How to Apply
How to Apply for AD Code Registration at Customs
ICEGATE AD code registration. Bank letter format, customs station selection, multiple AD codes, EDPMS linkage.
By Aaryan Kakani · · 7 min read
What Is AD Code and Why Does Every Exporter Need It?
AD Code stands for Authorised Dealer Code. It is a 14-digit unique code assigned by your bank (an RBI-authorised dealer of foreign exchange) that identifies your bank account in customs and RBI systems. Think of it as the bridge between your export shipments and the bank account where you receive foreign currency payments.
When you file a shipping bill on ICEGATE, customs records which AD Code (bank account) the export proceeds should flow into. RBI's EDPMS then monitors whether the payment actually arrives within the 9-month repatriation deadline under FEMA. Without a registered AD Code at your customs station, the system will not let you file a shipping bill at all.
AD Code registration is a one-time process per bank account per customs station. Once registered and approved, it remains valid until you change your bank account or the bank revokes it. There is no renewal or annual fee involved.
Prerequisites
Before you begin the AD Code registration process, make sure you have the following in place.
- Valid IEC (Importer Exporter Code). Your IEC must be active and updated on the DGFT portal. If your IEC is suspended or not updated with the latest annual return, AD Code registration will be blocked. See our IEC application guide if you do not have one yet.
- Bank account with an AD Category bank. Your bank must be an RBI-authorised dealer of foreign exchange (AD Category I or II). All major banks (SBI, HDFC, ICICI, Axis, Kotak, IndusInd, Yes Bank) are AD Category I banks. Some co-operative banks and small finance banks are not AD authorised and cannot issue an AD Code.
- Current account in the entity's name. The bank account must be a current account held in the same name as the IEC holder (company, firm, or proprietor). Personal savings accounts are not accepted.
- ICEGATE registration. You need an active ICEGATE login to submit the AD Code registration online. If you do not have one, register at icegate.gov.in using your IEC and PAN.
- Customs station identified. Know which customs station(s) you will export from. AD Code registration is station-specific. You need to register separately at each station. Common stations: JNCH (Nhava Sheva), ACC Mumbai Air, ICD Tughlakabad, Chennai Sea, Mundra, Pipavav.
Step-by-Step Registration Process
The entire process involves two stages: getting the AD Code letter from your bank, and then registering it on ICEGATE for customs approval.
Get the AD Code Letter from Your Bank
Visit your bank branch where you hold the current account and request an "AD Code letter for customs registration." The bank will issue a letter on their official letterhead containing the following details:
| Detail | Example |
|---|---|
| AD Code (14 digits) | 0510040012345 |
| Bank name | HDFC Bank Ltd |
| Branch name and address | Fort Branch, Mumbai 400001 |
| IFSC code | HDFC0000051 |
| Account number | 50200012345678 |
| Account holder name | ABC Exports Pvt Ltd |
| IEC number of the exporter | 0312345678 |
| SWIFT/BIC code | HDFCINBBXXX |
Login to ICEGATE Portal
Go to icegate.gov.in and log in using your ICEGATE credentials (IEC-linked login). If you have a Digital Signature Certificate (DSC) registered, you can use DSC-based login for faster access.
Navigate to AD Code Registration
After login, go to Services > AD Code Registration (under the "Exporter Services" section). Some ICEGATE versions show this under My Menu > AD Code > AD Code Registration . Click "New Registration" to start.
Fill in Bank Details
Enter the following details exactly as they appear on your bank's AD Code letter. Any mismatch will result in rejection.
- · AD Code. The 14-digit code from the bank letter
- · IFSC Code. 11-character code (verify against RBI's IFSC directory; branches merge and IFSC codes change)
- · Bank Account Number. Current account number as on the letter
- · Bank Name and Branch. Must match exactly, including "Ltd" or "Limited"
Upload the AD Code Letter from Bank
Upload a clear scanned copy of the AD Code letter in PDF format (max file size is usually 2 MB). The scan must show the bank letterhead, all details legibly, and the authorised signatory's stamp and signature. Colour scans are preferred. If your bank provided a digitally signed letter, upload the original PDF with the embedded digital signature intact.
Select Customs Station(s)
Choose the customs station(s) where you want to register this AD Code. You can select multiple stations in a single submission. Common stations include:
| Station Code | Station Name | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| INNSA1 | JNCH Nhava Sheva | Sea |
| INBOM4 | ACC Mumbai Air Cargo | Air |
| INDEL4 | ICD Tughlakabad, Delhi | ICD |
| INMAA1 | Chennai Sea Port | Sea |
| INMUN1 | Mundra Port | Sea |
| INPAV6 | Pipavav Port | Sea |
| INBLR4 | Bangalore Air Cargo | Air |
| INCCU1 | Kolkata Sea Port | Sea |
Each station processes the approval independently, so approval at one station does not automatically cover another. Select all stations you plan to export from.
Submit and Wait for Customs Officer Approval
After submission, the request goes to the customs officer at each selected station for verification and approval. The typical timeline is:
- · 2-3 working days at major ports during non-peak periods (JNCH, Chennai)
- · 5-7 working days at smaller stations or during peak filing season (March, September)
You can check the status on ICEGATE under Services > AD Code > Status . Once approved, the AD Code appears as "Active" and you can immediately use it in shipping bills filed at that station.
Multiple AD Codes
Exporters often need more than one AD Code registered. Common scenarios include:
Multiple Bank Accounts
If you receive export proceeds in different banks (e.g., HDFC for USD receipts and SBI for EUR receipts), you need a separate AD Code from each bank. Register both on ICEGATE at your customs station. When filing a shipping bill, you select which AD Code to use based on the bank where you expect payment.
Multiple Customs Stations
If you export from both Mumbai sea port and Delhi air cargo, the same AD Code must be registered at both stations separately. You can do this in one ICEGATE submission by selecting multiple stations, or submit separate requests.
Multiple Branches of the Same Bank
If you hold current accounts at different branches of the same bank, each branch will have a different AD Code (since the AD Code includes the branch identifier). Each one needs separate registration.
AD Code Change Process
If you are switching banks or closing an existing bank account, you need to register the new AD Code and manage the transition carefully.
- Get a new AD Code letter from the new bank (same process as Step 1 above).
- Register the new AD Code on ICEGATE at all your customs stations. Do this before you stop using the old account.
- Wait for approval at each station (3-7 days).
- Start using the new AD Code in fresh shipping bills once approved.
- Keep the old bank account active until all pending EDPMS entries against the old AD Code are closed. This means all export proceeds for shipments filed under the old AD Code must be received and matched before you close the old account.
Common Issues and Rejections
AD Code registration is straightforward, but these issues cause most rejections and delays.
| Issue | Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong IFSC code | Bank branch merged or IFSC changed; old IFSC entered | Verify current IFSC on RBI website. Get a fresh bank letter with the updated IFSC. |
| Bank letter format rejected | Letter not on original letterhead, missing stamp, or photocopy uploaded | Get original letter with authorised signatory stamp. Scan in colour, upload as PDF. |
| Customs station mismatch | Selected wrong station code, or station does not handle your cargo type | Verify station code matches your export mode (sea/air/ICD). Resubmit with correct station. |
| Name mismatch | Company name on bank letter differs from IEC (e.g., "Pvt Ltd" vs "Private Limited") | Get bank to reissue letter with exact name as on IEC certificate. |
| IEC not active | IEC suspended due to non-filing of annual update or DGFT action | File the IEC annual update on DGFT portal first, then reattempt AD Code registration. |
| Duplicate registration | AD Code already registered at the same station (previous attempt approved) | Check existing registrations under AD Code > Status on ICEGATE. No action needed if already active. |
AD Code vs AD Bank. Clarifying the Difference
These two terms are used interchangeably in casual conversation, but they mean different things in the compliance context.
| AD Bank (Authorised Dealer Bank) | AD Code (Authorised Dealer Code) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | An RBI-licensed bank authorised to deal in foreign exchange under FEMA | A 14-digit code assigned by the bank identifying your specific account for customs |
| Who issues it | RBI grants the AD licence to the bank | The bank assigns the code to the exporter's account |
| Scope | Bank-level licence covering all branches and customers | Account-level identifier specific to one exporter and one branch |
| Exporter action | Choose a bank that has AD Category I/II status | Get the code from bank, register it at customs via ICEGATE |
| Renewal | Bank manages its own RBI licence renewal | No renewal needed; valid until bank revokes or you change accounts |
Impact on EDPMS and eBRC
Your AD Code is the glue that connects three critical systems: customs shipping bills, RBI's EDPMS, and your bank's forex inward remittance records. Understanding this linkage helps you avoid compliance issues down the line.
Shipping Bill to EDPMS
When customs processes your shipping bill, an EDPMS entry is automatically created in RBI's system against your AD Code. This entry records the FOB value, currency, and the 9-month deadline for receiving payment. Your bank sees this entry in their EDPMS portal. Learn more in our FEMA 9-month repatriation guide.
Bank Matching via AD Code
When your overseas buyer sends payment, the receiving bank matches the inward remittance to open EDPMS entries using the AD Code. If the AD Code on the shipping bill does not match the account where the money arrives, the entry stays unmatched and eventually triggers a caution-list alert.
eBRC Generation
Once your bank confirms payment receipt against an EDPMS entry, it generates an electronic Bank Realisation Certificate (eBRC). You need the eBRC to claim export incentives like RoDTEP, Advance Authorisation closure, and EPCG obligation fulfilment. A wrong AD Code breaks this entire chain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Update history
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