Get your bank's AD code registered at the customs port with Legal Startup. A dedicated expert checks your IEC and documents, coordinates the bank letter, completes the ICEGATE registration and helps when you change bank or add another port.
Free call & custom quote · Professional fee + any bank charges
AD code registration in India means registering the Authorised Dealer code issued by your bank with Customs at the port from which you export, against your IEC. It links your shipping bills and export-related refunds to the correct bank account, so shipments are not held up at the port.
Last updated: October 2026. Customs procedures and port-wise requirements can change, so we confirm the current position before filing.
An AD code, or Authorised Dealer code, is a 14-character code allotted by the bank that handles your foreign exchange business. When you export goods, Customs needs to know through which bank the export proceeds and any refunds will flow. The AD code gives Customs that link.
The code is issued by the bank, but it only becomes useful once it is registered at the customs port. Registration is done online on ICEGATE against your Importer-Exporter Code (IEC). If you ship from several ports, or you move your account to another bank, the AD code has to be registered again for the new port or bank.
The AD code is different from the IEC. The IEC comes from the DGFT and gives you the right to import or export, while the AD code comes from your bank and ties your shipments to your bank account. For official information, see ICEGATE for Customs e-filing and DGFT for IEC. If you are building a brand for export, see our trademark registration online service.
What every exporter should know before registering.
The right route depends on your bank, ports and current records.
You are exporting for the first time or have never registered a code.
You moved your current account to another authorised dealer bank.
You plan to ship from a new seaport, airport or ICD.
You work with more than one bank for different export streams.
The registered AD code, bank or branch details are wrong or outdated.
You are starting from scratch and want to export soon.
Not sure which situation applies to you? Share your IEC and bank details and our experts will check it free of charge.
Why exporters register their AD code before the first shipment.
Shipments are not stopped at the port for a missing bank link.
Customs credits eligible refunds and incentives to the registered bank account.
Your IEC, bank and port records match, which reduces queries.
Export proceeds are linked to a single, verifiable bank account.
Registering early avoids last-minute delays when cargo is ready.
Registration is handled online without visiting the customs house.
From bank letter to registered AD code, here is how it works.
Timelines depend on the bank and the port. Not to scale.
We confirm that your IEC is valid and that PAN, GST and the current account details match.
We guide you on the request to your bank branch and check the letter for correct details.
The authorisation letter and the supporting documents are prepared and scanned for upload.
The AD code is registered against your IEC for the chosen port, one port at a time.
We follow the status and respond to any query raised by Customs or the bank.
Once the AD code shows as registered, you can proceed with shipping bills for that port.
Keep these ready to avoid delays. The exact list can vary by port and bank, and our expert will confirm it for your case.
The total cost depends on the number of ports and banks involved and on how ready your records are. It generally has three parts:
Some banks charge for issuing the AD code letter. This is set by the bank, so please confirm with your branch.
Our fee depends on the number of ports and codes. Call free for a custom quote before you pay anything.
Preparing a new IEC, correcting records, or registering extra ports and banks are charged separately.
We share a clear, itemised quote before you begin – no hidden charges. Get your free quote →
Choose the situation that matches you, or call free for a custom quote.
You have an IEC and a current account and need the AD code registered.
You changed your bank or want to ship from another port.
Several ports, several banks or records that need correction first.
Our professional fee is quoted after a free call. Bank charges, if any, are separate. Not sure which option fits? Ask for a free document check.
If you ship goods out of India, check your AD code before the first shipping bill.
New IEC holders about to file their first shipping bill.
Export-oriented units that want refunds credited without delay.
Businesses that buy from suppliers and export under their own IEC.
Sellers shipping to overseas customers through courier or cargo routes.
A new bank means a new AD code that must be registered.
Shipping from another port or airport needs registration there too.
A quick view of how the AD code differs from the other numbers exporters hear about.
| Item | Issued by | Purpose | Where it is used | Needed for exports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IEC | DGFT | Right to import or export | DGFT and Customs | Yes |
| AD code | Authorised dealer bank | Links shipments and refunds to your bank account | Registered at the customs port | Yes, for port clearance and refunds |
| GSTIN | GST authorities | Tax registration | Invoices and refunds | Yes, in most cases |
| Current account | Authorised dealer bank | Receiving export proceeds | Bank and Customs mapping | Yes |
Most shipment delays at the port come from mismatched records.
Registration is the start. Here is how to keep your records clean.
Use the registered AD code and IEC details when filing at that port.
Make sure bank, IEC and GST details stay consistent across filings.
A new bank, branch or port needs its own AD code registration.
Check that your IEC details are up to date and the account still matches.
Quick answers on AD code registration in India.
An AD code (Authorised Dealer code) is a 14-character code issued by the authorised dealer bank that handles your foreign exchange transactions. Exporters register it at the customs port so that export documents and refunds can be linked to the right bank account.
For exports, Customs needs your bank's AD code to be registered at the port before you file shipping bills, because export-related refunds and incentives are credited to the linked bank account. Check the current requirement for your port before shipping.
Ask the branch where you hold your current account for an AD code letter. The bank issues it on its letterhead with the AD code, branch details and your account details. The bank's own process and timeline may differ.
After obtaining the bank letter, register the AD code against your IEC for the required port through ICEGATE, uploading the supporting documents. Customs then maps the AD code to your IEC at that port.
Typically the AD code letter from the bank, a copy of the IEC, PAN, GST registration, a cancelled cheque or bank details, and a signed authorisation letter. The exact list can vary by port, so we confirm it before filing.
Yes. The AD code is registered against your Importer-Exporter Code (IEC), which is issued by the DGFT. If you do not have an IEC yet, obtain it first.
Registration is port-wise. If you ship from more than one port or airport, the AD code is generally registered at each of those ports. Confirm the position for your ports before the shipment.
The new bank issues a fresh AD code, which must be registered at the port. Until the new AD code is registered, shipping bills and export refunds may be held up, so plan the change before your next shipment.
IEC is a 10-digit code from the DGFT that allows you to import or export. The AD code comes from your bank and links your export transactions at a customs port to your bank account. Exporters usually need both.
Cost depends on the number of ports and banks involved and on any charges by the bank. Our professional fee is quoted after a free call, and we share an itemised quote before you pay.
Planning to export or changed your bank? Speak to our expert today – the document check and the quote are free.
Tell us what you need and our team will get back to you with the right guidance.
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