Every Importer Exporter Code (IEC) holder has to update the IEC on the DGFT portal once a year, during April–June, even if nothing about the business has changed. People usually call this “IEC renewal”; DGFT calls it annual IEC updation. This guide walks through the process step by step, what it costs, and what happens if you miss it. If you’re new to the terms, here’s how DGFT and IEC differ. Prefer to have it done for you? See our IEC renewal and update service.
Quick Summary
Log in to the DGFT portal, click Update/Modify IEC on the dashboard, review every section (address, proprietor/partner/director details, bank account, preferred export sectors), change anything outdated or confirm it as is, accept the declaration, sign, and submit. Annual updation during April–June has no DGFT fee.
Is It Mandatory to Renew IEC Every Year?
Yes, in the sense most people mean. An IEC doesn’t need to be renewed like a time-limited licence: it has permanent validity unless it is suspended or cancelled (Handbook of Procedures 2023, para 2.10). But the Foreign Trade Policy 2023 requires every IEC holder to ensure the IEC details are updated electronically every year during April–June. Where nothing has changed, the details still have to be confirmed online (para 2.05(d)).
IEC Annual Update Due Date and Fee
| Item | Detail |
| When | Every year, during April–June |
| Who | Every IEC holder |
| If nothing changed | Still required: confirm the details online |
| Government fee | Annual updation during April–June: Nil (HBP 2023, Appendix 2K, item 6(A)). IEC amendment/correction: ₹200 (item 6). For an overdue update or reactivation: check the fee displayed by the DGFT portal before payment |
| Where | Online, on the DGFT portal. The process is completely online (FTP 2023, para 2.05(c)) |
DGFT has, in some years, extended the April–June window by notification, so a particular year’s deadline can differ. If you are close to the deadline, check the current DGFT notices.
Before You Start
- A DGFT login linked to your IEC. If your login isn’t linked yet, use Link IEC first (see below).
- Authentication. The submission is signed using the applicable DGFT signing option, such as DSC or Aadhaar-based e-Sign. See which digital signature you need for DGFT.
- Supporting documents depend on the field being changed. For example, an address change may require address proof and, where applicable, an NOC; a bank-account change may require a cancelled cheque or bank certificate.
- Your IEC’s current state. If you’re not sure it’s active, first check whether your IEC is valid. A suspended or cancelled IEC can’t go through this process.
Security note: Don’t share your DGFT password or OTP with anyone. Complete the login, OTP, Aadhaar e-Sign or DSC steps yourself.
How to Do the Annual IEC Update on DGFT (Step by Step)
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 linked to your IEC.
Step 2: Open “Update/Modify IEC”
Click Update/Modify IEC on the dashboard, or go to Services → IEC Profile Management → Update/Modify IEC.
Step 3: Start the Application
Choose Start Fresh Application, or Proceed with Existing Application if you saved a draft earlier.
Step 4: Review Each Section
Review the sections displayed in Update/Modify IEC and update any details that have changed. The sections described in DGFT’s manual include:
- General information: firm address, city and PIN, with the address proof if the address changes
- Proprietor / partner / director / Karta / managing trustee details
- Bank account details, with a cancelled cheque or bank certificate if the account changes
- Other details, such as preferred export sectors
Depending on the field being changed, DGFT may require supporting documents.
If nothing has changed, review the details and confirm them as they are. The annual confirmation is still required.
Step 5: Declaration
Accept the declaration and enter the place.
Step 6: Sign and Submit
Check the application summary, sign using the applicable signing option (DSC or Aadhaar-based e-Sign), and pay any fee shown before submitting.
Step 7: After You Submit
Once the update is processed, you can access the IEC certificate through the DGFT portal (“Print Certificate” under Manage IEC). DGFT may also send it to your registered email address. See how to download your IEC certificate.
Only if you changed the bank account: DGFT validates the new account through NPCI. The application stays “Under Automatic Review” until the validation result comes in, and the response time varies by bank.
You can track the submission under My Dashboard → Submitted Applications.
Source: DGFT IEC Module User Help File V4.1, “Modify IEC” and “What’s New”. DGFT updates its portal from time to time, so labels may change slightly.
Is Your Login Not Linked to Your IEC? Use “Link IEC”
If you registered on the DGFT portal but your IEC isn’t showing on the dashboard, link it first: log in, click Link IEC, enter the IEC number, and complete the digital-signature step. You’ll get an “IEC Linked successfully” confirmation, and you can then do the update. Linking and updating are two separate steps.
What Can Be Updated
Depending on the applicable IEC fields, you can update details such as the firm’s address, proprietor/partner/director information, bank-account details and other IEC particulars. The supporting documents depend on the field being changed. For address changes in particular, see how to change your IEC address or other details.
Don’t wait for April–June to report changes. If the firm’s constitution, address, bank details or any other primary details change, the IEC holder must update the IEC details online within 30 days of the change (Handbook of Procedures 2023, para 2.14(b)). This is separate from the annual April–June confirmation.
What Happens If You Miss the Annual Update?
Under para 2.05(e) of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, an IEC that is not updated within the prescribed period shall be de-activated. A deactivated IEC may be activated again on its successful updation. This is without prejudice to any other action for violating the Foreign Trade Policy.
Separately, an IEC may be flagged for scrutiny. The holder must address any risks flagged by the system in time, or the IEC will be deactivated (para 2.05(f)).
A suspended or cancelled IEC is different: a modification application can’t proceed while the IEC is in that state, so those cases need a separate process.
Deadline close, or IEC already deactivated? Our team can check your IEC status and prepare the update with you. See our IEC renewal and update service or share your details through our Expert Consultation form.
Common Myths About IEC Renewal
| Myth | Fact |
| “IEC must be renewed every few years” | No fixed-term renewal: permanent validity unless suspended or cancelled, with an annual April–June update |
| “If nothing changed, I don’t need to update” | You still have to confirm the details online every year (FTP 2.05(d)) |
| “Missing the annual update automatically creates a penalty” | The FTP provides for deactivation when the IEC isn’t updated in time (2.05(e)). If the portal shows a fee when you complete an overdue update or a modification, verify the amount before payment |
| “You have to visit the DGFT office” | The process is completely online (FTP 2.05(c)) |
| “IEC is a 10- or 12-digit number” | It is a 10-character alpha-numeric number. Under FTP 2.05 it is the same as the PAN and separately issued by DGFT |
FAQs on IEC Renewal and Annual Update
1. Is it mandatory to renew IEC every year?
The annual updation is mandatory: every IEC holder must update the IEC electronically every year during April–June, and confirm the details online even when nothing has changed (FTP 2023, para 2.05(d)). The IEC itself doesn’t need renewal like a time-limited licence.
2. What is the due date for the IEC annual update?
April–June every year. DGFT has extended the window in some years by notification, so check the current notice.
3. What is the fee for the IEC annual update?
Nil for annual updation during April–June (Appendix 2K, item 6(A)). A modification carries ₹200.
4. How do I renew my IEC online?
Log in to the DGFT portal, click Update/Modify IEC, review or change each section, accept the declaration, sign using the applicable option, and submit.
5. Do I need to update my IEC if nothing has changed?
Yes. The details must be confirmed online every year.
6. What happens if I don’t update my IEC?
It will be deactivated. It can be activated again on successful updation.
7. Can I update my IEC after June?
The requirement is to update during April–June. If you missed it and the IEC was deactivated, completing the updation can reactivate it. Check the fee displayed by the portal before paying.
8. Why can’t I see my IEC on the DGFT dashboard?
Your login may not be linked to the IEC yet. Use Link IEC, enter the IEC number and complete the digital-signature step.
9. Do I need a new IEC if my old one is deactivated?
Not merely because it was deactivated for missing the annual update. FTP 2023 provides that a deactivated IEC may be activated on successful updation. A new IEC is needed if a change in constitution gives the entity a different PAN (within 30 days, HBP 2023, para 2.14(e)), or if you have never had one: apply for a new IEC.
10. If our address or bank changes mid-year, can we wait for April–June?
No. Changes to constitution, address, bank details or other primary details must be updated online within 30 days of the change (HBP 2023, para 2.14(b)).
Conclusion
The annual IEC update is required every April–June, even when no IEC details have changed. The IEC itself doesn’t expire just because a year has passed, but failing to complete the required update can result in deactivation. Keep your DGFT login linked to your IEC, have the required authentication ready, and set a yearly reminder for the April–June window.
Want It Handled With You?
Our IEC renewal and update service covers the annual update, reactivation and modifications.
Sources
- DGFT, Foreign Trade Policy 2023, Chapter 2: para 2.05 (IEC), 2.05(c) (online process), 2.05(d) (annual updation), 2.05(e) (deactivation), 2.05(f) (scrutiny).
- DGFT, Handbook of Procedures 2023: para 2.10 (validity), 2.14(b) and (e) (30-day rule; new PAN).
- DGFT, HBP 2023 Appendix 2K: item 6(A) annual updation April–June Nil; item 6 amendment/correction ₹200.
- DGFT, IEC Module User Help File V4.1 (updated Feb 2026): Update/Modify IEC, Link IEC, NPCI validation, suspended/cancelled note.
