DGFT Import Export Code (IEC) for Foreign Manufacturers Entering the Indian Market: Complete Guide

Every shipment that crosses into India has to clear customs against a 10-digit number issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT): the Import Export Code, or IEC. Without a valid IEC quoted on the Bill of Entry, customs will not release the consignment, banks will not process the trade remittance, and the shipment sits at the port accumulating demurrage charges. For a foreign manufacturer, the IEC itself is usually held by the Indian importing entity — but understanding exactly how the IEC system works, who in the transaction chain is responsible for it, and how it interacts with your broader India compliance obligations (BIS, WPC, BEE, EPR) is essential to avoid shipment delays. This guide walks through the DGFT/IEC framework specifically from the perspective of a foreign manufacturer planning or scaling exports into India. 1. What Is an IEC and Why Does It Matter to a Foreign Manufacturer? The Import Export Code (IEC) is a 10-digit identification number issued by the DGFT, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to any individual or entity engaging in import or export of goods or services involving India. It is mandated under the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992, and is required on every shipping bill, bill of entry, and most foreign trade banking transaction connected to Indian customs. The IEC itself must be held by an entity registered in India — typically your Indian importer, distributor, subsidiary, or liaison/branch office. A foreign manufacturer based outside India does not hold the IEC directly unless it operates a registered Indian entity (branch office, liaison office, wholly owned subsidiary) that imports on its own behalf. This makes the IEC a foundational piece of your India market entry structure, not a standalone formality: every other certification — BIS, WPC ETA, BEE, EPR — is filed and tracked against the IEC-bearing entity’s import records, so getting this layer right shapes how cleanly the rest of your compliance stack functions. 2. Who Needs an IEC in a Foreign Manufacturer’s Supply Chain? Indian importer/distributor: If you sell through an independent Indian importer or distributor, that entity holds the IEC and is the importer of record for customs purposes. Your Indian subsidiary or branch office: If you’ve established a wholly owned subsidiary, joint venture, or registered branch/liaison office in India, that entity applies for and holds its own IEC to import directly. Your Authorised Indian Representative (AIR), where applicable: For BIS FMCS-regulated products, your AIR manages BIS-side compliance, but the IEC and customs clearance role is typically separate — handled by whichever Indian entity is the actual importer of record. Contract manufacturers or licensees in India: If your products are assembled, blended, or packaged locally under license, the licensee holding import rights to components or raw materials needs its own IEC. A common structuring question foreign manufacturers face is whether to rely on an existing Indian distributor’s IEC or establish their own importing entity. Each path has different implications for control, customs valuation, and how cleanly your other certifications (BIS, EPR, WPC) map to a single accountable entity — this is worth resolving early, before your first shipment, rather than after a customs hold. 3. The IEC Registration Process Step What Happens Entity setup The Indian entity (subsidiary, branch office, or appointed importer) must have valid PAN, GST registration, and a bank account in India Online application Application filed on the DGFT portal (dgft.gov.in) using Form ANF-2A, with firm details, address, PAN, bank details, and nature of business Document upload Supporting documents uploaded in prescribed digital format, including proof of business registration and bank certificate/cancelled cheque Fee payment A flat government fee is paid online via the portal Processing DGFT processes and typically issues the IEC certificate within a few working days of a complete, error-free application Certificate download The IEC certificate, containing the registered entity’s name, address, and 10-digit code, is downloaded from the IEC Profile Management section AD Code registration The IEC holder registers their bank’s Authorised Dealer (AD) Code at each customs port where shipments will be cleared ICEGATE registration The IEC holder separately registers on ICEGATE (Indian Customs EDI Gateway) to enable electronic filing of bills of entry and shipping bills The IEC has lifetime validity once issued and does not need to be renewed in the traditional sense — but it must be reconfirmed through an annual update on the DGFT portal between April and June each year, or the IEC is automatically deactivated, which halts customs clearance until it is reactivated. 4. Documents Required for IEC Application 5. How the IEC Fits Into Your Broader India Compliance Stack A foreign manufacturer’s first instinct is often to treat the IEC as a simple administrative box to tick — but its placement in the compliance chain has real consequences: 6. Risks of Getting the IEC Structure Wrong 7. PCN India Global: IEC & Import Compliance Structuring for Foreign Manufacturers PCN India Global helps foreign manufacturers design and manage the India-side import structure that underpins reliable market access — not just the IEC application itself, but how it connects to your BIS, WPC, BEE, and EPR obligations. As your compliance partner, we: Need Expert Assistance? Contact PCN India Global A foreign manufacturer’s India market entry is only as strong as its weakest compliance link — and the IEC sits at the foundation of that chain. Getting the structure right from day one prevents the kind of customs holds, certification mismatches, and renewal gaps that cost real money and market momentum. PCN India Global provides complete end-to-end support across every layer of India market entry compliance. We specialise in: 📞 Phone: 08010905029 | ✉ Email: bdm@pcnindiaglobal.com | 🌐 pcnindiaglobal.com Your first compliance consultation is free. Reach out today. Frequently Asked Questions Q1: Can a foreign manufacturer hold an IEC directly, without a registered Indian entity? No. The IEC must be issued to an entity registered in India with a valid Indian PAN, GST registration, and bank account. A foreign manufacturer without an Indian subsidiary,
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EPR Registration for Used Oil in India: Compliance Guide for Foreign Manufacturers & Base Oil Importers

India consumes over 3 million metric tonnes of lubricating and base oil every year, and a significant share of that volume — along with the base oil itself — is supplied by foreign manufacturers and importers. Since April 2024, every entity that produces or imports base oil and lubricating oil into India has a binding legal obligation under the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, as amended in 2023: Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for used oil. If your company manufactures base oil overseas and exports it into India, or imports used oil as a recycling input, this obligation applies to you directly — not just to your Indian distributor. Missing this registration, or failing to meet annual EPR targets, can result in your products being flagged for non-compliance at the point of customs clearance and exposes your business to penalties under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. This guide explains exactly what EPR for used oil means, who it applies to, how the CPCB registration and target system works, and how foreign manufacturers can stay compliant without disrupting their India supply chain. 1. What Is EPR for Used Oil? Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for used oil was introduced through the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Second Amendment Rules, 2023, which added Chapter VII specifically covering used oil. The rules came into force on April 1, 2024, and are administered by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) through a dedicated online portal. Under this framework, every producer of base oil or lubricating oil — and every importer of used oil — is assigned an annual EPR target. This target represents the volume of used oil that must be collected and sent for environmentally sound recycling, in proportion to the volume of fresh oil the producer or importer sold or imported into the Indian market that year. Producers do not need to physically collect and recycle the oil themselves. Instead, the rules establish a certificate-based trading mechanism: producers buy EPR certificates from CPCB-registered recyclers, who have demonstrably collected and recycled the equivalent volume of used oil. This is the same certificate-trading model CPCB uses for plastic, e-waste, battery, and tyre EPR — but used oil has its own dedicated portal, its own registration category, and its own compliance calendar. Key principle: If your company sells base oil or lubricants into the Indian market — whether you manufacture in India, export finished oil into India, or supply bulk base oil to Indian blenders — you are a “Producer” under these rules and carry EPR liability, regardless of where your factory is located. 2. Who Needs to Register? The Used Oil EPR Rules define four categories of registered entities, and a foreign manufacturer’s obligation typically falls into one or both of the first two: Producers of Base Oil or Lubricating Oil: Any entity that manufactures base oil or finished lubricating oil and places it on the Indian market, whether manufactured domestically or imported in bulk and sold under the producer’s brand. Importers of Used Oil: Entities that import used oil into India as a feedstock for re-refining or recycling operations. Collection Agents: Entities engaged in collecting used oil from generators (workshops, industrial users, fleet operators) for delivery to recyclers. Recyclers: CPCB-authorised facilities that process used oil and issue EPR certificates to producers and importers who purchase them to meet their targets. For a foreign manufacturer exporting base oil, finished lubricants, or industrial oils into India, registration as a “Producer” is mandatory before the product can be legally sold in the Indian market. This applies whether you sell directly to Indian industrial buyers, supply through a distributor, or have your oil blended and packaged locally under your brand name. Indian importers and distributors who simply resell a foreign manufacturer’s oil under that manufacturer’s own brand are not automatically the “Producer” for EPR purposes — the obligation generally sits with the brand owner. This makes it essential for foreign oil manufacturers to register directly or appoint a registered Indian entity to manage the obligation on their behalf, rather than assuming the Indian buyer has already taken care of it. 3. The CPCB Registration Process Step What Happens Portal sign-up Create an account on the CPCB Used Oil EPR Portal (eprusedoil.cpcb.gov.in) as a Producer or Importer of Used Oil Entity details Submit company registration documents, GST, PAN/TAN of the Indian entity or authorised representative, and product category details Volume declaration Declare the volume of base oil/lubricating oil sold or imported into India in the relevant financial year Target allocation CPCB allocates an annual EPR recycling target based on declared volumes and category-wise norms Certificate procurement Producer purchases EPR certificates from CPCB-registered recyclers via the portal’s trading mechanism to meet the allocated target Quarterly/annual returns File periodic returns declaring procurement data, sales data, and EPR certificates acquired against the target Compliance verification CPCB reviews submitted returns and certificate purchases against the producer’s target for the financial year Producers are required to begin filing annual returns starting from the FY 2024-25 cycle, and the portal mandates registration before the relevant sales or import volumes can be legally placed in the market for a compliant entity. 4. Documents Required for EPR Used Oil Registration 5. EPR Targets and the Certificate Trading Mechanism Once registered, a producer’s annual EPR target is calculated as a percentage of the previous year’s declared sales or import volume of base oil/lubricating oil. The producer must then acquire EPR certificates equal to or exceeding that target from CPCB-registered recyclers through the portal’s adjustment and trading mechanism. A few mechanics are important for foreign manufacturers to understand: This certificate-based system means a foreign manufacturer does not need to set up physical collection infrastructure in India — but does need accurate volume reporting and timely certificate procurement, both of which require ongoing portal management rather than a one-time filing. 6. Risks of Non-Compliance 7. PCN India Global: EPR Used Oil Compliance for Foreign Manufacturers PCN India Global helps foreign manufacturers and importers
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Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) for BIS Certification: What It Is, Who Qualifies & How to Appoint One

For any foreign manufacturer seeking to sell certified products in India, the Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) is one of the most important and least understood requirements in the entire BIS certification process. The AIR is not simply an administrative contact or a courier for documents — the AIR is the legally responsible party in India for your BIS certification, your factory audit scheduling, and ultimately, for compliance under the BIS Act, 2016. Choosing the wrong AIR — or failing to understand the AIR’s obligations — can delay your certification, invalidate your BIS licence, or expose your AIR (and by extension, your market access) to liability. This guide explains everything a foreign manufacturer needs to know before appointing an AIR. 1. What Is an Authorised Indian Representative (AIR)? An Authorised Indian Representative (AIR) is a legal entity registered in India that is formally appointed by a foreign manufacturer to represent them in all dealings with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) for the purpose of obtaining and maintaining a BIS licence under the Foreign Manufacturers Certification Scheme (FMCS). BIS does not interact directly with foreign manufacturers on product certification matters — all communication, document submission, fee payment, and compliance obligations are handled through the AIR. The AIR is, from BIS’s perspective, the responsible party in India. Key rule: The AIR must be an Indian legal entity — a company, partnership, or individual with a registered Indian business address. An individual foreign national cannot be an AIR. A foreign company’s Indian branch office may qualify. 2. When Is an AIR Required? Indian importers importing goods manufactured overseas under a foreign brand do not act as AIR — the AIR is appointed by the foreign manufacturer and holds the BIS licence, with the Indian importer as a separate commercial entity. 3. AIR’s Legal Role and Responsibilities Responsibility Detail Liaison with BIS All correspondence, submissions, queries, and responses to BIS on behalf of the foreign manufacturer Application filing Submitting the FMCS application on the manakonline.in portal and paying BIS fees Factory audit coordination Arranging logistics for BIS auditor(s) to visit the overseas factory, including visa support, travel, accommodation Sample submission Coordinating lab sample submission to BIS-approved laboratories Document accuracy Ensuring all technical and company documents submitted to BIS are accurate, current, and complete Compliance maintenance Maintaining licence conditions — surveillance visits, market sample compliance, annual fees Legal liability The AIR can be held liable under the BIS Act, 2016 for non-compliance or misrepresentation in India 4. Who Can Be an AIR? BIS does not specify a minimum qualification for AIRs beyond the requirement to be a legally registered Indian entity. However, in practice, an effective AIR should have: Consultancy firms, compliance professionals, Indian importers/distributors with deep BIS experience, and specialised regulatory bodies all commonly serve as AIRs. The foreign manufacturer must exercise due diligence in AIR selection — using an unqualified or inactive AIR is a common cause of FMCS application failure. 5. The AIR Agreement: What It Must Contain The AIR relationship must be formalised through a written agreement between the foreign manufacturer and the AIR, which BIS requires as part of the FMCS application. This agreement must include: 6. Risks of Appointing the Wrong AIR Changing AIR after licence grant requires a formal BIS application for AIR substitution. This process takes time and can leave a compliance gap if not managed proactively. 7. PCN India Global as Your Authorised Indian Representative PCN India Global functions as Authorised Indian Representative for foreign manufacturers across a wide range of product categories — from consumer electronics and electrical appliances to industrial equipment, toys, steel products, and more. As AIR, we: 8. BIS FMCS Process Overview with AIR Involvement FMCS Stage AIR’s Role Application preparation Compiles documents, checks IS Standard applicability, files on portal BIS fee payment Pays BIS application fee on behalf of foreign manufacturer Lab sample submission Ships product samples to BIS-approved lab; provides product technical documentation Factory audit scheduling Coordinates BIS auditor travel, hotel, visa letters, factory readiness Factory audit support May accompany BIS auditors and support documentation queries on-site Post-audit follow-up Responds to any BIS observations or additional information requests Licence issuance Receives BIS licence; provides copy to foreign manufacturer Annual surveillance Schedules and manages annual BIS factory visit; ensures market samples are compliant Licence renewal Initiates renewal application before expiry; manages transition Need Expert Assistance? Contact PCN India Global India’s regulatory compliance landscape is complex, multi-agency, and constantly evolving. Missing a certification, filing deadline, or document requirement can result in customs holds, product seizures, and significant financial loss. PCN India Global provides complete end-to-end support — from first-mile regulatory mapping through to certificate issuance, with experienced consultants managing every government touchpoint on your behalf. We specialise in: 📞 Phone: 08010905029   |   ✉ Email: bdm@pcnindiaglobal.com   |   🌐 pcnindiaglobal.com Your first compliance consultation is free. Reach out today. Frequently Asked Questions Q1: Can the Indian importer/distributor of our products serve as our AIR? Yes — the Indian importer or distributor is one of the most common choices for AIR, provided they are willing to accept the legal responsibilities. However, if the commercial relationship changes (they stop distributing your products), you will need to appoint a new AIR and notify BIS. A neutral professional consultancy like PCN India Global as AIR avoids this dependency. Q2: Can a foreign company with an Indian branch office act as its own AIR? Yes, a branch office of a foreign company registered in India can serve as the AIR for the parent company’s BIS applications, provided the branch is validly registered under the Companies Act or FEMA. This is a common arrangement for multinational companies with established Indian operations. Q3: What happens if our AIR becomes unresponsive or exits the market? You should immediately initiate the BIS AIR substitution process by appointing a new AIR and filing the substitution application with BIS. The new AIR assumes all compliance obligations for the licence. During the transition, you should ensure no compliance deadlines are missed.
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EPR Registration for Tyre Waste in India: Compliance Guide for Manufacturers & Importers

India is the third-largest tyre market in the world, and the regulatory framework for tyre waste management has been significantly strengthened. Tyre manufacturers, importers, and retreaders must now register under India’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework for tyre waste and meet annual channelization targets — failing to do so risks penalties, stop-sale orders, and export restrictions. Whether you import passenger car tyres, truck and bus radials (TBR), two-wheeler tyres, or off-road tyres, this compliance obligation applies to you. This guide explains the tyre waste EPR framework under India’s environmental laws, the registration process, and what you need to do to maintain annual compliance. 1. Regulatory Framework: Tyre Waste in India Tyre waste EPR in India is governed by the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and specifically implemented through the Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016, as amended. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has notified tyres as a waste category requiring EPR obligations for producers, importers, and brand owners. Unlike e-waste or battery waste, which are managed under dedicated product-specific rules, tyre EPR obligations currently operate within the broader hazardous waste framework, with specific channelization mandates issued by CPCB. However, dedicated Tyre Waste Management Rules have been in active development and may be notified as a standalone regime. 2. Who Must Register for Tyre Waste EPR? Even importers of vehicles that come with tyres as a bundled product may have obligations under tyre EPR, depending on the interpretation applied at CPCB. Specific guidance should be sought for vehicle importers. Tyre waste EPR is distinct from EPR for the rubber content of tyres under plastic/polymer waste rules. Tyres are regulated separately as a specified waste stream. 3. Tyre Categories Covered Tyre Category Description Passenger car tyres (PCR) Tyres for cars, SUVs, vans — standard road use Truck and bus radials (TBR) Commercial vehicle tyres for heavy transport Two-wheeler and three-wheeler tyres Motorbike, scooter, auto-rickshaw tyres Off-road tyres (OTR) Agricultural, mining, construction vehicle tyres Industrial tyres Forklift, material handling equipment tyres Retreaded tyres Tyres that have undergone retreading process 4. Annual EPR Channelization Targets for Tyres CPCB sets annual targets for the quantity of end-of-life tyre waste that producers/importers must channelise to registered waste processors (pyrolysis plants, retreaders, crumb rubber manufacturers, co-processors in cement kilns, etc.). Period Target (% of Tyres Placed on Market) 2022–23 (base year) Registration and baseline declaration 2023–24 25% of POM weight 2024–25 35% of POM weight 2025–26 50% of POM weight Progressive targets Increasing annually towards 90%+ POM = Placed on Market. Targets are calculated on the weight (tonnes) of tyres placed in the Indian market in the previous financial year. Annual returns must be filed on the CPCB portal. 5. Channelization Options for End-of-Life Tyres As a tyre EPR registrant, you must ensure that your target quantity of waste tyres reaches one of the following CPCB-registered end-use facilities: 6. Documents Required for CPCB EPR Registration 7. Step-by-Step EPR Registration Process 8. Non-Compliance Consequences Need Expert Assistance? Contact PCN India Global India’s regulatory compliance landscape is complex, multi-agency, and constantly evolving. Missing a certification, filing deadline, or document requirement can result in customs holds, product seizures, and significant financial loss. PCN India Global provides complete end-to-end support — from first-mile regulatory mapping through to certificate issuance, with experienced consultants managing every government touchpoint on your behalf. We specialise in: 📞 Phone: 08010905029   |   ✉ Email: bdm@pcnindiaglobal.com   |   🌐 pcnindiaglobal.com Your first compliance consultation is free. Reach out today. Frequently Asked Questions Q1: I import only a small number of tyres for personal use or small-scale testing. Do I need EPR registration? The EPR registration requirement does not have a small-volume exemption. All commercial importers of tyres must register. However, your annual channelization target will be proportional to your actual import volume, so the practical obligation scales with your business size. Q2: Are retreaded tyres subject to the same EPR obligations as new tyres? Retreaders have separate EPR obligations as both producers (of retreaded tyres) and as a potential channelization route. The calculation of EPR obligations for retreaders depends on the base tyre used and whether it was sourced domestically or imported. Q3: Who counts as a ‘channelisation partner’ for tyre EPR? Only entities registered with CPCB as tyre waste processors — pyrolysis operators, crumb rubber manufacturers, co-processors, or retreaders — count as valid channelisation partners. Using unregistered collectors or informal scrap dealers does not fulfil your EPR obligation. Q4: I also have EPR obligations for battery waste and plastic packaging. Can I handle all registrations together? Yes. PCN India Global regularly manages multi-stream EPR registrations — tyre, battery, plastic, and e-waste — under a single engagement for clients with diverse product portfolios. This ensures coordinated timelines and no missed deadlines. Q5: When are annual tyre EPR returns due? Annual EPR returns for tyre waste are generally due by June 30 for the preceding financial year (April 1 to March 31). Returns are filed on the CPCB EPR portal with evidence of channelization targets met. Q6: What is Environmental Compensation, and how much could I owe? Environmental Compensation (EC) is a levy charged by CPCB on producers who fail to meet annual channelization targets. The rate is set by CPCB and applied to the shortfall in tonnage. EC rates are designed to be punitive — typically exceeding the cost of proper compliance — to incentivise genuine channelization.
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Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Certification in India: Benefits, Eligibility & How to Apply

For businesses that import or export regularly, customs delays are a constant business risk. Shipments stuck at ports cost money, disrupt supply chains, and frustrate buyers. India’s Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme — administered by CBIC under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs — offers a solution: priority customs treatment for businesses that demonstrate secure, compliant trade practices. AEO certification is one of India’s most underutilised compliance advantages. Businesses that achieve it gain significant operational benefits — faster clearance, reduced inspections, direct port access, and access to Mutual Recognition Agreements (MRAs) with other countries. This guide explains the AEO tiers, eligibility criteria, and how to apply. 1. What Is the AEO Programme? The Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme is a World Customs Organization (WCO) SAFE Framework initiative implemented in India by the CBIC. It certifies importers, exporters, logistical service providers, and custodians as trusted trade partners who maintain high standards of security, compliance, and record-keeping in their supply chains. India’s AEO programme is structured in three tiers: AEO-T1, AEO-T2, and AEO-T3, with increasing benefits and requirements at each level. Additionally, AEO-LO certification is available for logistics operators (CHAs, freight forwarders, warehouses). 2. AEO Tiers and Benefits

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