—IEC
Importing and Exporting From Himachal Pradesh: DGFT, Ports, Air Cargo and ICDs
Practical points for importers and exporters in Himachal Pradesh: the DGFT office, ports and air cargo, inland container depots, and key export sectors.
Himachal Pradesh exports pharmaceuticals (largely from the Baddi area), apples and horticultural products, and engineering goods. 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 Himachal Pradesh, which the DGFT website lists.
Sea Freight
Himachal Pradesh is landlocked. Sea freight usually moves through inland container depots in Punjab and Haryana, and on to ports in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Exporters register their AD code at each port or inland container depot they ship through.
Air Cargo
Air cargo usually moves through Delhi or Chandigarh airports. Exporters shipping by air register their AD code with customs at the airport.
Key Sectors
- Pharmaceuticals: exports need drug regulatory documents and often cold-chain handling.
- Agricultural and processed foods: APEDA registration, phytosanitary certificates and buyer-country food rules apply.
- Engineering goods: exporters usually register with EEPC, and some items need export licences under the SCOMET list.
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 Himachal 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 Himachal Pradesh state GST department or central GST.
A Checklist for Traders in Himachal Pradesh
- 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 Himachal Pradesh start importing and exporting, from IEC to GST refunds.