You can file an IEC, ICEGATE registration and AD Code yourself and pay only the government fees, which are ₹500 for the IEC and nothing for the others. A consultant is worth it when your time is expensive, documents are messy, a registration is stuck, or money is at stake in incentive claims and Advance Authorisation, where mistakes cost more than the fee.
What is the trade-off?
DIY saves the professional fee; a consultant saves time and reduces the risk of rejected or lost claims.
| Task | DIY difficulty | Where a consultant helps most |
|---|---|---|
| IEC | Easy with clean documents | Name or address mismatches |
| ICEGATE and AD Code | Moderate | DSC issues, port-specific steps |
| RCMC | Moderate | Choosing the right council |
| RoDTEP / RoSCTL | Moderate | Unclaimed or held shipping bills |
| Duty drawback | Moderate to hard | Brand rate, held refunds |
| Advance Authorisation | Hard | Norms, obligations, closure |
When should you do it yourself?
Do it yourself if you have one simple registration, clean documents and time to learn the portal. Our IEC guide walks through every step.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a consultant cost?
Import Export Advisor charges ₹999 flat for most services. See pricing.
Related reading
Sources and official portals
Import Export Advisor is a private consultancy, not a government body. Scheme rules and fees change; this page reflects information checked on the date above. Confirm current requirements on the official portal before filing.