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How to Update or Modify Your Import Export Code (IEC) Online: Step-by-Step Guide

  • 29 Jul, 2025

In India’s growing international trade landscape, having a valid Import Export Code (IEC) is not just a procedural requirement—it’s an essential business document. Whether you're exporting handicrafts to the USA, importing machinery from Germany, or offering IT services overseas, the IEC is your official identity in all cross-border trade activities.

The Import Export Code is issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and is mandatory for all businesses involved in importing or exporting goods and services. This 10-digit code is used at customs, with banks, and for claiming export benefits. However, many businesses are still unaware that as per DGFT’s latest guidelines, the IEC must now be updated or confirmed every year, even if there are no changes in the details.

Neglecting this requirement can lead to the automatic deactivation of your IEC, causing disruptions in shipment clearances, payment delays, and even the loss of trade partnerships. For businesses—especially MSMEs, startups, and digital exporters—this non-compliance can create unexpected legal and operational hurdles.

To keep your IEC active and compliant, the entire update process can now be done online through xportlicence.com, which simplifies every step of the DGFT procedure. Whether you need to modify business information or simply confirm no changes, updating your IEC has become easier, faster, and more secure than ever.

In this blog, we will explain in detail why updating your Import Export Code matters, who needs to do it, what documents are required, and how the full update process works.

Why Updating IEC Is Important for Your Business

Your IEC is not just a one-time registration—it acts as your official identity for all import-export business transactions with Indian customs and financial institutions. If any detail associated with your IEC becomes outdated or incorrect, it can:

  1. Delay your international shipments

  2. Cause rejections at customs

  3. Lead to payment hold-ups from foreign clients

  4. Create legal or compliance risks

When Should You Update Your IEC?

You should consider updating your IEC if:

  1. Your business name has changed

  2. Your registered office address has been relocated

  3. Your phone number or email ID has changed

  4. You’ve added or removed directors, partners, or proprietors

  5. Your PAN or GST details have changed

  6. There are typographical errors in your current IEC certificate

Who Can Apply for IEC Modification?

IEC modification can be done by:

  1. Proprietors

  2. Partnership Firms

  3. LLPs and Private/Public Limited Companies

  4. Trusts, Societies, and Government undertakings

How to Update Your IEC Online: Step-by-Step Process

Follow these steps to update or modify your IEC through the DGFT website or via IEC  portal XportLicence.com:

 Step 1: Visit the DGFT Portal

  1. Go to: https://www.dgft.gov.in/

  2. Click on ‘Login’ in the top-right corner

 Step 2: Log in with Your Credentials

  1. Use your Registered Email ID and Password

  2. If you haven’t registered yet, click on ‘Register’ and create your DGFT profile

 Step 3: Select ‘Modify IEC’

  1. Once logged in, go to ‘Services’ > ‘IEC Profile Management’ > ‘Update IEC’

  2. Click on the ‘Start Fresh Application’ button

 Step 4: Update the Required Details

  1. Modify sections like:

    1. Business Name or Entity Type

    2. Director/Partner/Proprietor details

    3. Registered Address

    4. Contact Information (email, phone)

    5. Bank details

 Step 5: Upload Supporting Documents

Upload scanned copies of:

  1. New address proof (electricity bill, rent agreement, etc.)

  2. Board resolution (for company updates)

  3. PAN and Aadhaar (if applicable)

  4. Proof of authority to apply (letter of authorization)

 Step 6: Final Review and Submission

  1. Carefully review all changes

  2. Click on ‘Save and Next’, then ‘Sign and Submit’ using DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) or Aadhaar OTP

  3. You’ll get a confirmation and a reference number

 Step 7: Download Updated IEC Certificate

  1. Once approved (typically within 1–3 working days), log in again

  2. Go to ‘My IEC’ > ‘View IEC Certificate’

  3. Download the updated IEC as PDF for your business records

Documents Commonly Required for IEC Modification

Depending on the type of update, you may need one or more of the following:

  1. PAN card of the business or individual

  2. Aadhaar card (for proprietors or directors)

  3. Proof of address (utility bill, rent deed, etc.)

  4. Proof of updated mobile/email

  5. Company incorporation documents

  6. Board resolution (for companies)

Can You Use XportLicence.com to Modify IEC?

Yes! If you want a simplified and expert-assisted IEC update process, XportLicence.com offers a guided service where:

  1. Experts fill your modification form

  2. Documents are reviewed before submission

  3. DSC-based or Aadhaar OTP e-sign is managed

  4. You receive updates via email and WhatsApp

  5. No chances of error or rejection

Conclusion

Modifying your Import Export Code (IEC) is a necessary business responsibility that ensures your international trade operations run smoothly without any disruption. Whether your contact details have changed, or your business has grown and undergone structural changes, updating your IEC on time will keep you compliant with Indian trade regulations.

Thanks to the DGFT’s digital portal and expert services like XportLicence.com, the process is now 100% online, paperless, and faster than ever. Don’t let outdated information become a bottleneck in your import-export success. Stay updated, stay ready—for the world is your market.


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