—IEC
Importing and Exporting From Uttarakhand: DGFT, Ports, Air Cargo and ICDs
Practical points for importers and exporters in Uttarakhand: the DGFT office, ports and air cargo, inland container depots, and key export sectors.
Uttarakhand exports pharmaceuticals, auto components, processed foods and FMCG products, many from industrial estates around Haridwar and Pantnagar. 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 Uttarakhand, which the DGFT website lists.
Sea Freight
Uttarakhand is landlocked. Sea freight usually moves through inland container depots in the state or in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, 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 airport. 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.
- Auto components: exports often go to global OEMs with their own quality certifications, and imports of parts may need BIS compliance.
- Agricultural and processed foods: APEDA registration, phytosanitary certificates and buyer-country food rules apply.
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 Uttarakhand
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 Uttarakhand state GST department or central GST.
A Checklist for Traders in Uttarakhand
- 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 Uttarakhand start importing and exporting, from IEC to GST refunds.