Earlier in order to obtain IEC, DSC was mandatory for submitting e-IEC application, Since there were many difficulties in order to submit application through DSC ,DGFT (Director General of Foreign Trade) vide public notice no 27 dated 08th August 2018 has removed DSC for submitting the applications with a view to automate the process of issue of IEC since Automatic PAN verification has been enforced in the IEC system thereby the process has been simplified in order to promote the “Ease of Doing Business” & to obtain the IEC in a hassle free way.
The below are the brief details of Amendments in Procedure for online IEC application w.e.f 09thAugust 2018
1. Attachment of PAN card copy (which was earlier mandatory) is not required.
2. Digital Signature (DSC) for submitting online applications for fresh IEC or amendments in IEC will not be required.
3. IEC will be auto generated on successful submission of application with requisite fees and documents and intimation regarding allotment of IEC will be sent through SMS and E-mail to the applicant.
4. Online IEC application requires uploading of only 2 documents in GIF , JPEG .
a. Address proof of the applicant entity**
b. Cancelled Cheque bearing entity’s pre-printed name or bank certificate in the prescribed format (ANF-2A(i))
**following documents are accepted as Address proof
a) sale deed in case business premise is self-owned or
b) Rental /lease agreement in case premise is rented/leased or
c) Latest electricity /landline/ mobile telephone bill in the name of applicant entry
Note: In case of Electricity/ telephone bill where the applicant name is not available then NOC from the owner is required.
DGFT Digital Signature Certificate is basically a Class 2 Digital Signature specially for EXIM Organizations who are having Import Export Code(IEC) in India. DGFT Digital Signature can ONLY be Issued to Organization with ONLY Signing Certificate. IEC Code is mandatory to obtain a DGFT Digital Signature Certificate.