Digital Signature not Required for IEC, PAN Copy Sufficient

· Address Proof and Cancelled Cheque Enough for Application

[Trade Notice No. 23/2018-19 dated 8 August 2018]

Subject: Amendment in Policy and Procedure for online IEC applications- regd

It has been observed that exporters/importers are facing various problems in obtaining and modifying Importer-Exporter Code due to, inter alia, internet browser dependencies and other browser settings of digital signatures. In any case, PAN of the entity has been made IEC w.e.f 1.7.2017 vide Trade Notice No 9 dated 12.6.2017 and thus only one IEC is issued against one PAN. Therefore, in order to automate the process of issue of IEC and thereby simplifying the business procedures for improving "Ease of doing business", automatic PAN verification has been now enforced in the IEC system. For this purpose, the DGFT vide Public Notice No 27 dated 8.8.2018 has notified that IEC will henceforth be system generated and applicant will have the facility of taking a print out of IEC. Further, following the integration of PAN web service of CBDT with DGFT's web server and automatic system based verification of PAN details with PAN database of CBDT, requirement of Digital Signature for submitting IEC applications is being done away with and Para 2.08 and 2.14 on IEC have been accordingly revised.

2. Detailed guidelines in the matter are laid down here as under:

(i) With the Integration of PAN web service of CBDT with DGFT's web server, requirement of copy of PAN as one of the mandatory documents for Applicant's validation is removed. Accordingly, effective from 9.8.2018, online applications for IEC will require only 2 documents to be uploaded electronically.ie. (i)Address Proof the applicant entity (as detailed in annex), and (ii) Cancelled cheque bearing entity’s pre printed name or Bank certificate.

(ii) Digital signature for submitting applications for fresh Importer-Exporter Code (IEC) or amendment of IEC will not be required w.e.f. 9 .8.2018.

(iii) On submission of complete application with fees and requisite documents, IEC will be auto-generated and intimation regarding allotment of IEC will be sent to the applicant, through SMS and email, with the hyperlink to download and print the e-IEC.

(iv) RAs would conduct post-verification of online IECs as per the guidelines. Applicant will be liable for penal/criminal action for furnishing of wrong I incomplete information and IEC will be suspended/ cancelled in such cases besides taking other legal action against the applicant.

(v) As per the current practice, an e-IEC holder shall update his profile immediately after issuance of e-IEC. ANF-1 of the Handbook of Procedure (2015-20) contains the profile of the importer/exporter. IEC Holder shall be responsible for updating the same as and when a change takes place immediately or in any case at least once in a year as per para 2.15 of Handbook of Procedure (2015-20).

(vi) Entities seeking any benefit from any authority, by claiming status as manufacturer exporter, will have to prove its credence for the same, independently to that authority.

[Click here for Guidelines and Annexure to this Trade Notice]