The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has issued Public Notice on November 20, 2025, amending Para 2.08 of the Handbook of Procedures (HBP) 2023 concerning the application for the Importer Exporter Code (IEC).
The key effect of this amendment is to streamline the online application process, merge documentation, and formalize electronic verification procedures.
Key Amendments to HBP 2023, Para 2.08
The following changes have been implemented with immediate effect:
- Form Merger and Deletion:
- The details previously required in ANF-1A have been incorporated into ANF-2A.
- ANF-1A is now deleted, and ANF-2A is revised.
- Amendment to Para 2.08 (c) – Document Submission:
| Existing Provision | Revised Provision |
| The applicant is required to submit online application with the following details/documents (scanned copies to be uploaded) along with the IEC application; | The details submitted in the IEC application shall be validated through online integration with records maintained by relevant Ministries/Departments/Organisations/Banks, wherever feasible. Further, the applicant is required to submit the following details/documents (scanned copies to be uploaded), unless specifically exempted by the system during the online application process. |
| Effect: This amendment emphasizes electronic verification of applicant details and reduces the mandatory requirement for document uploads if the information can be verified through online integration. |
- Amendment to Para 2.08 (d) – Post-Verification:
| Existing Provision | Revised Provision |
| RAs would conduct post-verification of online IECs as per the guidelines. | The guidelines for the conduct of post-verification of Online IECs will be issued by DGFT Headquarters from time to time. |
| Effect: This clarifies that the specific guidelines for the post-verification process of online IECs will be centrally issued by the DGFT Headquarters. |
Revised Application Form (ANF-2A) Overview
The revised ANF-2A is the consolidated and paperless application form for the issuance or updation of the IEC. It is to be filled out electronically via the DGFT Website. The form requires comprehensive details, including:
- Applicant Details: Name, address, mobile/landline, email, nature of concern (e.g., Proprietorship, Partnership, Private Limited), PAN, GSTIN (mandatory, if applicable), and turnover details for the preceding three financial years.
- Exporter Category: Classification as Merchant Exporter, Manufacturer Exporter, Service Provider, etc.
- Status as SEZ/EOU: Declaration if the firm or its branches are located in a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) or under EOU/EHTP/STP/BTP schemes.
- Branch Details: Addresses and GSTINs of all branches/units in India.
- Details of Key Personnel: Name, Date of Birth, PAN, and Residential Address of the Proprietor/Partner/Director/Karta/Managing Trustee(s).
- Bank Account(s) Details: All bank accounts associated with the PAN, including account number, IFSC code, and designation of the primary account.
- Preferred Sectors of Operations: Detailed listing of preferred sectors for both Import Goods/Services and Export Goods/Services.
- Declarations: Undertakings regarding compliance with the Foreign Trade Policy, absence of penalties under various tax and trade acts (Customs, FEMA, GST, etc.), and confirmation that the entity/key personnel are not on the Denied Entity List (DEL).
The public notice also includes formats for the Bank Certificate (ANF-2A(I)) and the Electronic Importer-Exporter Code (e-IEC) Certificate (ANF-2A(II)) for reference.