IEC Renewal — Mandatory Annual Update on the DGFT Portal
₹1,899/-(inclusive of GST)
Your IEC gets you into the export business. Your registered AD Code gets your first shipment out the gate.
Start Now!
Your IEC Is Permanent. But It Still Needs an Annual Update.
Here is something many exporters and importers don’t realise until it’s too late.
Your Import Export Code (IEC) has lifetime validity — it never expires. But since FY 2021-22, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has made it mandatory for every IEC holder to log in to the DGFT portal and update or confirm their IEC details once a year — between 1 April and 30 June — regardless of whether anything has changed.
If you miss this window, your IEC is automatically deactivated.
A deactivated IEC means:
- You cannot generate Shipping Bills or Bills of Entry
- Customs will reject your import and export documentation
- Your shipments will be held at ports
- You lose eligibility for duty drawbacks, IGST refunds, and export incentives
- Banks may refuse to process trade-related foreign exchange transactions
There is no late fee — but there is a complete halt to your trade operations until you complete the update. And if you are mid-shipment when this happens, the disruption can cost far more than the update ever would.
At Ofin Legal, we handle your annual IEC update — verifying all details, making necessary modifications, completing the authentication, and downloading the updated certificate — so your trade operations remain uninterrupted every year.
What Exactly is the IEC Annual Update?
The IEC Annual Update is a mandatory electronic confirmation or modification of your IEC details on the DGFT portal (dgft.gov.in). It was introduced vide DGFT Trade Notice No. 01/2021-22 dated 29 April 2021 and has been compulsory for all IEC holders from FY 2021-22 onwards.
The update requires you to:
- Log in to the DGFT portal
- Review all details currently linked to your IEC — business name, registered address, branch addresses, contact information, bank account, and authorised signatories
- Confirm that everything is correct (if no changes), or update any details that have changed
- Authenticate the submission using Aadhaar-based OTP or a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC)
- Download the updated IEC certificate
Even if absolutely nothing has changed in your business, you still need to log in and confirm. Silence is not compliance. The DGFT treats non-submission as non-compliance and deactivates the IEC automatically after 30 June.
Annual Update Window: 1 April to 30 June every year Last Date: 30 June Government Fee: Nil — no cost for the annual update
IEC Renewal Packages
BASIC
IEC Annual Update / Renewal
- Review of existing IEC details on DGFT portal
- Confirmation or update of all linked details
- Aadhaar OTP or DSC based authentication
- Submission on DGFT portal
- Download of updated IEC Certificate
STANDARD
IEC Annual Update + Modification
- Review of existing IEC details on DGFT portal
- Update of changed details — address, bank account, contact, directors/partners (up to 2 modifications)
- Supporting document preparation and upload
- Aadhaar OTP or DSC-based authentication
- Submission on DGFT portal
- Download of updated IEC certificate
- Annual renewal reminder for next year
PREMIUM
IEC Renewal
- Review of existing IEC details on DGFT portal
- Confirmation or update of all linked details
- Aadhaar OTP or DSC based authentication
- Submission on DGFT portal
- Download of updated IEC Certificate
- Update of changed details like address, bank account, contact, directors, partners
- Supporting document preparation and update
- ICEGATE Registration status verification
What Can You Update During the Annual IEC Renewal?
The annual update window is also an opportunity to keep all your DGFT records accurate. During the process, you can modify:
- Registered office address — if you have moved premises
- Branch addresses — addition or deletion of branch locations
- Contact details — mobile number and email ID of the entity
- Bank account details — change in account number, IFSC, or bank branch
- Directors / Partners / Proprietor details — addition or removal of authorised persons
- Business name — if the entity has undergone a name change (with supporting documents)
Keeping these details current is not just about compliance — it ensures that all government benefits, duty refunds, and foreign exchange credits are routed to the correct account without delays.
What Happens If Your IEC Is Deactivated?
If you miss the 30 June deadline:
Your IEC status changes to “Deactivated” on the DGFT system. This status is automatically transmitted to Indian Customs (ICEGATE), which means customs authorities will not process any shipping bills or bills of entry linked to your IEC.
Consequences during deactivation:
- All import and export activity is effectively halted
- Customs documentation cannot be filed
- Shipments already in transit may face clearance issues
- Foreign remittances linked to the IEC may be delayed by banks
- Export incentive claims cannot be processed
How to reactivate a deactivated IEC: You simply complete the annual update on the DGFT portal — even after June 30. Once successfully submitted and processed, the IEC is automatically reactivated and the updated status is transmitted to Customs. There are no penalties or late fees for updating after the deadline — but every day your IEC stays deactivated is a day you cannot trade.
We handle reactivation with the same speed and care as the regular annual update.
Documents Required for IEC Annual Update
For a straightforward annual confirmation with no changes, documents are minimal. For updates involving modifications, additional supporting documents are required.
For Annual Confirmation (No Changes):
- IEC number
- DGFT portal login credentials
- Aadhaar-linked mobile number (for OTP authentication) or valid DSC
For Update with Modifications:
- IEC number and DGFT portal login credentials
- PAN card of the entity
- Updated address proof — electricity bill, rent agreement, or property tax receipt (for address change)
- Cancelled cheque or bank certificate with new account details (for bank account change)
- Updated director/partner details — PAN, Aadhaar, and mobile number of new signatory (for changes in authorised persons)
- GST Registration Certificate (self-attested)
- DSC (if Aadhaar OTP authentication is not available or preferred)
How We Register Your AD Code — Step by Step
Step 1 — Initial Assessment We review your IEC, ICEGATE registration status, bank details, and DSC to identify exactly what is needed before we begin.
Step 2 — AD Code Letter from Your Bank We guide you on requesting the AD Code authorisation letter from your bank’s forex or Authorised Dealer department in the correct format as per Customs Public Notice No. 93/2020. We review the letter before it is issued to ensure all details — name, IEC, GSTIN — match exactly. Mismatches are the number one reason for rejection.
Step 3 — ICEGATE Registration (if needed) If your business is not yet registered on the ICEGATE portal, we handle the registration using your IEC, PAN, email, and mobile number.
Step 4 — DSC Configuration We verify that your Class-3 DSC has both signing and encryption enabled and is correctly installed on your system. If not, we arrange the correct DSC.
Step 5 — Document Upload on e-Sanchit All required documents are uploaded on the e-Sanchit module of ICEGATE in the prescribed format and file size. An IRN (Internal Reference Number) is generated for each uploaded document.
Step 6 — AD Code Registration Application We log into your ICEGATE account, navigate to Bank Account Management → AD Code Registration, enter your IEC, select the port, input the AD Code and bank details, attach the IRN of uploaded documents, and digitally sign the application with your DSC.
Step 7 — Approval and Confirmation Once submitted, the application is processed by ICEGATE — typically within 1 to 3 working days. A confirmation email is sent to your registered address. We track the status and notify you the moment it is approved.
Step 8 — IFSC Registration (Standard and Premium Packages) Following AD Code approval, we register your IFSC Code at the required ports for direct credit of duty drawbacks and IGST refunds.
How We Handle Your IEC Annual Update — Step by Step
Step 1 — Detail Review You share your IEC number and any changes that need to be made. We log in to the DGFT portal and pull up your current IEC profile, cross-checking all details against your current business information.
Step 2 — Discrepancy Check We flag any mismatches — outdated addresses, expired bank account details, old mobile numbers that may cause OTP failure, or directors who have left the business. This prevents rejection or processing delays.
Step 3 — Document Collection (for modifications) If changes need to be made, we provide you with a precise list of supporting documents needed for each modification.
Step 4 — Update Submission We update or confirm all required details on the DGFT portal, attach supporting documents where applicable, and authenticate the submission using Aadhaar OTP or DSC.
Step 5 — Updated Certificate Download Once the DGFT processes the submission, we download the updated IEC certificate and share it with you. Processing typically takes 2 to 3 working days for modifications, and is near-instant for confirmations with no changes.
Step 6 — Compliance Calendar (Premium Package) We set up annual reminders across all your export compliance deadlines — IEC renewal, AD Code status, RCMC renewal, and other DGFT or Customs compliance requirements.
IEC Annual Update vs. IEC Modification — What's the Difference?
This is a common source of confusion. Here’s the clear distinction:
| IEC Annual Update | IEC Modification | |
| What it is | Mandatory yearly confirmation of existing or updated details | Change to specific registered details mid-year |
| When | April 1 to June 30 every year | Anytime a business detail changes |
| Government Fee | Nil | Rs. 250 |
| Consequences of not doing it | IEC deactivation | Incorrect records with DGFC; possible compliance issues |
| Authentication | Adhaar OTP or DSC | Adhaar OTP or DSC + supporting documents |
Both can be done on the DGFT portal. Both are handled by Ofin Legal under our packages.
Why Choose Ofin Legal for IEC Annual Renewal?
✓ No missed deadlines — We track the April–June window and reach out to clients proactively before it opens
✓ Modification specialists — If your address, bank details, or directors have changed, we manage the documentation and portal submission end-to-end
✓ Export compliance cluster — We don’t treat IEC renewal in isolation. We also check your AD Code and ICEGATE status as part of our Premium package — because a renewed IEC means nothing if your AD Code is outdated
✓ Quick turnaround — Confirmations with no changes are processed the same day. Modifications with documentation are completed within 2–3 working days
✓ Completely online — No office visit required. Everything is managed digitally
✓ 25+ years of experience — Trusted by 500+ businesses across India for registration and compliance services
Frequently Asked Questions on AD Code Registration
The IEC itself has lifetime validity and does not expire. However, since FY 2021-22, every IEC holder must complete a mandatory annual update on the DGFT portal between 1 April and 30 June each year. Failure to do so results in automatic deactivation of the IEC.
Your IEC is automatically deactivated by the DGFT. You cannot import, export, file customs documents, or receive export incentives until you complete the update and the IEC is reactivated. There is no penalty or late fee — but the disruption to business operations can be significant.
Yes. The DGFT portal allows updates even after the deadline. Once you submit the update successfully, your IEC is automatically reactivated. However, during the deactivation period — which could be days or weeks depending on how quickly you act — all trade operations are frozen.
No. The DGFT does not charge any fee for the annual IEC update. Our professional fee covers the review, document check, portal submission, authentication, and updated certificate download.
Yes, absolutely. Even if nothing has changed — same address, same bank account, same directors — you must still log in to the DGFT portal and confirm the existing details. The DGFT treats non-submission as non-compliance and deactivates the IEC regardless.
You can authenticate via Aadhaar-based OTP (using the mobile number linked to your Aadhaar) or a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC). We guide you on which method suits your situation and handle the authentication on your behalf.
Yes. A single IEC covers both import and export activities. It does not need to be obtained separately for each type of transaction.
The annual renewal (update) is a mandatory yearly exercise done between April and June to confirm or update your IEC details. An IEC modification is a specific change to registered details — such as a change in address, bank account, or authorised signatory — that can be done any time during the year. Both are handled by Ofin Legal.
Yes. We complete the annual update on the DGFT portal on your behalf, even if the deadline has passed. Once the update is successfully submitted and processed, your IEC is automatically reactivated. We recommend acting immediately to minimise the disruption to your trade operations.
If you have made changes to your bank account details during the IEC update, you may also need to update your AD Code registration on ICEGATE to ensure that duty drawbacks and IGST refunds continue to be credited to the correct account. Our Premium package includes an AD Code status check as part of the service.
AD Code registration on ICEGATE is primarily mandatory for exporters for generating Shipping Bills. Importers use their bank’s AD Code for foreign exchange settlement, but the ICEGATE portal registration requirement is specifically driven by export transactions. We can advise based on your specific trade activity.
Your IEC took effort to get. Don’t let a missed annual update undo all of that. Set a reminder — or better yet, let Ofin Legal handle it for you every year.
