—IEC
Importing and Exporting From Chhattisgarh: DGFT, Ports, Air Cargo and ICDs
Practical points for importers and exporters in Chhattisgarh: the DGFT office, ports and air cargo, inland container depots, and key export sectors.
Chhattisgarh exports steel and metal products, minerals, rice and forest produce. 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. Matters under the Foreign Trade Policy, such as certain authorisations and schemes, are handled by the DGFT regional office with jurisdiction over Chhattisgarh, which the DGFT website lists.
Sea Freight
Sea freight usually moves by rail to Visakhapatnam or Paradip on the east coast, or to the western ports for some routes, with inland container depots in the state handling customs clearance. Exporters register their AD code at each port or inland container depot they ship through.
Air Cargo
Air cargo usually moves through Raipur, or through larger hubs like Mumbai, Kolkata or Hyderabad. Exporters shipping by air register their AD code with customs at the airport.
Key Sectors
- Minerals and metals: some minerals have export restrictions, and steel and aluminium products face trade measures in some markets.
- Rice and grains: APEDA registration applies, and export policy for some varieties changes from time to time.
- Bamboo, cane and forest products: some forest produce needs transit permits and certificates of origin.
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 Chhattisgarh
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 Chhattisgarh state GST department or central GST.
A Checklist for Traders in Chhattisgarh
- 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 Chhattisgarh start importing and exporting, from IEC to GST refunds.