—IEC
Importing and Exporting From Arunachal Pradesh: DGFT, Ports, Air Cargo and ICDs
Practical points for importers and exporters in Arunachal Pradesh: the DGFT office, ports and air cargo, land borders, inland container depots, and key export sectors.
Arunachal Pradesh has a small but growing base of traders, with exports of agricultural and forest-based products such as tea, oranges, large cardamom and bamboo products. 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 Arunachal Pradesh, which the DGFT website lists.
Sea Freight
Sea freight usually moves through Kolkata or Haldia, with containers trucked or railed through Assam. Exporters register their AD code at each port or inland container depot they ship through.
Air Cargo
Air cargo usually moves through Guwahati airport. Exporters shipping by air register their AD code with customs at the airport.
Land Borders
Trade with neighbouring countries is limited and governed by designated border points; check current rules before planning cross-border shipments.
Key Sectors
- Agricultural and processed foods: APEDA registration, phytosanitary certificates and buyer-country food rules apply.
- Tea: exporters register with the Tea Board.
- 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 Arunachal Pradesh
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 Arunachal Pradesh state GST department or central GST.
A Checklist for Traders in Arunachal Pradesh
- Get an IEC and complete the annual update every April to June.
- Register your AD code at the ports, airports or land customs stations 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 Arunachal Pradesh start importing and exporting, from IEC to GST refunds.