How the DGFT portal works for importers: registration, IEC, digital signatures, the yearly update and restricted import applications

The Directorate General of Foreign Trade runs India's Foreign Trade Policy, and nearly all its services are online. The Handbook of Procedures says applications for import or export of restricted goods, for benefits under FTP schemes, for clarifications and for other purposes may be made online at https://dgft.gov.in^[1].

For an importer of consumer goods, the portal matters for four tasks:

1. Getting an IEC. No import of goods without an Importer-Exporter Code unless exempt^[7], and the application is filed online in ANF-2A^[1]. Our IEC guide covers the rules; this page covers the screens.
2. Keeping the IEC alive. Every IEC must be updated or confirmed online each April to June^[7].
3. Restricted imports. Goods whose import needs an authorisation, permission or licence are 'Restricted'^[6], and the authorisation is applied for on the portal.
4. Checking others. Anyone can verify any IEC under Services, 'View IEC Related Details'^[1].

The portal is not where you clear goods. Customs filing happens on ICEGATE, and product approvals sit on their own portals, such as the BIS CRS portal.

Anyone importing or exporting goods needs an IEC unless specifically exempted^[7]. Proprietorships, partnerships, LLPs, companies, trusts, HUFs and societies can all apply^[8].

The IEC is a 10-character number that, since GST, matches the entity's PAN, though DGFT still issues it separately^[7]. Only one IEC is issued per PAN^[1], it covers every branch and factory, and it has no expiry unless suspended or cancelled^[1].

Exempt are, among others, government ministries and departments, and people importing for personal use not connected with trade, manufacture or agriculture^[1]. Those categories use permanent IEC numbers listed in the Handbook^[1]. A business that imports even one consignment of power banks for resale is not exempt. Before you start, read our full IEC guide and the first-time importer guide; the IEC glossary entry explains the term in one page.

Registration is the same for new and existing importers. DGFT's help file lists only two prerequisites: an internet connection and a valid email and mobile number^[2]. DGFT's IEC help file says the portal works with Chrome 70+ and Firefox 70+^[5].

After registration, DGFT expects existing importers to link their IEC and new importers to apply^[2].

Linking. To link an existing IEC you need portal credentials and an active DSC or Aadhaar of the proprietor or a member of the firm^[5]. You enter the IEC, the system validates it and opens a signing window. For a proprietorship, an individual DSC is accepted; for other entities you need an organisation DSC.

Applying. If your PAN has never been used for an IEC, choose Apply for IEC. You will need the firm PAN, address proof, bank proof and the Rs 500 fee^[3]. The PAN details are validated in real time with the Income Tax Department^[5], and the bank account with NPCI^[5].

Do not apply twice. Only one IEC is issued per PAN^[1]. If the system says your PAN has already been used, someone in your business already holds the IEC; link it instead.

Several staff on one IEC. The IEC Profile Management menu includes 'Manage linked users', so a business can add colleagues to its IEC rather than sharing one login^[8].

Most DGFT submissions must be signed. DGFT accepts Class 2 or Class 3 digital signature certificates issued by certifying authorities licensed by the CCA. For a proprietorship, the DSC is matched against the PAN in the IEC profile and both individual and organisation tokens are allowed; for any other entity, the organisation name in the DSC must match the name in the PAN database, so only organisation tokens work^[4].

To sign from your computer you install the drivers from your USB token and the eMBridge signing utility, which needs administrator rights^[4]. You can register the DSC under My Dashboard, 'View and Register Digital Signature Token', but only after you have applied for an IEC or linked one^[5].

Aadhaar e-sign as an alternative. On the same screen you can register for Aadhaar e-sign by entering the PAN, name as per PAN and date of birth, then authenticating with an OTP on the mobile linked to Aadhaar^[5]. IEC applications can be signed with either a digital token or Aadhaar^[5]. Restricted import applications, however, need a registered DSC^[6].

The IEC form is in sections. Mandatory fields are marked with a red asterisk, and a draft saves only once Basic Details and Firm Address are filled. Key screens, in order:

• General information. Nature of the firm, firm name, PAN and the name and date as in the PAN database, preferred activities, SEZ or EOU status, CIN (verified with MCA), GSTIN, firm mobile and email^[5].
• Address. The PIN decides the jurisdictional DGFT Regional Authority. Attach address proof; if the premises are not in the firm's name, include the owner's NOC in the same PDF^[5].
• Branches. Add branch addresses and GSTINs. One IEC covers all branches^[1].
• Proprietor, partners or directors. Directors are fetched from MCA for companies.
• Bank account. Account in the firm's name, validated through NPCI^[5].
• Declaration and signature. Sign with a DSC or Aadhaar e-sign^[5].
• Payment. Rs 500 through Bharatkosh^[5].

All uploads are PDF, maximum 5 MB^[5], and documents must be in English or Hindi, or translated with a self-certified copy^[1]. Once approved, the IEC is emailed to you, available under Print Certificate, and transmitted to CBIC; check 'CBIC Transmission Status' under My IEC^[5].

Every IEC holder must update its IEC details electronically every year during April to June; if nothing has changed, it must confirm that online^[7]. There is no fee^[3]. Skip it and the IEC is de-activated until you complete the update^[7].

The yearly update is not the only deadline. Changes in constitution, address, bank details or other primary details must be updated online within 30 days^[1], and the ANF-1 importer-exporter profile must be updated whenever something changes and at least once a year^[1].

The portal can also flag an IEC for scrutiny. If you do not resolve flagged risks in time, the IEC is de-activated^[7]. The IEC module has a screen to view flag details^[5]; check it when you log in.

You cannot modify a suspended or cancelled IEC through the normal route. The portal has separate requests for revoking a suspension or a cancellation, for surrender, for merger or demerger, and for removal from the Denied Entity List^[8].

An IEC is either active, de-activated (missed update or unresolved flag), suspended or cancelled, or listed on the Denied Entity List; each blocks different things^[7][6].

DGFT transmits the IEC to CBIC after issue, and you can see the 'CBIC Transmission Status' under 'My IEC'^[5]. Your ICEGATE registration then asks for that IEC alongside your GSTIN^[10].

If the IEC has not reached Customs, or its status is wrong, the bill of entry fails at submission. ICEGATE's error list includes 127 'IEC Not Registered', 125 'IEC Suspended', 126 'IEC Cancelled' and 105 'IEC/Branch invalid'^[11]. The fix is on the DGFT side: complete the update, revoke the suspension, or wait for the transmission, then refile. Where the GSTIN also needs linking, ICEGATE's IEC-GSTIN mapping takes up to 24 hours to show^[12].

Give your customs broker the IEC only after the transmission status shows success, and keep the customs clearance documents checklist for the rest of the file.

Products whose ITC(HS) policy is 'Restricted' or 'Prohibited' need DGFT action; most consumer electronics are 'Free' and need only the IEC plus product approvals such as BIS or WPC^[6].

Look up your code with our HS code approval finder, or read what an HS code controls. For the radio side of wireless goods, see the Saral Sanchar guide.

Some goods can be imported only with a DGFT authorisation. DGFT calls goods 'Restricted' when their import is permitted only with an authorisation, permission or licence, or under a procedure in a notification or public notice^[6]. Laptops, tablets and similar computers under HSN 8471 are reported to need an Import Management System authorisation for 2026^[13]; see our laptops page.

To apply, your user profile must be linked with an IEC and a valid DSC must be registered^[6]. Your IEC status matters: if the IEC is on the Denied Entity List, you can submit but the application is processed only after removal; if it is cancelled or suspended, you cannot submit at all^[6].

DGFT's FAQ describes the screens: draft applications under My Dashboard, Draft Applications; submitted ones, with their file number, life cycle, payment details and any deficiency letter, under My Dashboard, Submitted Applications. To reply to a deficiency, open the application, choose Respond Deficiency, and either attach documents or amend the application^[6].

DGFT authorisations are separate from other regulators' approvals. The DoT, for instance, says an ETA covers radio compliance only and its holders must get any DGFT clearance themselves^[17].

DGFT's fees are set in Appendix 2K of the Handbook of Procedures. Fees can be paid online by NEFT, debit card or credit card on the DGFT server, among other modes^[3]; the IEC fee goes through Bharatkosh^[5].

Most portal errors are mismatches between what you type and what another government database holds.

Call the DGFT helpline on 1800-572-1550 or 1800-111-550, or log a ticket through the DGFT Helpdesk Service on the portal^[18].

DGFT warns that spurious websites that look like its own, or use similar email addresses, collect money for services such as IEC certificates^[18]. The only fee for an IEC is Rs 500, paid on the official portal^[3][5]; a site charging more for an 'IEC certificate' is not DGFT.

Guard the DSC as well. DGFT cautioned trade after unauthorised access to some exporters' DSCs was used to record scrip transfers, and asked firms to check with their DSC vendor that no DSCs were issued against them without consent^[18]. Keep the token with a director or partner, not with an outside agent, and use Aadhaar e-sign where it is allowed^[5].

A proprietor in Pune plans to import Bluetooth speakers from China. Here is the DGFT side, step by step.

1. Register on dgft.gov.in with email and mobile OTPs and change the temporary password^[2].
2. Apply for the IEC in ANF-2A^[1] with PAN, a bank account in the firm's name and address proof^[8], uploading PDFs under 5 MB^[5].
3. Sign and pay. Sign with Aadhaar e-sign or DSC^[5] and pay Rs 500 through Bharatkosh^[5].
4. Wait for the bank check. NPCI validation can take up to 2 weeks for some banks^[5].
5. Confirm CBIC transmission under 'My IEC'^[5], then register on ICEGATE or hand the IEC to a broker.
6. Diary the update. Every April to June, free of charge^[7][3]; any later correction to an authorisation costs Rs 200^[3].

The IEC is only the entry ticket. The speakers also need BIS CRS and a WPC ETA. Our first electronics import checklist and documents required for import cover the rest, and we offer a free compliance check if you want the list for your product.