Port Registration & AD Code on ICEGATE: Fees, Documents and Step-by-Step Process

Before your first export shipment, customs needs to know which bank account receives your export proceeds. That link is made by registering your AD code (Authorised Dealer code) on ICEGATE. People often call this "port registration".

In short: there is no government fee. You need an IEC, an ICEGATE login with a digital signature, and an AD code letter from your bank. You upload it with a cancelled cheque on e-Sanchit, and one registration now covers all ports.

What Is an AD Code?

• A 14-digit code issued by your bank, the Authorised Dealer in foreign exchange
• It identifies the bank branch and account where export proceeds will be received
• Customs uses it to link shipping bills to your bank for export realisation, duty drawback and other benefits

Prerequisites

1. Importer Exporter Code (IEC), updated on the DGFT portal. See our IEC registration service.
2. ICEGATE registration with a Class 3 digital signature certificate. See our ICEGATE registration guide.
3. A current account with a bank authorised to deal in foreign exchange.

Documents Required

• AD code letter from the bank on its letterhead, in the format customs prescribes, with the 14-digit AD code, account details and IEC
• Cancelled cheque of the same account
• Digital signature of the authorised person for e-Sanchit uploads

Step-by-Step: AD Code Registration on ICEGATE

1. Get the AD code letter from your bank.
2. Log in to ICEGATE with your registered credentials.
3. Upload the bank letter and cancelled cheque on e-Sanchit, signed with your DSC, and note the document reference numbers (IRNs).
4. Open the AD code registration service and enter the AD code, bank and account details with the document references.
5. Submit the application. It goes to customs for verification.
6. Approval: applications filed before 2 PM on a working day are usually decided the same day.

Once approved, the AD code is linked to your IEC across all ports, so your customs broker can file shipping bills anywhere.

What Happens After Registration: The Export Flow

1. Shipping bill: your customs broker files it on ICEGATE using your IEC and registered AD code.
2. Examination and Let Export Order (LEO): customs assesses and, where selected, examines the goods, then grants LEO.
3. Export General Manifest (EGM): the shipping line or airline files it after the goods leave.
4. Export benefits: IGST refunds and duty drawback are processed against the shipping bill and paid to your registered account.
5. Realisation: your AD bank receives the payment, reports it and generates the electronic bank realisation certificate on the DGFT system.

If the AD code is missing or wrong, the shipping bill cannot be filed, or benefits get stuck. That is why AD code registration should be done before your first shipment, not on the day of dispatch.

Port Registration Fees and Charges

Item	Cost
Customs fee for AD code registration	None
Bank charges for the AD code letter	As per your bank
Digital signature certificate	Paid to the certifying authority
Professional or customs broker fee	If you use an agent

Other Registrations Linked to Exports

• Bank account for duty drawback and IGST refunds, registered with customs
• RCMC from FIEO or an Export Promotion Council. See our FIEO membership guide.
• Product-specific registrations, such as Spices Board CRES or FSSAI

Common Rejection Reasons

• Bank letter in the wrong format, or missing the IEC or AD code
• Account mismatch between the letter and the cancelled cheque
• IEC details not updated on the DGFT portal
• Unsigned or wrongly signed e-Sanchit uploads

How Instacertify Helps

We handle IEC and ICEGATE registration, get the bank letter format right, upload documents on e-Sanchit and register your AD code. See our ICEGATE registration service.