—IEC
Importing and Exporting From Karnataka: DGFT, Ports, Air Cargo and ICDs
Practical points for importers and exporters in Karnataka: the DGFT office, ports and air cargo, inland container depots, and key export sectors.
Karnataka exports software and IT services, electronics, engineering goods, auto components, garments, coffee, and silk. 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 Bengaluru, which handles matters under the Foreign Trade Policy for the region, such as certain authorisations and schemes.
Sea Freight
New Mangalore port handles cargo on the west coast. Many Bengaluru exporters use the inland container depot at Whitefield and rail containers to Chennai or other ports. Exporters register their AD code at each port or inland container depot they ship through.
Air Cargo
Bengaluru airport is one of India's major air cargo hubs, especially for electronics, pharma and perishables. Exporters shipping by air register their AD code with customs at the airport.
Key Sectors
- Software and IT services: exports of services don't need customs clearance, but an IEC helps with Foreign Trade Policy benefits and bank remittances.
- Electronics and IT hardware: imports often need BIS compliance and other approvals.
- Auto components: exports often go to global OEMs with their own quality certifications, and imports of parts may need BIS compliance.
- Coffee: exporters register with the Coffee Board.
- Textiles and garments: exporters register with the relevant export promotion council, such as AEPC for apparel, and buyers often ask for compliance audits.
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 Karnataka
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 Karnataka state GST department or central GST.
A Checklist for Traders in Karnataka
- 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 Karnataka start importing and exporting, from IEC to GST refunds.