—IEC
Importing and Exporting From Jharkhand: DGFT, Ports, Air Cargo and ICDs
Practical points for importers and exporters in Jharkhand: the DGFT office, ports and air cargo, inland container depots, and key export sectors.
Jharkhand exports steel and engineering goods, minerals, auto components and tasar silk. 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 Jharkhand, which the DGFT website lists.
Sea Freight
Jharkhand is landlocked. Sea freight usually moves through Kolkata, Haldia or Paradip, with containers railed or trucked from the state. Exporters register their AD code at each port or inland container depot they ship through.
Air Cargo
Air cargo usually moves through Ranchi or Kolkata airports. 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.
- Engineering goods: exporters usually register with EEPC, and some items need export licences under the SCOMET list.
- Auto components: exports often go to global OEMs with their own quality certifications, and imports of parts may need BIS compliance.
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 Jharkhand
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 Jharkhand state GST department or central GST.
A Checklist for Traders in Jharkhand
- 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 Jharkhand start importing and exporting, from IEC to GST refunds.