Paragraphs 2 explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Paragraph 2.04 of the Policy lets the DGFT specify procedures by Public Notice, and paragraph 2.11 requires every application for an Importer Exporter Code, authorisation, licence, scrip or registration to be accompanied by an application fee as provided in Appendix 2K. The Handbook paragraphs 2.03 to 2.06 set out online filing, language of documents, jurisdiction, incomplete applications and the fee; paragraphs 2.86 and 2.87 deal with identity cards and interviews.
This article is based on the chapter-wise text of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 published on the DGFT website, as consulted on 2 October 2026; the copy carries no "updated up to" date. The procedure is taken from Chapter 2 of the Handbook of Procedures, 2023 as published on the DGFT website (file of July 2026), consulted on 2 October 2026. Later Notifications, Public Notices and Trade Notices should be checked before you act. No fee amount is stated in this article: the scale is in Appendix 2K, which is named and not reproduced. If you need a code before any other application, an IEC registration is the usual first filing.
The DGFT specifies procedures, and amendments, by Public Notice (paragraph 2.04). Every application must come with a fee as per Appendix 2K, paid online (paragraph 2.11(a)), and the fee is not refunded except as Appendix 2K provides (paragraph 2.11(b)). Under the Handbook, applications are filed online, go to the Regional Authority of the applicant's address, and an incomplete application not rectified within 90 days is deemed withdrawn (paragraph 2.05).
What the Policy says
Paragraph 2.04: authority to specify procedures
The DGFT may specify the procedures to be followed by an exporter or importer, by any licensing or Regional Authority (RA), or by any other authority, for implementing the Foreign Trade (Development & Regulation) Act, the Rules and Orders under it, and the Policy. Such procedures, or amendments, "shall be published by means of a Public Notice". This is the same power that paragraph 1.03 gives for the Handbook, and it is traced to section 6 of the Act: see section 6 of the Foreign Trade (Development and Regulation) Act, 1992. The Policy itself rests on section 5 of the Act.
Paragraph 2.11: application fee
- (a) An application for an IEC, authorisation, licence, scrip or registration must be accompanied by the application fee indicated in Appendix 2K of the Appendices and Aayat Niryat Forms. Fees must be paid online through any of the channels notified under Appendix 2K, unless provided otherwise.
- (b) The fee is the fee for processing the application. Once received it will not be refunded, except in the circumstances and the manner laid down in Appendix 2K.
The Policy's rule on the fee has a link with the Act's rules: the fee for a licence application is dealt with in rule 5 of the Foreign Trade (Regulation) Rules, 1993. Existing guides such as IEC registration under ANF 2A discuss fees for particular applications; this article gives none.
What the Handbook requires
Paragraph 2.03: filing of application
(a) Applications seeking authorisation for import or export of restricted goods, claiming benefits under schemes in the Policy, seeking clarifications or for other purposes may be made online on the DGFT website. (b) Applicants should ensure that documents are in English or Hindi. Documents in regional languages may be translated into English or Hindi, and the translated copy may be self-certified and submitted with the original copy.
Paragraph 2.04: territorial jurisdiction of the RA
The territorial jurisdiction of RAs is given in Appendix 1A. The address of the applicant determines the jurisdiction of the RA. Each application, unless otherwise specified, is submitted to the jurisdictional RA.
Paragraph 2.05: incomplete application
(a) An incomplete or unauthorised application is liable to be rejected by the competent authority with specific reasons for rejection. Such an application may be re-opened on rectifying the deficiencies. (b) If the deficiencies are not rectified within 90 days, the application is deemed to have been withdrawn.
Paragraph 2.06: application fee
The scale of fee, mode of payment, procedure for refund of fee and categories of persons exempted from payment of fee are provided in Appendix 2K.
Paragraph 2.86: identity cards
To facilitate collection of authorisations and other documents from DGFT Headquarters and the RA, identity cards, valid for 3 years, may be issued to the proprietor, partners, directors and authorised employees (not more than three) of importers and exporters upon online application. For limited companies, more than three identity cards can be allotted per company. A duplicate card for a lost one may be issued on a self-declaration. Cards are issued electronically with a QR code and a Unique Document Identification Number (UDIN) for electronic verification.
Paragraph 2.87: interview with authorised officers
Officers may grant an interview at their discretion to the authorised representative of an importer or exporter. Interviews or clarifications may also be sought by e-mail. Interactions should, to the extent possible, be through online medium or video conference.
| Paragraph | Subject | Point to note |
|---|---|---|
| Policy 2.04 | Procedures | By Public Notice |
| Policy 2.11 | Fee | As per Appendix 2K; online; refund only as Appendix 2K provides |
| Handbook 2.03 | Filing | Online; English or Hindi; regional-language documents translated and self-certified |
| Handbook 2.04 | Jurisdiction | By the applicant's address |
| Handbook 2.05 | Incomplete application | Rejection with reasons; deemed withdrawn after 90 days |
| Handbook 2.86 | Identity cards | Valid 3 years; for authorised employees, not more than three; limited companies may have more than three cards |
| Handbook 2.87 | Interviews | At the officers' discretion; online where possible |
A practical example
Harbor Weave Mills, an invented company, files an application online. It attaches a lease deed in a regional language and a translation, which the director self-certifies, as paragraph 2.03(b) allows. The application goes to the RA whose jurisdiction covers the company's address under paragraph 2.04. The RA finds a document missing and rejects the application with reasons. The company rectifies the deficiency and the application is re-opened. Had it done nothing for 90 days, it would be deemed withdrawn under paragraph 2.05(b), and the fee, under paragraph 2.11(b) of the Policy, would be refundable only as Appendix 2K provides. The company also applies for identity cards, valid for 3 years, for its authorised employees, so that they can collect documents.
Need help with an application?
Most delays on the DGFT side come from incomplete files rather than from the law. If you want an application checked before submission, or a code obtained to begin with, our team can help with an IEC registration and the supporting documents.
Key takeaways
- Procedures are specified by the DGFT through Public Notices (paragraph 2.04).
- The application fee is as per Appendix 2K, paid online; refund only as Appendix 2K provides (paragraph 2.11).
- Apply to the RA of the applicant's address; documents in English or Hindi (Handbook paragraphs 2.03, 2.04).
- An incomplete application can be rejected with reasons and is deemed withdrawn after 90 days (Handbook paragraph 2.05).
- Identity cards are valid for 3 years (Handbook paragraph 2.86).
Read next
- Paragraphs 2.03 and 2.03A: domestic laws and quality control orders on imports
- Paragraph 2.05: Importer Exporter Code
- Rule 5 of the Foreign Trade (Regulation) Rules, 1993: application fee, exemptions and refund
- IEC registration under ANF 2A on the DGFT portal
Disclaimer: Based on the chapter-wise text of the Foreign Trade Policy, 2023 and the Handbook of Procedures, 2023 published on the DGFT website, and on the later Notifications named in this article, as consulted on 2 October 2026. The copies carry no "updated up to" date. Notifications, Public Notices, Trade Notices, the ITC(HS) schedules, Appendices and forms change often; the current text on the DGFT website should be checked before acting. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.