DGFT Launches new platform for digital delivery of IEC related services

The government of India always has made efforts for providing sources to facilitate and promote ‘ease of doing business” for traders. The Ministry of Commerce’s foreign trade arm “DGFT’ is all set to launch a digital platform for delivery of services like issuance of Import-Export Code (IEC), another move aimed at promoting ease of doing business for traders.

The objective of the new DGFT platform:

The main objective of this platform is to help traders electronically file their application related to Import Export Code, various export schemes such as advance authorization and Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG), monitoring the status of the application, and raising queries among other services related to the Foreign Trade policy.

The platform will be rolled out in phases. There will be two phases through which the launch of new DGFT platforms will be rolled out. The first phase is scheduled to go live on July 13, 2020.

The first phase of the New DGFT platform:

In the first phase, the website will be catering to the IEC services related to the IEC issuance, modification, amendments, etc. processes along with a Chatbot (a virtual assistant) catering to queries of users.

The second phase of the new DGFT platform:

In the second phase, online modules relating to Advance Authorization, EPCG (Export Promotion Capital Goods), and Exports Obligation Discharge will be rolled out subsequently after the first phase stabilizes.

Key points to be noted about the new platform design for IEC services:

• Password-based system: Access to the services would be through a username and password-based system. The first-time logins/user ID may be created through a registration process on the new platform. 
• User ID creation: For user ID creation, registered mobile number/email ids of the IEC holders will be a mandatory requirement. The same will be authenticated by the process of OTP/email-based authentication process.
• Linking of IDs and IEC: Users would have to link their login IDs to their specific Import Export Codes. The process of linking would be available post login through Digital Signature / Aadhaar based e-Sign.
• Requirement of E-sign: Digital Signature (DSC) / Aadhaar based e-Sign will be required for applying and modifying IEC (Import Export Code) or adding or updating the IEC-linked users. Users may take necessary actions for procuring/updating their information etc. on the DSC / Aadhaar.

Electronically filing of the application:

The user profile can be then used by the IEC holders to engage with DGFT and IEC services. This will enable the user to electronically file their application related to IEC, AA, EPCG, including amendments & redemption, monitoring the status of the application, raising queries, replying to the deficiencies, etc. among other services related to the Foreign Trade policy.

Smooth and user-friendly features:

The whole process of DGFT’s new platform is user-friendly. The new platform is also designed for the smooth migration of legacy (older) data of DGFT and its stakeholders. The existing data will be used for the online processing of the previous applications henceforth. The users will be able to monitor the status of their applications and the pending obligations thereof. These numerous features should significantly benefit the trade community. Users are requested to familiarize themselves with the new platform and its features.

Suspension of process on DGFT platform:

It is further informed that for the purposes of go-live of the first phase and the required systems configurations, the IEC applications and modification process would be suspended from 3:00 pm on 10.07.2020 till 13.07.2020. Hence stakeholders should plan in advance about the IEC services.

Solve your queries- read: FAQs on IEC registration