DGFT goes online, trading made easier with e-services

The DGFT regional authority has started the online processing and issuance of Importer Exporter Code applications in digital format, said a statement from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Henceforth, the IEC applications will be not be available in physical form as the entire process, starting from receiving applications to the issuing of the same, will go online. The Dollar Business Bureau Going by the latest online initiative taken by the Government of India, the exporters, importers and entrepreneurs may not have to wander much around Regional Authority (RA)’s office for receiving/filing their applications. As a process of Digital India initiative, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under Department of Commerce, Government of India, on February 3, 2015, initiated online processing of the imports and exports official procedures. The DGFT regional authority has started the operationalisation of Importer Exporter Code (IEC) applications, online processing and issue of e-IECs in digital format, said a statement from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Now, the exporters/importers may apply online for the issuance of IEC. Henceforth, the IEC applications will be not be available in physical form as the entire process, starting from receiving applications to the issuing of the same, will go online. The issuance of digitally signed e-IECs, rejection of incomplete and applications which are not meeting the requirements will be done within a short period of two working days only. In case of rejection of the application, an automated mail with the reasons for rejection will be sent to the applicant. The government release said that the applicants, who do not have Net banking facility, may use existing manual/offline system to make fee payments till the online system is made ready. However, the efforts are underway to facilitate online payment through Debit/Credit cards, which would be made mandatory after implementation. The Ministry statement also said that the efforts are also underway for message exchange of our system with the Income Tax Department, Ministry of Corporate Affairs for verification of PAN and DIN/CIN details. There would not be any ‘Deficiencies letters’ now as there is no discretion at the level of RAs and consequent elimination of possible delays and corruption, said the Ministry.  

This article was published on February 3, 2015.