India: DGFT starts online filing, processing of IEC applications, issue of e IECs

Trade & Policy

India: DGFT starts online filing, processing of IEC applications, issue of e IECs

Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) has started operationalising online filing of Importer Exporter Code (IEC) applications, online processing and issue of e-IECs in digital format. Now 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.

Even 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.

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

Efforts are underway to allow/enable payment of fee through debit/credit cards, which would further facilitate this process. Once implemented the online system will be made mandatory. 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.

Efforts are also underway for message exchange/integration of the 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).

This is an important and path breaking initiative by Department of Commerce/DGFT towards "Digital India" vision of Prime Minister of India and "Ease of Doing Business".