Online Filing of IEC from 1 Feb 2015 with Net Banking

· Manual Option Remains Open

· Decisions within Two Days Promised

[DGFT Public Notice No. 83 dated 30^th January 2015]

Directorate General of Foreign Trade has started operationalising online filing of Importer Exporter Code (IEC) applications, online processing and issue of e-IECs in digital format. DGFT says, "new entrepreneurs/exporters/importers can apply online for issue of new IEC from the comfort of their home/IT Kiosk with no more visits to the Regional Authority’s office required, and upload the documents and pay the required fee through Net banking".

The processing of such applications by Regional Authority of DGFT would be done online (no paper work in the office; less storage space required and no misplaced documents) and the digitally signed e-IEC (no more IECs in physical form) would be issued/emailed to the applicants within two working days.

Rejection Letter to Substitute Deficiency Letter

In case the application is incomplete or otherwise ineligible, the same shall be rejected and an auto generated Rejection letter/email (with reasons for rejection) would be sent to the applicant - within two working days only. There would not be any ‘Deficiencies letters’ now (no more discretion at the level of RAs and consequent elimination of possible delays and corruption).

The DGFT says efforts are underway to allow/enable payment of fee through Debit/Credit cards, which would further facilitate this process. The Online system will be made eventually. However, till such time payment through Debit/Credit cards is enabled, the existing offline/manual system has also been allowed side by side, in order to facilitate those applicants who do not have Net banking facility.

Online Verification of PAN and Company Detail

Efforts are also underway for message exchange/integration of our system with Income Tax department and Ministry of Corporate Affair for verification of PAN and DIN/CIN details respectively. Once implemented, this would further reduce the processing time of e-IEC applications at RA level (possibly one day only).

Subject: Online IEC applications: Operationalisation of the Public Notice No. 76 dated 27/11/2014.

The operationalisation of the mandatory system of online applications for IEC with effect from 01/01/2015 was notified vide Public Notice 76 dated 27/11/2014. This was, however, kept in abeyance vide Public Notice No. 80 dated 6.1.2015.

2. Now, in exercise of powers conferred under paragraph 2.4 of the Foreign Trade Policy (2009-2014), the Director General of Foreign Trade hereby notifies operationalisation of the new system of applications for online IEC with effect from 01/02/2015. Applicants having access to net-banking facility with the following ten notified banks, namely, i) HDFC Bank; ii) ICICI Bank; iii) Bank of India; iv) State Bank of India; v) Central Bank of India; vi) Punjab National Bank; vii) IDBI; viii) Axis Bank; ix) Union Bank of India; x) Oriental Bank of Commerce, can apply online in the format notified vide Public Notice No. 76 (RE-2013), dated 27/11/2014 as per detailed guidelines laid down in Public Notice No.79 dated 31/12/2014.

3. Applicants who do not have access to net banking through the above banks can submit manual applications for IEC as before (existing prior to 01/02/2015), in physical form in the existing format (ANF-2A) and procedure with documents as prescribed therein, until further notice.

4. Effect of this Public Notice

The new system of online applications for IEC as per the Public Notice No. 76 (RE-2013)/2009-2014 dated the 27th November, 2014 will be operationalized with effect from 01/02/2015. The facility of submission of application in manual mode will, however, continue for those applicants who do not have access to net banking facility with the ten notified banks, as listed in Para 2 above. Applicants, applying for IEC in manual mode, may utilise the existing format (ANF 2A, as existing prior to 01/02/2015) and procedure to submit applications to RA’s office with documents as prescribed therein.