—IEC
Importing and Exporting From Bihar: DGFT, Ports, Air Cargo and ICDs
Practical points for importers and exporters in Bihar: the DGFT office, ports and air cargo, land borders, inland container depots, and key export sectors.
Bihar exports agricultural products such as makhana, litchi and rice, along with textiles, leather and processed foods. 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. The DGFT has a regional office in Patna, which handles matters under the Foreign Trade Policy for the region, such as certain authorisations and schemes.
Sea Freight
Sea freight usually moves through Kolkata or Haldia, or by rail to other ports, 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 Patna, Kolkata or Delhi airports. Exporters shipping by air register their AD code with customs at the airport.
Land Borders
Bihar shares a long border with Nepal. Raxaul is the main land route, with an Integrated Check Post handling much of India's trade with Nepal.
Key Sectors
- Agricultural and processed foods: APEDA registration, phytosanitary certificates and buyer-country food rules apply.
- Rice and grains: APEDA registration applies, and export policy for some varieties changes from time to time.
- Leather and footwear: exporters register with the Council for Leather Exports.
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 Bihar
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 Bihar state GST department or central GST.
A Checklist for Traders in Bihar
- 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 Bihar start importing and exporting, from IEC to GST refunds.