INTRODUCTION Setting-up an export business requires basic documentation such as a Permanent Account Number (PAN card), Importer Exporter Code (IEC) from DGFT office and opening a bank account. Other key factors include knowledge of trading systems, FTP and Industrial Policy, access to market information, ensuring product quality and compliance with export procedures & documentation.

1. LICENCING PROCEDURE FOR
EXPORT AND IMPORT
By Mohammed Asrar

2. INTRODUCTION
• Setting up an export business requires basic
documentation such as a Permanent Account
Number (PAN card), Importer Exporter Code (IEC)
from DGFT office and opening a bank account.
• Other key factors include knowledge of trading
systems, FTP and Industrial Policy, access to
market information, ensuring product quality
and compliance with export procedures &
documentation.

3. PROCEDURE
• An import export business license in India is
called an IEC Code(import/export code).
• It is a unique, 10-digit code issued by the
government of India to registered Indian
companies.
• This code is provided by the Director General of
Foreign Trade, or DGFT, which is part of the
Ministry of Commerce.
• The eligibility, legal provisions and other
conditions for an IEC Code application is defined
under the Foreign Trade (Regulation) Rules, 1993
stated by the Ministry of Commerce.

4. contd
• An application for granting an IEC Code number should
be made by the organization’s Head Office or
Registered Office, and to the nearest Regional
Authority for the Directorate General Foreign Trade.
• The applicant must fill up the ANF2A form, which will
also state some documents that need to be attached
with it during submission.
• When there are BTP, EHTP or STPI units concerned, the
DGFT regional office that has jurisdiction over the
location of the STPI unit head office shall issue the IEC
Code.

5. contd
• For each PAN number, there is only one IEC
Code number issued. A proprietor who has
more than one IEC Code number would have
to surrender the extra ones to the Regional
Office and cancel them.
• The ANF2A form, which is short for Aayaat
Niryaat Form
• Apart from the ANF2A application form, you
would also have to submit an Appendix- 18B
form.

6. Contd...
• This form must be attested by the banker of the
applicant, and must contain the applicant’s
letterhead along with a passport size photograph.
• The application fee is around Rs. 250. This fee has
to be paid as a Demand Draft or Pay Order from a
designated bank, drawn in the favour of Zonal
Joint Director General of Foreign Trade.
• The amount can also be paid through Electronic
Fund Transfer from a bank nominated by the
DGFT.

7. contd
• The application for an import and export license
must be complete in all the specified areas as per
the relevant provisions given by the policies.
• The applicant also has to sign the application,
according to paragraph 9.9 of the policy.
• If there is any change in the information given in
the ANF2A form, the import and export license
holder has to intimate it accordingly to the
Regional authority that issued the IEC Code
number in the first place