What is an Authorized Dealer (AD) Code?
An Authorized Dealer (AD) Code is a 14-digit unique numeric identification issued by authorized dealer commercial banks under the supervision of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). It identifies the specific bank branch through which an exporter processes international foreign exchange transactions and receives inward export remittances.
Registering the AD Code with Indian Customs is a statutory prerequisite under the Indian Customs Act. Without an approved AD Code registration on the Indian Customs Electronic Gateway (ICEGATE), customs authorities cannot generate a Shipping Bill (SB) for export consignments.
Why Bank IFSC Registration is Required
In addition to the 14-digit AD Code, the exporter's bank account IFSC must be registered and verified on ICEGATE. This registration enables:
- Direct electronic crediting of Customs Duty Drawback (DBK) rebates into the exporter's current account.
- Accrual and activation of electronic duty credit ledgers under the Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) and RoSCTL schemes.
- Automated reconciliation with the RBI's Export Data Processing and Monitoring System (EDPMS).
Multi-Port Customs Port Registration
An AD Code must be registered for every specific customs port location from which your enterprise exports goods. For example, an exporter in Gujarat dispatching goods through multiple sea ports and inland container depots must register their AD code at each respective Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) location:
| Customs Gateway | Port EDI Code | Gateway Type |
|---|---|---|
| Mundra Sea Port | INMUN1 | Major Sea Port |
| Nhava Sheva (JNPT), Mumbai | INNSA1 | Major Container Terminal |
| Ahmedabad Air Cargo Complex | INAMD4 | Air Cargo Gateway |
| Hazira Port, Surat | INHZR1 | Container Port |
| ICD Sabarmati / Khodiyar | INSBI6 / INKHD6 | Inland Container Depot |
Prerequisite Documentation
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Bank AD Code Letter: Official authorization letter on bank letterhead in the prescribed customs Annexure-A format, signed by the branch manager with employee code and bank seal.
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Cancelled Cheque: Clear original cheque leaf showing the company's printed name, account number, and IFSC code.
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Active IEC & GSTIN: Directorate General of Foreign Trade IEC copy and active GST registration certificate.
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Class 3 DSC Token: Organizational digital signature certificate registered on ICEGATE 2.0 to digitally authenticate the port submission.
Role of Ocean Technovative
Ocean Technovative provides standard bank draft letters for your branch manager, validates account parameters against customs portal databases, files online AD Code and IFSC applications through the ICEGATE 2.0 electronic interface, and tracks approval with the respective Port Customs EDI section.
Port Verification Notice: Following online submission on ICEGATE, the respective port customs commissionerate validates bank signatures before approving the port code. Ocean Technovative tracks submission progress to resolve any bank validation queries.