Exporting from India: IEC, Shipping Bills, and Export Incentives Explained

23 Jun 2026 · 2 min read · 1 views

IEC Shipping Bill RoDTEP Drawback

Exporting goods from India involves a defined regulatory and documentation flow, most of which is now handled digitally through the ICEGATE portal and DGFT systems.

Importer-Exporter Code (IEC). A mandatory 10-digit code issued by the DGFT that any business must hold before it can legally export or import goods and services from India.

Shipping Bill. The primary export document filed electronically with customs, declaring the goods, value, and destination, and required before goods can be cleared for loading onto a vessel or aircraft.

Export finance. Exporters commonly use pre-shipment finance (like packing credit) to fund production before shipment, and post-shipment finance to bridge the gap between shipping goods and receiving payment.

Export incentive schemes. Programmes such as RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) and duty drawback aim to refund embedded taxes and duties on inputs used in exported goods, improving the price competitiveness of Indian exports. ECGC cover is also commonly used to insure against buyer or country payment risk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, IEC registration itself does not expire, though DGFT has introduced a requirement to periodically confirm/update IEC details online to keep it active.

Both refund embedded costs on exports, but they cover different components — drawback traditionally refunds customs duties on inputs, while RoDTEP was introduced to cover a broader range of previously non-refunded taxes and levies. Check current DGFT notifications for exact scope and rates.

Disclaimer: banking.niviyotech.com is an independent educational and informational platform developed by Niviyo Technologies. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or operated by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Punjab National Bank (PNB), or any government authority. Users should always refer to the latest official notifications, regulations, and guidelines before making financial or business decisions. In case of any conflict, the official notification or regulation shall prevail. Read our content policy.