With a view to taking steps towards E-commerce, the DGFT office has launched a project for enabling the Importers/ Exporters to file their applications electronically. This would help the exporters/ importers in seeking status of their licence and other applications electronically. The connectivity between the DGFT and the Customs, to begin with, will facilitate exchange of information between the two organisations and will lead to substantial saving of time as logging of DEEC book will also take place electronically along with the Shipping Bill. This would be a forerunner to the establishment of EDI with other agencies (like Banks and Ports), which have an interface with the exporters. As a first step towards achieving this goal, it has been decided to setup a complete database of IE codes issued in favour of all the Importers/ Exporters.

In exercise of powers conferred under paragraph 4.11 of the Export and Import Policy, 1997-2002, as notified in the Gazette of India extraordinary, Part-II- Section 3 � Sub- section (ii) vide S.O No.  283(E) dated 31.3.97; the Director General of Foreign Trade hereby lays down the following procedure in the Handbook of Procedures (Vol.1) (RE-99), 1997-2002 for changing/ updating the entries already made in the certificate for IEC code numbers issued so far by all the Regional/ Zonal offices:

1.      Open the home page at DGFT web site viz. http://www.nic.in/eximpol

2.      Link IEC online addition/ Updation

3.      Rectify/ update the information already given.

4.      After making necessary corrections on the website, a hard copy would be sent to the concerned licensing authority for post verification.

5.      Help, if required, is also available on the website itself.

6.      No penalty is payable if the correction/amendment is made before 31.12.99 in relaxation of the provision of paragraph 15.4(b) of the Handbook (Vol.1).

7.      Help of service provider can also be taken for carrying out necessary addition/ Updation.

The consignments of imports and exports shall be cleared on the basis of the updated information collected through the above mechanism. In case the information furnished by the importer/ exporter does not match with the information available on the website, the Customs may not allow clearance on or after 1.1.2000.

All Exporters/ Importers will therefore furnish the complete information on the website followed by a hard copy to be submitted to the licensing authority which had issued the IEC number. A hard copy will have to be furnished even if the information on the website does not require a change. All IE Code holders will have to mention the PAN (Income Tax distinctive number) in the column provided for this purpose. This is a mandatory provision. Those who have not yet been allotted PAN are advised to apply to the concerned Income Tax authorities that have agreed to allot PAN to IE Code holders expeditiously.

In such cases where the information has been updated in the website but hard copy is not furnished, no verification of Updation shall be carried out by the licensing authority. Therefore, the updated information on the website has to be invariably followed with a hard copy.

This issues in public interest.