Submitted your Importer Exporter Code (IEC) application and waiting for the code? You can track the application from your DGFT dashboard. This guide shows where to find it, what each status means, and what to do if your application is under review, marked deficient or rejected. New to IEC? Here’s how DGFT and IEC differ, or you can apply for IEC registration with our help.
Already have an IEC? This page is about applications that haven’t been issued yet. To check an IEC that has already been issued, see how to check whether your IEC is valid.
Quick Summary
To track your IEC application, log in to the DGFT portal and go to My Dashboard → Submitted Applications. Search with scheme “IEC”, then open your application to see its status and the actions available.
- Application tracking needs your DGFT login; it is different from checking an IEC that has already been issued.
- The statuses you may see are Under Automatic Review, Auto Approved / Approved, In Progress, Deficient and Rejected.
- Under Automatic Review usually means bank-account validation through NPCI is pending, which can take up to 2 weeks for some banks.
- If your application is Deficient, use “Respond To Deficiency” to read the deficiency letter and respond.
- Once approved, you can download your e-IEC from the DGFT dashboard.
Need help with your IEC application?
Talk to our experts for IEC filing, deficiency responses and DGFT support.
How to Track Your IEC Application on DGFT
Step 1: Log in to the DGFT Portal
Go to the official DGFT website (https://www.dgft.gov.in) and log in with the account you used to apply.
Step 2: Open “Submitted Applications”
From the menu, go to My Dashboard → Submitted Applications.
Step 3: Search for Your Application
Select the scheme and sub-scheme relevant to your IEC application. Other fields, such as branch, date range, application number and file number, can be used as optional filters.
Step 4: Check the Status and Available Actions
Your submitted applications are listed. Click Action on your application to see what you can do next, for example view its life cycle, download the payment receipt or respond to a deficiency.
Security note: Don’t share your DGFT password or OTP with anyone. Where DGFT requires authentication, complete the login, OTP, Aadhaar e-Sign or DSC step yourself.
Source: DGFT IEC Module User Help File V4.1. DGFT updates its portal from time to time, so menu labels may change slightly.
What Your IEC Application Status Means
| Status | What It Means | What to Do |
| Under Automatic Review | The application is undergoing automatic processing while the required bank-account validation is pending or being completed | Wait for the validation result. If DGFT asks for further action, follow the action shown in the application |
| Auto Approved / Approved | The application has been approved. For a new IEC application, the IEC can then be viewed and downloaded from the DGFT dashboard | Download your e-IEC (and the approved letter, where shown) and set a reminder for the annual update |
| In Progress | The request is still being processed | You can attach extra documents, or submit a withdrawal request (sent to the concerned DGFT officer, not automatic) |
| Deficient | DGFT has raised a deficiency | Open “Respond To Deficiency”, read the deficiency letter and respond |
| Rejected | The application was not accepted, for example where bank validation failed | Check the rejection reason shown in the application and follow the applicable corrective process |
Status names are as used in DGFT’s IEC Module User Help File V4.1. The portal may show slightly different wording.
Why Is My Application “Under Automatic Review”?
DGFT verifies the firm’s bank details through NPCI. The manual says this usually happens in near real time (a few seconds), but for some banks it may take up to 2 weeks. Until the bank responds, the application shows Under Automatic Review. The status then updates, for example to Auto Approved if validation succeeds or Rejected if it fails. For a new IEC application, the manual states that the IEC is created after successful bank-account validation (IEC Module User Help File V4.1).
What If My Application Is Deficient or Rejected?
Deficient
Open the application and choose Respond To Deficiency. You’ll see the deficiency issue date, the DGFT regional office, the deficiency letter and remarks. You can respond by amending the application or without amending it.
Rejected
Check the rejection reason shown in the DGFT application. If the issue relates to bank validation, correct the bank details and follow the applicable DGFT process. Where an incomplete application is eligible for reopening, DGFT permits it to be reopened after the deficiencies are rectified. If deficiencies are not rectified within 90 days, the application is deemed to have been withdrawn (Handbook of Procedures 2023, para 2.05).
Stuck on a deficiency or a rejection? Our team can review the DGFT remarks and help you respond or reapply correctly. Share your details through our Expert Consultation form.
Common Issues That Can Delay or Prevent IEC Application Processing
- The PAN details don’t match the Income Tax records
- Bank-account validation is pending or unsuccessful
- The address proof isn’t in the entity’s name and the NOC is missing
- The required DSC or Aadhaar authentication isn’t completed (see which digital signature you need for DGFT)
- Other deficiencies in the application or documents
Other Things You Can Do From “Submitted Applications”
- Print the submitted application
- Attach documents while the request is In Progress
- Payment details: check the payment and download the receipt
- View life cycle: see which action was taken, when and by whom
- Transmission details: track transmission of the IEC to Customs (CBIC) and the CBIC response
- DSC/e-sign details: check the signing details used
- View approved letter: download it once the request is Approved
- Withdraw a request that is still In Progress. Withdrawal is not automatic; the request goes to the concerned DGFT officer for action
After Your IEC Is Approved
- For a new IEC, you’re informed by email and SMS, and you can view and download the e-IEC from your dashboard (HBP 2023, para 2.08(b)). See how to download your IEC certificate.
- The IEC is transmitted to CBIC. You can see the CBIC Transmission Status under My IEC.
- Plan for the annual IEC updation every April–June (FTP 2023, para 2.05(d)). See our guide to annual IEC updation, or use our IEC renewal and update service.
IEC Application Status vs IEC Status
| IEC Application Status (This Page) | IEC Status | |
| For | An application not yet issued | An IEC already issued |
| Where | My Dashboard → Submitted Applications (after login) | Separate View Any IEC facility under Services → View IEC Related Details |
| Needs | Your DGFT login | IEC number + at least the first 3 characters of the firm name |
| Shows | Application status and actions | IEC details, IEC status (e.g. “Valid”) and DEL status |
To check an issued IEC, see how to check whether your IEC is valid.
Conclusion
Your IEC application can be tracked from My Dashboard → Submitted Applications. Bank-account validation can be a source of delay, particularly where NPCI validation remains pending. PAN, bank and address details should also match the information and documents DGFT requires before you submit.
Want Your IEC Filed Without Delays?
Our team checks your PAN, bank and address documents before submission, so your application goes in right the first time. Apply for IEC registration or talk to our experts today.
FAQs on IEC Application Status
1. How do I check my IEC application status online?
Log in to the DGFT portal, go to My Dashboard → Submitted Applications, search with scheme “IEC”, and open your application to see its status and available actions.
2. Can I check my IEC application status without logging in?
Application tracking is done from your DGFT dashboard after logging in. Once an IEC has been issued, you can use DGFT’s separate View Any IEC facility (Services → View IEC Related Details) to retrieve its details with the IEC number and firm name.
3. What does “Under Automatic Review” mean?
The application is undergoing automatic processing while bank-account validation through NPCI is pending or being completed. The status updates when the validation result comes in.
4. How long does IEC approval take?
There is no fixed government timeline. For a new IEC application, the IEC is created after successful bank-account validation. DGFT’s manual says that is usually near real time, but can take up to 2 weeks for some banks.
5. What should I do if my IEC application is deficient?
Use “Respond To Deficiency” on the application, read the deficiency letter and remarks, and respond by amending the application or without amending it.
6. My IEC application was rejected. What now?
Check the rejection reason shown in the application and follow the applicable corrective process. Where an incomplete application is eligible for reopening, it can be reopened after the deficiencies are rectified; if they aren’t rectified within 90 days, it is deemed withdrawn.
7. Can I withdraw my IEC application?
If the request is still In Progress, you can submit a withdrawal request from Submitted Applications. Withdrawal is not automatic; it is sent to the concerned DGFT officer for action.
8. Where do I download my IEC after approval?
From your DGFT dashboard. You’re also informed by email and SMS. See how to download your IEC certificate.
9. What is CBIC transmission status?
After issue, the IEC is transmitted to Customs (CBIC). You can see the CBIC Transmission Status under My IEC, and the Transmission Details under the application’s actions.
Sources
- DGFT, IEC Module User Help File V4.1 (updated Feb 2026): Submitted Applications, statuses, NPCI validation, deficiency response, CBIC transmission, View Any IEC.
- DGFT, Handbook of Procedures 2023: para 2.05 (incomplete applications), 2.08(b) (auto-generation), 2.09 (View IEC Related Details).
- DGFT, Foreign Trade Policy 2023, Chapter 2: para 2.05(d) (annual updation).
