the ‘IEC Verification Status’ option. Check and view the status as appearing against the submitted application.

What are the Types of Status of an IEC Application?

It is understood for the phrase ‘types of status’ to sound odd but it is equally important to know what these types are, to enable oneself to take prompt and necessary actions and measures to avoid further queries or disqualifications from DGFT in future.

Let us have a look over the commonly and more frequently encountered types of application statuses after submitting an IEC application:

1. An application will show the status ‘SUBMITTED’ when it has been successfully completed and submitted for further processing but has not yet been processed.
2. An application will be ‘UNDER PROCESSING’ when it is being reviewed for verification and validation.
3. An application will be ‘PENDING’ if DGFT still has not completed the evaluation of the details provided.
4. An application will be granted as ‘APPROVED’ when it is successfully processed and the verification is also complete.
5. An application will be stated as ‘REJECTED’ when DGFT is not satisfied with the authenticity or reliability of the information given or otherwise. The reasons for rejection will also be mentioned in detail alongside the status of the application.
6. When the applicant, whether it is an individual or an entity, has violated or contravened any foreign trade laws or policies or regulations or failed to fulfill any obligation, the DGFT declares it to be blacklisted and such applicant is restricted or, sometimes, even debarred from enjoying the available benefits any further. The status is displayed as ‘Denied Entity’ and is specified in the ‘DENIED ENTITY LIST’ (DEL).
7. If the payment of the application fees or charges has not yet come through or if there is an error occurred with its processing then the status shall display as ‘AWAITING PAYMENT CONFIRMATION’. The status will be updated as soon as the payment has successfully been processed and revised in DGFT records and databases.
8. The DGFT shall suspend or cancel the application due to any non-compliance of the directions, obligations, or orders issued by it or non-compliance of any law or regulation or policy or for any other reason that DGFT seems fit. In such a case, the status of the application will be ‘CANCELLED’ or ‘SUSPENDED’, as the case may be, along with the reasons thereof.
9. An application will be ‘DOCUMENT DEFICIENT’ if, according to DGFT, the documents or information given are insufficient or require further clarification. The status will be updated once the clarified and correct details are furnished.

Conclusion

The IEC registration offers an added advantage to the importers and exporters to placidly operate and execute their business practices by recognising them legally and officially on the international platform, giving them opportunities to access and expand their reach globally.

Since this registration does not require renewals at regular intervals, the cost of legal expenses is reduced and time and energy resources are saved to focus on improving trade with multiple countries. This facilitates trouble free financial transactions and a simplified compliance routine which in turn improves their business credibility while dealing with international clients and vendors.

Thus, acquiring an IEC registration from DGFT allows the Indian importers and exporters to engage in global trade without interruptions, guaranteeing adherence to laws and promoting hassle free cross border transactions.