—IEC
Importing and Exporting From Chandigarh: DGFT, Ports, Air Cargo and ICDs
Practical points for importers and exporters in Chandigarh: the DGFT office, ports and air cargo, inland container depots, and key export sectors.
Chandigarh's traders export engineering goods, IT services and products from the wider tricity region. Importers and exporters here use the same national systems as everywhere else, with a few local points worth knowing. This guide covers them.
The IEC and DGFT
The IEC is applied for online on the DGFT portal, so there's no need to visit an office. The DGFT has a regional office in Chandigarh, which handles matters under the Foreign Trade Policy for the region, such as certain authorisations and schemes.
Sea Freight
Chandigarh is landlocked. Sea freight usually moves through inland container depots in Punjab, such as those around Ludhiana, and is railed to ports in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Exporters register their AD code at each port or inland container depot they ship through.
Air Cargo
Air cargo moves through Chandigarh airport, with Delhi used for larger volumes. Exporters shipping by air register their AD code with customs at the airport.
Key Sectors
- Engineering goods: exporters usually register with EEPC, and some items need export licences under the SCOMET list.
- Software and IT services: exports of services don't need customs clearance, but an IEC helps with Foreign Trade Policy benefits and bank remittances.
Most exporters also register with the relevant export promotion council or commodity board for a Registration-cum-Membership Certificate (RCMC), which is needed for many Foreign Trade Policy benefits.
GST for Exporters in Chandigarh
File a GST LUT each year to export without IGST, and claim refunds of unused credit. Refunds are processed by the jurisdictional officer — from the GST administration for Chandigarh or central GST.
A Checklist for Traders in Chandigarh
- Get an IEC and complete the annual update every April to June.
- Register your AD code at the airport, ICD or ports you use.
- File a GST LUT each year.
- Check sector-specific export requirements and register with the right export promotion council.
- Track realisation of export proceeds.
Getting Help
Think Filing helps businesses in Chandigarh start importing and exporting, from IEC to GST refunds.