IEC Status Check: Step-by-Step Process to Check Your IEC Application Online
List of Services
AFLEO Consultants DGFT Regional office
- IEC and its modification/Yearly Update/IEC Surrender.
- Revoke IEC from DEL, Suspension, Cancellation etc / Merger/Demerger of IEC’s.
- DGFT Identity card.
- Advance License - Issuance and Redemptions
- Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG) License – Issuance and Redemptions
- Duty-Free Import Authorization (DFIA)
- Remission of Duties or Taxes on Export Product (RoDTEP)
- Merchandise Exports from India Scheme (MEIS)
- Services Exports from India Scheme (SEIS)
- Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL)
- Transport and Marketing Assistance (TMA)
- Certificates of Origin (COO) – SAPTA, APTA, ISLFTA, GSTP, India–Dubai CEPA, etc.
- Import Monitoring System (IMS) – Steel IMS, Coal IMS, Copper/Aluminium IMS, Chip IMS
- Deemed Export Benefits – Apply for Refund of TED/DBK/Brand rate Fixation.
- Star Export House Certificate.
- Free Sale & Commerce Certificate, End User Certificate.
- Enforcement cum Adjudication Proceedings at RA Mumbai.
- E-RCMC Certificate from DGFT – APEDA, FIEO, EEPC, PHARMEXCIL, CHEMEXCIL ETC.
- Gems & Jewelry Schemes.
- Application for Interest Equalization Scheme.
- REX Registration.
- FREE SALE AND COMMERCE CERTIFICATE.
- Abeyance Cases for IEC’s in DEL.
- END USER CERTIFICATE.
DGFT HQ, New Delhi
- Norms Fixation - Handling 25+ Norms Fixation cases every month across various Product groups. (Engineering, Pharmaceutical, Chemical, Textiles & Leather, Plastic & Rubber, Food, Sports & Misc. products)
- Policy Relaxation Committee (PRC Matters) - Proudly representing 20+ cases every month.
- EPCG Committee Approvals - Handling 10+ complex cases every month
- Permission for Restricted/Negative list of Import Items & Export Items - Experience in Handling 100+ cases till date.
- Registration Certificates for Export & Import Items.
- SCOMET Licenses.
- TRQ (Tariff Rate Quotas)
- Appeal Matters under FTP.
Custom Related Services
- AA/EPCG/DFIA License Registration.
- Bond & Bank Guarantee (BG) Cancellation of EPCG/Advance License.
- ICEGATE Registration.
- Refund under Section 74.
- Pending Duty Drawback from Customs.
- Factory stuffing– Self-sealing permission. [FSP]
- Pending IGST Refund from Customs.
- Removal of IEC from the Alert list of Customs.
- GST Services – Refund of ITC from GST.
- Authorized Economic Operator (AEO T1, T2 & T3) certification.
- Reply & Follow-up of Customs Notices if any.
- GST Services – Refund of GST for Service Exporters.
- AD Code/IFSC Registration.
- SIIB Matters (Special Investigation and Intelligence Branch)
- SVB Matters.
- Registration Procedures for First-time Importers/ Exporters
- DPD/DPE Registration.
Other Certification:
- All Types of Digital Signature Certificates.
- Health Certificate for Export Products
- EPR Certification for Producers, Importers and Brand owners.
- Phytosanitory Certificate.
- BIS Certification.
- Banking & RBI related liaison for Exporters & Importers.
AFLEO logistics
- Sea Cargo Consolidation – Import & Export
- Sea Freight Forwarding - Import & Export
- Air freight - Import & Export
- Land freight
- Warehousing
- Customs clearance
- Insurance
AFLEO Global
- Buying of scrips - MEIS / SEIS / RoDTEP / RoSCTL / DFIA
- Selling of scrips - MEIS / SEIS / RoDTEP / RoSCTL / DFIA
Find our brochure for more details:
Table of Contents
IEC Status Check: Step-by-Step Process to Check Your IEC Application Online
- What is an Import Export Code (IEC)?
- Circumstances When an IEC is Necessary
- Instances Where IEC is Not Required
- Steps Involved in IEC Registration
- Documents Needed for IEC Registration
- Advantages of IEC Registration
- Cost and Validity of IEC
- Restricted Goods List (as per IEC regulations)
- How to Apply for an Import-Export License Online
- FAQ’s
- Associated Services Provided by Afleo
- Conclusion
The Import Export Code (IEC) is the basis for all businesses involved in international business in India. Exporting products, importing raw materials, or providing cross-border services, an IEC from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) is a must. But obtaining your IEC is only the first step; monitoring its status and keeping it active and compliant is just as important.
This step-by-step guide by Afleo Logistics, India’s best trade compliance and DGFT consultancy firm, tells you how to check your IEC application status online, learn about its different stages, and resolve common problems, all under one roof.
What is IEC and Why Checking Its Status Matters
IEC (Import Export Code) is a 10-digit unique identification number granted by the DGFT to importers and exporters. It is a master document that allows you to clear customs, get foreign exchange, and avail of export benefits like RoDTEP, RoSCTL or Drawback.
Verifying your IEC status is necessary because:
- It ensures if your application is approved or pending.
- It assists you in keeping your IEC active and up-to-date with DGFT’s new notifications.
- It is mandatory to associate your IEC with schemes such as MEIS, RoDTEP, or Advance Authorization.
- It avoids problems such as delayed shipments, benefit rejection, or export data mismatch because of inactive IECs.
Simply, monitoring your IEC status guarantees hassle-free trade operations and seamless benefits under government incentive schemes.
How to Check IEC Application Status on DGFT Portal
The DGFT online portal offers a simple way to check your IEC application status in real-time. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Visit the official DGFT website: https://www.dgft.gov.in
- From the home page, click on “Services” → “IEC Profile Management.”
- Select “Check IEC Application Status.”
- Enter your Application Number and Captcha Code, then click on Search.
- Your IEC status, e.g., under process, approved, or rejected, will be shown on the portal.
- If approved, you can download your e-IEC certificate online from the portal. Be sure to check that the information (firm name, PAN, address) is accurate.
Afleo Tip: Save your IEC application number. You get it when you fill in your application online on the DGFT portal. Without it, you can’t track your status.
Knowing Various Types of IEC Status and What They Represent
When you check the IEC status through DGFT, you may find various words. These are what they refer to:
- Under Process: Your application for IEC has been received and is being processed by DGFT officers.
- Approved: Your IEC has been generated successfully. You can download the e-IEC certificate.
- Rejected: There could be discrepancies in your documents or a data mismatch with PAN.
- Cancelled/Suspended: Your IEC has been deactivated as a result of non-compliance, e.g., failure to update details or failure to associate with PAN.
- Migrated: Your IEC data has been migrated to the new DGFT portal and needs to be revalidated online.
Knowing these statuses allows you to take corrective action at once, for instance, getting in touch with DGFT if your IEC is rejected or modifying your profile in case of a suspended IEC.
How to Check IEC Verification Status
In addition to the status of the application, you can also check if an existing IEC is active and valid. This can be very handy for exporters/importers who are working with new business associates.
To check the IEC verification status, proceed as below:
- Go to https://www.dgft.gov.in
- Proceed to “Services” → “IEC Profile Management.”
- Choose “Search IEC.”
- Type in either the IEC Number or Firm Name/PAN, and click Search.
- The portal shows the IEC’s current status and registration information.
This feature assists you in authenticating the validity of an IEC, whether it is that of a legitimate exporter or importer, hence guaranteeing compliance and secure business transactions.
Check Drawback Status with IEC
Drawback Duty is a rebate of customs duty paid on imported goods utilized in exported products. Exporters frequently would like to verify their Drawback claim status by using their IEC.
Here’s how you can do it:
- Go to the Indian Customs EDI System (ICES) website or your port’s Customs ICEGATE website: https://www.icegate.gov.in
- Go to “Services → Drawback Enquiry.”
- Input your IEC number, Shipping Bill number, or Port code.
- You can view information such as claim status (sanctioned/pending), amount, and credit date.
This facility helps exporters monitor whether their drawback has been processed, pending, or rejected, saving unnecessary follow-ups with Customs.
Read our complete guide on How to Check Duty Drawback Status
How to Track ROSL and MEIS/RODTEP Status Against IEC
Export incentive programmes like ROSL (Rebate of State Levies), and RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) are directly associated with your IEC.
Here’s how to monitor them:
- ROSL/RoSCTL: Verify status on the ICEGATE portal via your IEC number. It shows the claim status and disbursement information.
- RoDTEP: Visit “RoDTEP Scroll Enquiry” on ICEGATE and search by IEC and date range.
Monitoring these ensures that all your export incentives are being processed and credited to your account in time.
How to Track Challans and Customs Licenses Associated with Your IEC
Your IEC is also associated with several customs-related functions like E-scrips, licenses, and challans. To monitor them:
- Go to https://www.icegate.gov.in
- Go to “Track Your Transaction” or “Challan Enquiry.”
- Provide your IEC number, Bank Challan Reference Number, or Port Code.
Advance Authorization, EPCG or DFIA licenses can even be tracked by IEC through the portal of DGFT. This assists exporters in ensuring all their associated permissions and financial transactions are accurately accounted for.
Common Problems While Checking IEC Status and How to Troubleshoot Them
Following are some common issues customers encounter when they check IEC status and their solutions:
| Issue | Possible Reason | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Application not found | Wrong application number | Double-check your acknowledgment email for the correct number. |
| IEC showing “Inactive” | Not updated after PAN-Aadhaar linking mandate | Log in to the DGFT portal and revalidate your IEC. |
| Unable to download IEC | Pop-up blocked or site under maintenance | Try again in incognito mode or after a few hours. |
| IEC rejected | Document mismatch or incorrect details | Reapply after correcting documents and PAN details. |
| Verification not showing | Data migration issue | Contact DGFT helpdesk or submit grievance via DGFT Contact@DGFT service. |
Afleo’s DGFT specialists repeatedly assist clients in solving such problems promptly through proper documentation and coordination with DGFT officials.
Secrets to Obtain and Maintain IEC Without Delay
To prevent delays and facilitate hassle-free trade operations, avoid the following mistakes and adhere to the following best practices:
- Ensure PAN accuracy: Your IEC is issued based on your PAN. Any mismatch can lead to rejection.
- Use valid DSC/Aadhaar: Ensure that the digital signature or Aadhaar used for IEC is active and linked.
- Keep your email and mobile number updated: All DGFT communications are sent there.
- Revalidate your IEC annually: As per DGFT guidelines, inactive IECs are automatically deactivated if not updated.
- Keep compliance records: Monitor every export/import transaction associated with your IEC for audit purposes.
- Consult a DGFT specialist: Working with specialists such as Afleo Logistics ensures your IEC and other DGFT-related registrations remain active and compliant.
Conclusion: Keep Your IEC Active and Updated
Your IEC is not a mere registration; it’s your identity in India’s import-export world. Frequent monitoring of your IEC status on DGFT, following up on your incentive claims, and keeping your IEC updated can prevent you from compliance trouble and benefits loss.
Afleo Group offers expertise in IEC registration, amendment, DGFT license, export incentives, and AEO certification, keeping your business compliant, competitive, and active globally.
If you have any problem with your IEC status or your DGFT applications, Afleo’s experts can resolve the issue quickly and professionally for you.
Contact Afleo today to maintain strong trade compliance and keep your IEC always active.
FAQ’s
1. Can I claim section 74 refund for goods partially re-exported?
Yes, refund can be claimed proportionately based on quantity re-exported, if it is possible to identify the goods
2. What if goods are re-exported after minor repair or testing?
Yes, refund is still available provided the goods retain their original identity.