What is an IEC Code? | How to Apply for Import Export Code in India (2026) | Cashfree Payments
What Is an IEC Code? | How to Apply for Import Export Code in India (2026)
Planning to export products from India or start selling to customers overseas? One of the first things you'll need is an Import Export Code (IEC).
An IEC (Import Export Code) is a mandatory business registration issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) for businesses involved in importing or exporting goods. Without an active IEC, you generally cannot complete customs clearance for commercial imports or exports.
In this video, we explain what an IEC Code is, who needs one, how to apply online through the DGFT portal, the documents required, application fees, and the annual compliance requirement that many businesses overlook.
Whether you're a manufacturer, D2C brand, ecommerce seller, exporter, startup, or MSME looking to expand internationally, understanding the IEC registration process is one of the first steps toward global trade.
In this video, you'll learn:
What is an Import Export Code (IEC)?
Who needs an IEC in India?
Is an IEC mandatory for service exporters?
How to apply for an IEC Code online
Documents required for IEC registration
IEC application fees and processing
Annual IEC update requirements
Common mistakes businesses make with IEC compliance
How to prepare your business for international trade
Many businesses assume that having a PAN automatically means they have an IEC. That's not the case. While the IEC is now linked to your business PAN, you still need to register through the DGFT portal before you can legally import or export goods.
You'll also learn why it's important to update your IEC details every year, even if your business information hasn't changed, and how missing the annual update window can temporarily deactivate your IEC.
Once your compliance is in place, the next challenge is collecting payments from international customers. Businesses selling globally need a reliable way to accept payments in multiple currencies and receive settlements in India.
Cashfree Global Collections helps Indian businesses collect international payments from customers across the world. Accept payments in major currencies like USD, GBP, and EUR, receive settlements directly into your Indian bank account in INR, and access Foreign Inward Remittance Statements (FIRS) for your records.
If you're planning to export goods, grow your ecommerce business internationally, or expand your customer base beyond India, this video will help you understand one of the most important registrations required to get started.
👉 Subscribe to Cashfree Payments for practical guides on international payments, cross-border commerce, payment gateways, ecommerce growth, export compliance, global collections, Shopify, online business, and everything you need to grow globally.
#iec2026 #internationalshipping #cashfree