How to Become an IEC-Recognised Exporter on Tradoi

An Import Export Code (IEC) is a 10-digit registration from India's DGFT that authorises a business to export. If you want to sell to buyers in the Gulf, Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, or North America, this is the registration you need. On Tradoi, a verified IEC earns you the Export Ready badge, and once you switch on export, you start showing up in front of international buyers looking for trusted Indian suppliers.

One thing to be clear about before we start: an IEC sits on top of your verification. It does not replace it. You still need a verified business to sell on Tradoi, and the IEC is something you add on top once you're ready to ship abroad.

This guide walks you through three things: getting an IEC if you don't already have one, adding it to Tradoi, and switching on export so cross-border buyers can find you.

The short version

• An IEC is a 10-digit code from DGFT that lets an Indian business export
• You apply online for about ₹500 and it takes around 15 minutes, with the code issued in 24 to 48 hours
• On Tradoi it earns the Export Ready badge, and uploading it is free
• It sits on top of your business verification and does not replace it

Get Your IEC from DGFT

A one-time registration, valid for the life of your business.

If you don't already have an IEC, you apply directly on the DGFT portal. It's quick, and you don't need an agent to do it for you.

• Go to dgft.gov.in, open Services, and choose Apply for IEC. Log in with your business PAN and verify by OTP.
• Keep four things handy before you start: your business PAN, your Aadhaar for e-KYC, a cancelled cheque or bank certificate, and an address proof.
• Pay the government fee, which is around ₹500 at the time of writing, by UPI, card, or net banking.
• The IEC usually comes through within 24 to 48 hours. You'll get it by email and as a PDF you can download from the portal.
• One thing trips people up more than anything else: the business name on your PAN has to match your other documents exactly. Even a small difference is the usual reason an application gets rejected.

Add Your IEC to Tradoi

This is what earns you the Export Ready badge.

Once DGFT sends you the IEC certificate as a PDF, you add it under Documents. That's its own menu, separate from Settings.

• Open Documents from the sidebar on desktop, or tap Docs in the bottom bar on mobile, and start a new upload.
• Choose Import Export Code (IEC) as the document type and pick your certificate. It has to be a PDF, up to 10 MB.
• We pull out your IEC number and details from the certificate. Check that everything looks right, then save.
• If it verifies cleanly, the Export Ready badge shows up on your Digital Store straight away. If it needs a closer look, it goes to a quick manual review and you'll hear back by email.

Switch On Export to Reach International Buyers

The badge proves it. Turning on export is what puts you in front of buyers.

The badge tells buyers you're export-capable, but to actually show up when they search for exporters, you need to turn on export in your profile and say where you ship.

• In your profile, set where you sell to include Export, then pick the countries you serve.
• From there, your store carries the Export Ready badge in search, you appear when international buyers use the Export Ready filter, and cross-border Verified Leads start matching to you.
• You stay visible to your domestic buyers too. Export adds to your reach, it doesn't pull you away from your home market.

What an IEC Is Not

A lot of sellers assume an IEC is some kind of verification upgrade. It isn't, and knowing that saves a lot of confusion.

• An IEC won't replace your business verification. Every Tradoi seller verifies their business first, and an IEC on its own won't activate your store or your listings.
• It isn't a verification tier either. Tiers reflect how deeply your business is verified, and the IEC plays no part in that.
• And it doesn't add to your Trust Score. Those points come from verifying your phone and email, verifying your business, and the way you trade over time.

What International Buyers Expect

Cross-border buyers look for more than just the badge. Set your store up the way they expect, and the RFQs convert.

• Market-specific certifications: CE for the EU, FDA for the US, Halal for the Gulf, and ISO 9001 across the board.
• Comfort with export paperwork: the commercial invoice, the packing list, and the certificate of origin.
• An MOQ and lead time that account for freight: usually a higher minimum, and a few extra weeks to allow for ocean shipping.

Conclusion

Getting export-ready on Tradoi comes down to three moves: get your IEC from DGFT, add it under Documents, and switch on export with the countries you serve. The badge does the rest, since it's the trust signal international buyers filter for. Keep your business verification current, line up the certifications your buyers expect in their market, and you're set to win cross-border RFQs right alongside your domestic ones.

Common Questions

Does an IEC replace business verification on Tradoi?

No. An IEC sits on top of your business verification, it doesn't replace it. Every Tradoi seller verifies their business first, and an IEC on its own won't activate your store or your listings.

Does uploading an IEC cost anything on Tradoi?

No. Adding your IEC and earning the Export Ready badge is free. The only cost involved is the government fee you pay DGFT when you apply for the code, which is around ₹500 at the time of writing.

Does an IEC raise my Trust Score or move me up a tier?

No to both. The IEC isn't a verification tier, and it doesn't add to your Trust Score. Trust Score points come from verifying your phone and email, verifying your business, and how you trade over time. Tiers reflect how deeply your business is verified.

How long does IEC verification take on Tradoi?

If your IEC certificate verifies cleanly, the Export Ready badge appears on your Digital Store straight away. If it needs a closer look, it goes to a quick manual review and you'll hear back by email.

How do I get an IEC if I don't have one?

Apply directly on the DGFT portal at dgft.gov.in. It takes around 15 minutes, costs about ₹500, and the code is usually issued within 24 to 48 hours by email and as a downloadable PDF. You don't need an agent.