How to Apply for It, Benefits

In this age of cut-throat competition, everyone wants to grow their business beyond the limits of the domestic market. However, doing business globally isn’t just a cup of tea for everyone. Before going global, you need to follow several procedures and laws in place and get different registration and license. IEC (Import Export Code) license is one of such prerequisite when you’re thinking of importing or exporting from India.

IEC (Import Export Code) is required by anyone who is looking to kick-start his/her import/export business in the country. It is issued by the DGFT (Director General of Foreign Trade). IEC is a 10-digit code which has a lifetime validity. Predominantly importers merchant cannot import goods without the Import Export Code and similarly, the exporter merchant cannot avail benefits from DGFT for the export scheme, etc. without IEC.

IEC is required in the following situations

• When an importer has to clear his shipments from the customs then it’s needed by the customs authorities.
• When an importer sends money abroad through banks then it’s needed by the bank.
• When an exporter has to send his shipments then its needed by the customs port.
• When an exporter receives money in foreign currency directly into his bank account then its required by the bank.

Steps Involved in IEC (Import/Export Code) Registration

Step 1: First, you need to prepare an application form in the specified format – Aayaat Niryaat Form no. 2A format and file it with the respective Regional office of DGFT.

Step 2: Secondly, you need to prepare the required documents with respect to your identity & legal entity and address proof with your bank details & the certificate in respect of ANF2A.

Step 3: One your application is completed; you need to file with DGFT via DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) and pay the required fee for the IEC Registration.

Step 4: Finally, once your application is approved then you would receive the IEC Code in a soft copy from the government.

Documents required for IEC (Import Export Code) Registration

For IEC Code Registration following documents are required:

• Individual’s or Firm’s or Company’s copy of PAN Card
• Individual’s voter id or Aadhar card or passport copy
• Individual’s or company’s or firm’s cancel cheque copy of current bank account
• Copy of Rent Agreement or Electricity Bill Copy of the premise

Benefits of IEC Registration

• Expansion of Business
  

  IEC assists you in taking your services or product to the global market and grow your businesses.

• Availing Several Benefits
  

  The Companies could avail several benefits of their imports/ exports from the DGFT, Export Promotion Council, Customs, etc., on the basis of their IEC registration.

• No Filling of returns
  

  IEC does not require the filing of any returns. Once allotted, there isn’t any requirement to follow any sort of processes for sustaining its validity. Even for export transactions, there isn’t any requirement for filing any returns with DGFT.

• Easy Processing
  

  It is fairly easy to obtain IEC code from the DGFT within a period of 10 to 15 days after submitting the application. There isn’t any need to provide proof of any export or import for getting IEC code.

• No need for renewal
  

  IEC code is effective for the lifetime of an entity and requires no renewal. After it is obtained, it could be used by an entity against all export and import transactions.

ISO REGISTRATION

ISO refers to International Organization for Standardisation. It is an independent organisation that provides standards in terms of quality, safety, and efficiency of products and services provided by businesses. With the increasing competition among the business, it is important to deliver high quality of goods & services in order to sustain in the market. ISO certification helps to improve your business credibility as well as overall efficiency of the business.

Pre-Requisite to ISO Certification Process in India

a. Choosing the type of ISO Certification

First of all, you need to choose the type of ISO certification required for your business.

There are various types of ISO certification available such as :

ISO 9001 2008	Quality Management
ISO 14001	Environmental Management
ISO 27001	Information security Management
ISO 22008	Food Safety Management and so on.

b. Choosing an ISO Certification Body

It must be noted that ISO itself does not provide certification to the companies. Certification is done by the external bodies. It is very important that you choose recognized and credible certification body.

While choosing the ISO registrar, you should keep the following in mind:

• Evaluate several ISO Certification service providers.
• Check if they are following the CASCO standards. CASCO is the ISO committee that works on issues relating to conformity assessment.
• Check whether it is accredited or not. Accreditation is not compulsory but they must meet the requirements of ISO Accreditation bodies.

Process for ISO Certification in India

a. Create an application /contract

The applicant and the registrar should agree on a contract. This contract usually defines rights and obligations of both parties and includes liability issues, confidentiality, and access rights.

b. Quality Documents Review

The ISO auditor will view all your quality manuals & documents related to various policies & procedures being followed in the organization. Review of existing work will help the ISO auditor to identify the possible gaps against the requirements stipulated in the ISO standards.

c. Make an Action Plan

After the ISO auditor communicates the existing gaps in your organization, you should prepare an action plan to eliminate these gaps. Prepare the list of the required tasks to be performed to bring the desired changes in your organization. You may be required to give training to your employees to work efficiently while adapting to new procedures. Make all the employees aware of the ISO standards in terms of work efficiency and quality standards.

d. Initial Certification Audit

The initial certification audit is divided into two categories- Stage 1 and Stage 2.

Stage 1:

The ISO auditor will audit the changes made by you in the organization. They will then try to identify the possible non-conformities in your systems and procedures to the desired quality management system. They will divide these non-conformities into minor and major non-conformities. The applicant must carefully assess all these non-conformities and get it aligned as per the desired quality standards through modification in the techniques and processes used by the organisation.

Stage 2:

After all the required changes are done in the organisation, the ISO auditor does the final auditing. The auditor will check whether all the non-conformities have been eliminated or not as per ISO quality standards. If the ISO auditor is satisfied, they will prepare the final ISO audit report and forward it to the registrar.

e. Completing the ISO Certification

After all non-conformities are addressed and all the findings are put in the ISO audit report, the registrar will grant you the ISO certification.

f. Surveillance Audits

Surveillance audit is basically conducted to ensure that ISO quality standards are being maintained by the organization. It is conducted from time to time.

Cost involved in the ISO Certification Process

Cost for getting ISO certification is not fixed and varies from organization to organization. The ISO certification agency calculates the cost of ISO certification separately for each organization after considering them on different parameters such as :

Number of employees

Number of Processes

Level of risk associated with the scope of services of the organisation

Complexity of the management system

The number of working shifts etc.

Time involved in the ISO Certification Process

Time taken in completing the whole process of ISO certification also varies from organization to organization. The fair idea can be given by the ISO certification agency after assessing the size of the company.

Generally, the time required to complete the process of ISO certification is approximate:

Small organisations	6-8 months
Medium organisations	8-12 months
Large organisation	12-15 months