Ask any 10 exporters what they paid for their IEC code and you will hear 10 different answers. Some paid Rs. 500, a few paid Rs. 999, and a few were charged up to Rs. 15,000 for the same 10-digit number.
The chaos is expected, because the Importer-Exporter Code is just one licence that has two vastly different elements of cost: a statutory fee to the DGFT and an optional professional fee. This guide separates the two, lists every surcharge you may encounter, and shows what a realistic IEC license cost looks like in 2026.
What Are the Fees for IEC Code Registration in India?
The government fee for IEC registration is a fixed ₹500 payable online by net banking or UPI or debit or credit card on the DGFT portal. That fee is standardized and is the same irrespective of any consideration of the state you are in, or the city, the turnover or the kind of entity. Anything extra you may be charged is a fee charged by an intermediary.
| Cost head | Typical amount (INR) | Mandatory? |
| Government fee (DGFT) | ₹500 | Yes |
| Digital signature (DSC) | Varies by token type | Yes, for online filing |
| Professional / filing fee | ₹0 to ₹15,000 | No |
| Renewal or annual fee | Nil | Not applicable |
For a DIY applicant, cost is approximately ₹ 500 + (one time DSC). Fully assisted e-filing by a consultant will range between ₹ 1,499 to ₹ 15,500.
Why Do Quoted IEC Code Charges Vary So Much?
Because a consultant rolls everything into the quote. A filing fee of ₹999 generally covers just filings, but a fee of ₹5,000 to ₹15,000 might encompass filings, docs procuring, DSCs, DGFT, query follow-up, AD code assistance, etc.
The number goes up based on how many branches you have, if you don’t have a specified address proof, and how complicated your entity structure is.
When you read the bill this way, you turn that confusing bracket into one straightforward question: how much of the money is statutory, and how much is convenience?
How to Take IEC Registration?
Everything can be completed on the internet for IEC registration and for a ready applicant, it takes less than an hour of real work. The ANF-2A form is filed on the DGFT portal and in general, the licence is issued within 1-3 working days. More often than not, it is not a delay of the department but a mismatch of documents.
- Set up a DGFT profile — you will need to sign up with your PAN and email and upload a valid digital signature certificate. You will not be able to complete your application without an operational DSC.
- File ANF-2A — Enter the entity name, business address and bank details exactly as it is on your documents. We will send clarification requests for any mismatch, which will add days to the process.
- Upload documents required — PAN / Aadhaar or passport, address proof, a cancelled cheque or bank certificate, a recent photograph.
- Pay ₹500 and submit — Payments are taken on the portal, and the receipt should be saved for your records.
- Download the IEC — after the IEC is approved, it can be downloaded and the code will be live on the DGFT database on the same day.
Can I Start an Import/Export Business in India?
Yes, there is no minimum turnover for registration. An IEC can be obtained by any Indian proprietorship, partnership LLP, private limited company, HUF, trust, or society. Only one IEC is allowed per PAN and registration of the IEC is necessary before business activities, since as a matter of policy, customs will not clear your consignment and your bank cannot process foreign remittances.
Do IEC Fees Change by Entity Type?
No. The Rs. 500 DGFT charge is the same whether you are a sole proprietor in Coimbatore or a private limited business in Mumbai. The professional price might fluctuate since the company submitting has extra paperwork like a board decision, MOA references, and director KYC; yet, these usually are service charges, not statutory IEC code charges.
Other Charges Beyond IEC: AD Code, RCMC and LUT
The IEC is just the admission ticket, not the entire ticket. Most exporters require three additional registrations, each requiring a fee and an issuer, before the first load is even shipped.
- AD Code — given by your bank, and entered at the customs port from where the shipment will sail. It is cross-linked to the concerned port and a pre-requisite to accessing the export proceeds.
- RCMC — The Registration Cum Membership Certificate of the concerned Export Promotion Council. While the council charges a fee for membership and a nominal application fee, the certificate entitles exporters for export incentives.
- LUT — Letter of Undertaking to be submitted on the GST portal in Form GST RFD-11 for exporting without payment of IGST. No fees are payable for filing LUT. It has to be renewed for each FY.
How Do I Calculate Export Duty in India?
Export duty is applicable on goods, and not on licence. It is calculated based on HS code, customs assessable value and notified tariff rate for that product, rebates like RoDTEP are managed as separate lines via ICEGATE. Duty for most of the goods is nil, so don’t add it into IEC code fees, you should have a separate heading for it.
Working out all 4 registration costs at once shows what it actually costs to get going with shipping, instead of just having a code.
IEC License Cost Over Time: Lifetime Validity and Modifications
The IEC here has an advantage over any other licences. It does not have an expiry date as well as a renewal fee and no annual submission instead of an FSSAI licence or a trade licence.
- Changing or updating — if you change your name, address, or the constitution of the entity, you must file an amendment. You do this via the DGFT portal and there’s a small fee.
- Bank and AD Code updates — Setting up your new current account or including a port is done with your bank at a small charge.
- Verification is free — Anyone can verify an IEC on the DGFT public portal to verify that it is authentic, active, and registered in the correct name.
Quick Glance: IEC Code Fees Checklist
- Government fee: ₹500 flat, payable on the DGFT portal.
- Professional fee: ₹0 for self-filing, ₹999 to ₹15,000 for assisted filing.
- Renewal fee: nil, lifetime validity
- Register as a companion: AD Code, RCMC, LUT.
- Export duty: distinct, computed for merchandise
As IEC is one of the cheapest licences to get in India, you need to identify the statutory elements and those, which are based on the service, and then add the companion registrations to this cost upfront. This way, the rest of your export planning becomes simpler. At Foxtax, we help first time exporters to manage the compliance for IEC filing, AD Code linkage and the compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the IEC government fee the same in every Indian city?
Yes. The ₹500 DGFT fee is the same across India. There is a higher fee listed on the city pages because it includes consultant charges in the final fee figure.
Do I need a consultant to file an IEC?
No. Self-filing on the DGFT portal is totally allowed and is Rs 500 + digital signature. Consultants are only helpful in document preparation and help with the errors.
How do I verify an IEC code?
Search the code on DGFT public database it is free and instant. It shows the name and status of the holder. You can also follow a step-by-step guide to verify an IEC code online.