Import Export Code
Directorate General of Foreign Trade under Ministry of Commerce and Industrygrants a permanent valid ten-digit number Import Export Code (IEC) to a person/organization to carry out import/ export activities. IEC is compulsory for the person to carry import activity i.e. no one allows to proceed import transactions without IEC.
IEC is not compulsory for the purpose of export however if the person has IEC then he can take the available benefits from DGFT, Customs, Export Promotion Council etc.It would be needed to clear shipment at custom port, send money to abroad against import, and to receive foreign currency in bank accounts against export.

Advantages Of Income Tax Return
Import
Anyone who wishes to import in India must have an IE code to complete import transaction.
Export
Exporter who exports goods abroad need to have IE code. It needs to be quoted at various documents in export transactions.
Bank Transactions
Valid Import Export Code needs to be submitted with bank to receive and making payments from abroad against export and import, respectively.

Permanent Valid
IE code once issued would be valid for lifetime and has no expiry. It would be valid for entire country, branches across the country.
Easy To Apply
Application for IE code can be filed easily, further registration of business is not compulsory to get IE code.
Online Processing
No need to submit any import/export proof for IE code application. Further online application can be submitted for IE code.