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ICEGATE & AD Code Guide

ICEGATE — India's export customs system explained

What ICEGATE is, how to get login access, what an AD Code is and why every Indian exporter needs one — with step-by-step registration guides for JNPT, Hyderabad, and Chennai.

What is ICEGATE?

ICEGATE stands for Indian Customs EDI Gateway. It is the central IT platform operated by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) through which all import/export documentation flows between exporters, customs brokers (CHAs), shipping lines, and customs officers.

Think of ICEGATE as the digital customs office of India. Every Shipping Bill, Bill of Entry, and customs-related certificate passes through this system.

What ICEGATE handles:

Electronic filing of Shipping Bills (export) and Bills of Entry (import)
E-Sanchit — electronic upload of supporting documents (invoice, packing list, certificates)
LEO (Let Export Order) issuance after customs examination
EGM (Export General Manifest) — filed by the shipping line after vessel departs
Duty refund tracking (IGST refund, RoDTEP credits, Drawback)
ICEGATE registered exporter profile — links your IEC, PAN, AD Code

How to create an ICEGATE login

    1

    Go to icegate.gov.in

    Click 'Register' on the top right. Select 'Exporter/Importer' as your user type.

    2

    Enter your IEC

    Your 10-digit IEC is the primary identifier. ICEGATE fetches your basic details from DGFT records automatically.

    3

    Verify with OTP

    OTP is sent to the mobile number and email registered with your IEC on the DGFT portal. Ensure they are updated.

    4

    Set password and complete profile

    Upload DSC (Digital Signature Certificate) if you plan to sign documents electronically. CHAs can also sign on your behalf.

    5

    Link your AD Code

    Once your AD Code is registered at the custom house, it automatically links to your ICEGATE profile within 24–48 hours.

Go to ICEGATE

What is an AD Code?

AD Code (Authorised Dealer Code) is a 14-digit number assigned by your bank to your export account. It links your IEC to your bank account in the customs system so that:

  • → Foreign inward remittances (payment from overseas buyer) are matched to your shipment
  • → IGST refunds and RoDTEP credits are sent to the correct bank account
  • → Duty Drawback is credited to the correct bank account
  • → BRC (Bank Realisation Certificate) is issued once buyer pays

Key facts about AD Code:

Port-specific: One AD Code per port per bank account. Exporting from 3 ports = 3 AD Code registrations.
Bank-specific: If you switch banks, you need a new AD Code at each port.
One-time: Register once per port, valid forever (until you change bank or account).
Mandatory: No Shipping Bill can be filed without a valid AD Code registered at that port.

New exporter tip: Register your AD Code before Ambeza files your first Shipping Bill — the process takes 3–7 working days. Ambeza will guide you through this as part of our first-shipment onboarding.

AD Code registration — port by port

Step-by-step guide for the three most common export ports used by Ambeza customers.

JNPT / Nhava Sheva

JNPT Custom House Portal

Bank branch: Any authorised dealer (AD) bank branch that handles foreign exchange — typically your current account bank

Steps

  1. 1Visit your bank branch with your IEC copy, PAN, GST certificate, and current account details
  2. 2Fill Form AD (provided by the bank) — states the port for which AD Code is being registered
  3. 3Bank assigns a unique 14-digit AD Code for your IEC at JNPT
  4. 4Bank sends the AD Code letter to Nhava Sheva Customs (JNPT) directly, or you carry it
  5. 5Submit AD Code registration application to the Principal Commissioner, JNPT Custom House
  6. 6Customs enters AD Code in their system — typically takes 3–5 working days
  7. 7After confirmation, your CHA can start filing Shipping Bills with your AD Code at JNPT

Documents needed

  • IEC certificate
  • PAN card
  • GST registration certificate
  • Bank current account proof
  • Cancelled cheque
  • AD Code letter from bank

RGIA Hyderabad (Air Cargo)

ICEGATE Portal

Bank branch: Any AD bank with Hyderabad branch — ICICI, HDFC, SBI all registered

Steps

  1. 1Obtain AD Code letter from your bank mentioning 'Rajiv Gandhi International Airport Air Cargo Complex, Hyderabad'
  2. 2Submit application to Air Customs, RGIA, Shamshabad along with all documents
  3. 3Customs officer verifies IEC, PAN, and bank details against DGFT portal
  4. 4AD Code registered in Customs EDI system — takes 2–4 working days
  5. 5Confirmation letter issued by Customs — keep this on file for every future shipment
  6. 6First Shipping Bill at RGIA must reference the registered AD Code

Documents needed

  • IEC certificate
  • PAN card
  • GST registration certificate
  • Bank AD Code letter (mentioning RGIA)
  • GSTIN and address proof

Chennai Port

Chennai Customs Portal

Bank branch: Any AD category-I bank — register at your nearest AD bank with Chennai Port mentioned

Steps

  1. 1Get AD Code letter from bank specifying 'Chennai Customs' as the port
  2. 2Apply at Chennai Custom House, Rajaji Salai
  3. 3Submit self-attested copies of all documents
  4. 4Customs creates your exporter profile in ICES (Indian Customs EDI System)
  5. 5AD Code approval email / letter sent within 3–5 days
  6. 6CHAs at Chennai can now file Shipping Bills under your AD Code

Documents needed

  • IEC certificate
  • PAN
  • GST certificate
  • AD Code letter from bank (mentioning Chennai)
  • Company registration / MOA

Shipping Bill types — all 6 explained

Every export from India requires a Shipping Bill filed on ICEGATE. There are 6 types. Your CHA selects the right one based on whether you are claiming incentives.

TypeFormWhen to useProcessing time
Free Shipping BillSB-1Standard exports — no claim for any export incentiveProcessing: same day to 24 hours
Drawback Shipping BillSB-2Claiming Duty Drawback — customs duty paid on imported inputs used in manufactured export goodsProcessing: 24–72 hours; refund: 3–8 working days after LEO
DEEC / Advance AuthorisationSB-3Exporting against Advance Authorisation (AA) or DFIA where duty-free imported inputs are usedProcessing: 24–48 hours
DEPB Shipping BillSB-4DEPB (Duty Entitlement Passbook) scheme — largely discontinued post-GST. Legacy use onlyLegacy processing
Re-export Shipping BillSB-5Re-exporting imported goods in the same or repaired conditionProcessing: 24–48 hours
RoDTEP Shipping BillSB-1 with RoDTEP declarationClaiming RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) creditsCredit issued within 2–3 working days post LEO to ICEGATE account

Free Shipping Bill

SB-1

Use when: Standard exports — no claim for any export incentive

Examples: Export of goods not eligible for Duty Drawback or IGST refund

Key fields: IEC, consignee, port, invoice, packing list, BRC (post-shipment)

Drawback Shipping Bill

SB-2

Use when: Claiming Duty Drawback — customs duty paid on imported inputs used in manufactured export goods

Examples: Textiles, engineering goods, chemicals where imported raw material used

Key fields: Drawback Schedule rates, quantity of exported goods, value declaration

You cannot claim IGST refund and Duty Drawback on the same goods (dual benefit not allowed).

DEEC / Advance Authorisation

SB-3

Use when: Exporting against Advance Authorisation (AA) or DFIA where duty-free imported inputs are used

Examples: Export houses, manufacturer-exporters with DGFT AA licences

Key fields: AA licence number, port of import, input-output norms

Customs compares the AA licence with actual exports and closes the licence on DGFT portal.

DEPB Shipping Bill

SB-4

Use when: DEPB (Duty Entitlement Passbook) scheme — largely discontinued post-GST. Legacy use only

Examples: Rare — check with your CHA if you have legacy DEPB credits

Key fields: DEPB rate, FOB value

DEPB scheme discontinued. Most exporters now use RoDTEP or Drawback instead.

Re-export Shipping Bill

SB-5

Use when: Re-exporting imported goods in the same or repaired condition

Examples: Warranty replacement goods, goods imported for job work then re-exported

Key fields: Original BE (Bill of Entry) number, duty originally paid, proof of re-export

Enables customs duty refund on the original import (via re-import/re-export provisions).

RoDTEP Shipping Bill

SB-1 with RoDTEP declaration

Use when: Claiming RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) credits

Examples: Most manufacturing exporters — garments, auto parts, chemicals, etc.

Key fields: HSN code, RoDTEP rate applicable, FOB value declared

Cannot be combined with AA/DFIA scheme on the same goods.

Official government portals

ICEGATE — file Shipping Bills

File SBs, track refunds, view LEO status

DGFT — IEC registration

Import Export Code, FTP licences, RoDTEP rates

GST portal — LUT / IGST

File LUT for zero-rated exports, track IGST refunds

CBIC — duty rates

Customs tariff, drawback schedule notifications

ECCS — JNPT customs

JNPT-specific customs circulars and port orders

Sevottam — grievances

Escalate customs grievances online

Port SelectorDocuments GuideRoDTEP & DrawbackPort Handover Flow

Need help with ICEGATE registration or AD Code?

Ambeza handles the entire ICEGATE setup and AD Code registration as part of our onboarding. You don't need to interact with customs directly.

  • AD Code registration at any Indian port
  • ICEGATE account setup and document upload (E-Sanchit)
  • Shipping Bill filing and LEO tracking
  • IGST refund and RoDTEP credit monitoring
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