Customs Froze Our Shipping Token at the Port – How to Complete the Mandatory April-to-June DGFT Profiling Update

A shipment is ready for clearance, the logistics team is waiting, and the customs filing suddenly shows an IEC-related error. For an exporter, even a small compliance issue can lead to shipment delays, additional logistics costs and pressure from buyers.

One important compliance task businesses must not overlook is the annual Importer Exporter Code (IEC) update on the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) portal. Under the applicable procedure, IEC holders must update or confirm their details during the April-to-June window, even when no information has changed.

Missing the deadline can result in IEC deactivation. However, a frozen shipping token or failed customs filing can have other causes too, so identifying the exact error is the first step.

Why Can an Export Shipment Get Stuck at Customs?

Several compliance or system issues can interrupt export documentation and clearance.

• Missed annual IEC update: The IEC may become deactivated if the annual update is not completed within the stipulated period.

• Incorrect business details: Differences in the IEC profile, PAN, address or other registration information may require correction.

• ICEGATE or customs integration issues: The customs system may not yet reflect an updated status or may return a technical error.

• Digital signature or token problems: An expired certificate, driver issue or authentication failure can prevent electronic filing.

• Separate customs requirements: Shipping bill, bank account or Authorised Dealer (AD) Code-related issues may need independent verification.

Do not assume every shipping-token error is caused by the annual DGFT update. Check the precise error message with your customs broker or authorised compliance professional.

What Is the Mandatory DGFT Annual IEC Update?

The IEC is an essential identification code for businesses involved in importing or exporting goods, subject to applicable exemptions. DGFT's annual update process helps keep the business information associated with the IEC current.

The annual update is generally completed between 1 April and 30 June. Businesses must verify their existing details and confirm or amend them as required, even if there are no changes.

According to DGFT's published fee schedule, annual IEC updation during April to June carries no application fee, while updation after the stipulated period has a listed fee of ₹200. Always verify the current portal requirements before submitting an application.

How to Complete the DGFT Profile Update

Follow these steps to check and update your IEC details.

Step 1: Access the official DGFT portal

Visit the DGFT official website and sign in using the registered account.

Step 2: Open IEC Profile Management

Navigate to the IEC-related services and select the option to view or update your IEC profile.

Step 3: Verify business information

Review the legal business name, PAN-linked details, registered address, contact information, bank details and other fields displayed in the profile. Correct discrepancies where required.

Step 4: Confirm or amend the details

If the information is accurate, complete the applicable annual confirmation process. If changes are needed, update the relevant fields and submit the request.

Step 5: Save the acknowledgement

Keep the submission reference, acknowledgement or status confirmation for your records. Check the IEC status on the portal after submission.

Step 6: Recheck customs filing

If the IEC was inactive, confirm that its status has been restored. Ask your customs broker to check ICEGATE and retry the filing when the status and other requirements are in order. If the error remains, raise it through the appropriate official helpdesk or customs channel.

What If the IEC Is Already Deactivated?

If your shipment is waiting at the port, take action promptly:

1. Check the IEC status on the DGFT portal.

2. Complete the overdue update or reactivation procedure shown by the portal.

3. Pay any applicable late fee through the official payment process.

4. Retain the acknowledgement and verify the updated IEC status.

5. Ask your customs broker to check whether the issue has cleared on ICEGATE.

6. If the filing still fails, investigate the exact error instead of repeatedly submitting the same request.

Processing time can vary. Do not assume that completing the DGFT update automatically resolves every customs, digital-signature or shipping-bill issue.

Avoid Last-Minute Export Compliance Problems

A delayed shipment can affect delivery schedules, logistics costs and buyer relationships. Make annual IEC verification part of your business calendar, retain submission records and investigate customs errors early.

Contact Embark CorpServ to discuss IEC documentation, registration support and other business compliance requirements.