How to Link Old IEC On DGFT Portal?

Publishing Date: 24 Feb, 2025


Overview 

IEC registration contains a 10-digit alphanumeric number that helps businesses to thrive in the global market. This registration helps to identify the businesses to the goods and services globally. On registering your IEC registration for the first time, you will see the linking profile to allow businesses to officially identify themselves when engaging in international import export activities. On linking a user's profile to an existing IEC, it becomes a pass or gateway to allow their goods to import and export globally. If you also want to link your profile easily to IEC, then this blog is right for you. In this blog, we will provide you complete insights on how to link your profile to existing IEC, documents required and how a user will get to know whether their profile is linked to IEC or not. 

What is IEC Registration?

IEC Registration is the document for allowing businesses to import and export goods globally. This registration is issued by the Directorate General of Foreign import export (DGFT) and this code contains 10-alphanumeric digits. This code is valid for the lifetime of the goods and services. This code is mandated under Foreign import export (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 to obtain IEC registration and quote IEC for import export related business activities. 

Documents Required for Linking Profile to IEC 

Here is the list of documents required for linking profile to IEC registration:

  1. PAN card of an individual and entities 
  2. Email address and phone number of the IEC holder 
  3. Valid Aadhar Number and other details for e-sign authentication. 
  4. Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) of the business
  5. IEC Number 

Requirements for Linking Profile to IEC 

To link the profile to an existing Importer Exporter Code (IEC) on the DGFT portal, you would require to:

  1. Should have a valid login credentials of the user 
  2. User should have an active DSC or Aadhar for Proprietor or Members of the Firm 

How to Link your Profile to IEC with DGFT?

Here is the step-by-step procedures to link your profile to IEC with Directorate General of Foreign import export (DGFT):

Step 1: Visit the DGFT Portal

To link your profile to IEC of existing IEC registration, you need to login or sign up to the DGFT portal. For login the portal, you need to login the portal with required login credentials. In case you’re new to the IEC portal, register your business on the portal or if you have already registered, you need to apply for IEC. 

Step 2: Click on Link IEC 

To link your IEC profile with the IEC, you need to click on the Link IEC button which is shown at the top in the dashboard. A user can also navigate to find Link IEC on the dashboard in the main Menu, visiting My Dashboard→Importer Exporter Code→Link your profile to IEC. 

Step 3: Enter your IEC number 

Now enter your IEC number in the given box which you want to link with the IEC and then click on link IEC. 

Step 4: PAN Card Verification 

On entering your IEC number, the screen will eventually pop up with PAN card number verification where you need to enter the PAN number for verification. 

Step 5: Proceed with Signing Options

After the verification of the PAN card of the company/individual, your window is also a pop-up window, requesting for Sign Submission. By clicking either of these options for proceeding with signing any options- Aadhar e-sign and Digital Signature Certificate. You can also link your IEC with Aadhar or Digital Signature Certificate depending on your preference. 

Step 6: You will able to see IEC number 

On filling the IEC number and filing out the Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) details, the IEC will link successfully and a message is displayed on the user’s screen. The user will get the notification on linking profile to IEC and get the popping message on the screen itself that indicates successful linking to profile. 

How do a user know if IEC is linked?

Linking your profile means linking your IEC number to the DGFT portal so that a user will be able to import and export their goods globally. To know about if IEC is linked to a DGFT portal, you will need to follow below steps, which are as follows:

Step 1: User should login into DGFT portal 

Step 2: Navigate to Service tab 

Step 3: Select the user type

Step 4: Check if IEC number is displayed under the relevant section 

If the user’s IEC details are visible, then the IEC is linked to a profile on the DGFT portal. 

Conclusion 

For allowing goods and services across the global market, IEC registration is essential. By linking your IEC number on the DGFT portal, your business officially identifies themselves engaging in international import export . IEC acts as the unique identifier for custom clearance and regulatory compliance with Directorate General of Foreign import export (DGFT) on trading activities. For getting professional assistance to link your profile to existing IEC, you will get to link your IEC easily and hassle free. 

Frequently Asked Questions

1.Is Linking IEC with GST mandatory?

No, linking IEC with GST is not mandatory unless you’ve not registered themselves under GST.

2.What details are required for linking profile to IEC?

For linking your profile to IEC, you need to get the Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) details, existing login credentials, and registered email and phone number of an individual.

3.Can PAN and IEC be the same?

No, PAN and IEC are not the same document and PAN is not considered an alternative to IEC for import export activities.

4.Is there any fee associated with linking your profile to IEC?

No, there is no fee associated with linking your profile to IEC.

About the Author

CA Nayani Agarwal linkedin

All India Rank - 24

Nayani Agarwal is a Chartered Accounting who scored All India rank - 24 & 22 in CA final and CA intermediate respectively. She also scored an India rank - 21 in the Company Secretary foundation. She has overall 10 plus experience in banking and financial services. Her areas of expertise is startup consultancy, ESOP, Income Tax, GST, corporate Compliances & import expeort consultancy.