Use of Importer-exporter Code Number allotted to them by the importers/exporters - DGFT - 06 (RE-2013)/2009-2014

Government of India Ministry of Commerce and Industry Directorate General of Foreign Trade Udyog Bhavan, New Delhi-110011 Policy Circular No. 6 (RE-2013)/2009-2014 Dated the 16th September, 2013 To All Regional Authorities. All Development commissioners, SEZ. All Custom Authorities. All Export Promotion Councils/Commodity Bodies. Subject: Use of Importer-exporter Code Number allotted to them by the importers/exporters It has been brought to the notice of this Directorate that some importers/exporters are effecting imports/exports by using IECs issued to others which is a complete violation of provisions of Foreign Trade Policy . 2. As per the Section 7 of The Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 , as amended in 2010 read along with Rule 12 of Foreign Trade (Regulation) Rules, 1993 every person should make import or export only with Importer-exporter Code Number allotted to him. This has been further amplified by Para 2.9.2 of Handbook of Procedures, Vol.1, 2009-14 which states that an IEC number allotted to an applicant is valid for all its branches / divisions / units / factories. Therefore, the IEC Number cannot be used by anyone other the IEC holder himself/herself. 3. In view of the above, use of IEC by the person other than IEC holder himself is a violation of the above provisions and would attract action under Section 8 and 11 of The Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992 , as amended in 2010, except in case importers or exporters are exempted from obtaining IEC and who use permanent (common) IEC Numbers under Para 2.8 of Handbook of Procedure, Vol.1, 2009-14. 4. Therefore, importers/exporters as well as all other stake holders are cautioned to comply with the provisions of FT(DR) Act and Rules made thereunder while using their IEC Number. Non-compliance/ violation of these provisions would attract action in the form of suspension/cancellation of IEC or imposition of penalty, as appropriate, under the relevant provisions of FT(DR) Act and Rules. (G. Parthasarathi) Joint Director General of Foreign Trade E-mail : [email protected] (Issued from F. No. 01/93/180/05/AM 12/PC- 2(B)