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Hisho & Kanri
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AD Code Registration

Unlock customs clearance at every port you ship through.

AD Code Registration is the process of registering your bank-issued Authorised Dealer Code with Indian Customs at each port, airport, ICD, or SEZ you export or import through. It links your current account to your shipping bills on ICEGATE, so customs knows exactly where duty drawback, GST refunds, and export incentives should be credited.

Without a port-wise AD Code registration, a shipping bill simply cannot be filed at that port — your consignment sits in customs limbo while refunds stall. Get it registered correctly the first time, at every port you use, and your exports move without last-minute holdups, which is exactly why growing exporters bring in specialists instead of chasing bank branches and customs houses on their own.

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0AD Codes Registered
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Indian Customs · ICEGATE

AD Code Registration

Registered under the Customs Act, 1962
AD Code0361XXXX14
IECLinked
PortChennai Sea
BankAuthorised Dealer
StatusActive
Filed ByHisho & Kanri
AD Code activated at port
At a Glance

From bank letter to port activation, in one continuous flow

AD Code registration moves through four checkpoints. Each one has to clear before the next can begin — here's the whole journey in one view.

1

IEC Verification

Import Export Code checked & matched to your bank

2

Bank AD Code Letter

Issued on the bank's official letterhead

3

ICEGATE Port Filing

Registered against your chosen port or ICD

4

Customs Activation

AD Code goes live for shipping bill filing

Registration Types

Which AD Code registration does your shipment need?

Your AD Code is only active where it's been registered. Here's every port and channel type we register it against, at a glance.

Port-Wise AD Code Registration

The standard registration, filed with the customs house at each seaport you ship containers through.

Most Popular

ICEGATE AD Code Registration

The fully digital route through the ICEGATE e-Sanchit portal, using your Class 3 DSC for authentication.

Multi-Port AD Code Registration

Parallel registration across several ports for exporters shipping from more than one location.

SEZ / FTWZ AD Code Registration

Registration for units operating out of Special Economic Zones or Free Trade Warehousing Zones.

Air Cargo Complex AD Code

Registration filed with the Air Cargo Complex for exporters and importers moving goods by air freight.

ICD / Inland Container Depot

Registration for businesses routing containers through an inland container depot before the gateway port.

Courier & Foreign Post Office

Registration for shipments cleared through courier terminals or foreign post offices, common for D2C exporters.

AD Code Modification

Re-registration triggered by a bank change, new current account, or corrected bank details on an existing port.

The Process

From bank letter to activation, in eight steps

Here's exactly what happens between requesting your AD Code letter and being able to file a shipping bill at your chosen port.

1

IEC & Bank Account Check

We verify your Import Export Code and confirm it matches the current account held with your Authorised Dealer bank.

2

AD Code Letter Request

We coordinate with your bank branch to issue the AD Code letter on official letterhead, addressed to Customs.

3

Digital Signature Setup

A Class 3 DSC is arranged or verified, required to authenticate your filing on the ICEGATE portal.

4

ICEGATE Registration

Your business is registered or authenticated on ICEGATE, the gateway used for all electronic customs filings.

5

Port-Wise AD Code Filing

The AD Code letter and supporting documents are submitted against the specific port, ICD, or air cargo complex you'll use.

6

Customs Document Verification

The customs house cross-checks your IEC, GST, and bank details before clearing the registration for activation.

7

AD Code Activation

Once approved, your AD Code goes live at that port and is visible against your IEC on the customs system.

8

Shipping Bill Filing Enabled

You're now able to file shipping bills at that port, with refunds and drawback routed straight to your registered account.

Eligibility

Who can register an AD Code?

Requirements are largely uniform across ports, but every registration is checked against the same baseline conditions before activation.

Valid Import Export Code

An active IEC issued by DGFT, matching the entity applying for AD Code registration.

Active Current Account

A current account with an Authorised Dealer bank, in the same entity name as the IEC.

GST Registration

A valid GSTIN where applicable, matching the PAN used on the IEC and bank account.

No Pending Customs Defaults

No unresolved customs violations or blacklisting against the entity or its directors/partners.

Valid Business Registration

A lawfully registered business entity — company, LLP, partnership, or proprietorship — as reflected in IEC records.

Digital Signature Certificate

A Class 3 DSC in the name of an authorised signatory, required for ICEGATE filings.

Paperwork

Documents you'll need to keep handy

Gathering these upfront is the single biggest thing you can do to speed up bank issuance and port-wise activation.

AD Code Letter

Issued on the bank's official letterhead

IEC Certificate

Valid Import Export Code from DGFT

GST Certificate

Registration certificate, where applicable

PAN Card

Of the business or applying entity

Cancelled Cheque

Or a bank certificate confirming account details

Board Resolution

Or authorisation letter for the signatory

Class 3 DSC

Digital signature for ICEGATE filing

KYC Documents

Identity & address proof of the signatory

Why It's Worth It

What AD Code registration actually buys you

Beyond the compliance checkbox, a correctly registered AD Code changes how smoothly your shipments move and how fast your money comes back.

Enables Shipping Bill Filing

No shipping bill can be filed at a port without an active AD Code

Faster Customs Clearance

Pre-verified bank linkage removes a common cause of hold-ups

Direct Duty Drawback Credit

Export incentives are routed straight to your registered account

GST Refund Linkage

IGST and input tax refunds process against the same AD Code

Multi-Port Flexibility

Register once per port and ship from any of them going forward

Reduced Shipment Delays

Fewer surprises at the customs counter when everything's pre-linked

Full ICEGATE Compliance

Registration aligned with the electronic customs filing system

Long-Term Export Readiness

A clean AD Code record supports every future shipment and port

After Registration

Staying compliant, shipment after shipment

Registration is the start, not the finish — here's what keeps your AD Code active and trouble-free across every port you use.

Bank Account Change Update

A new current account or bank switch requires a fresh AD Code letter and re-registration at every active port.

New Port Registration

Expanding to a new port, ICD, or air cargo complex means registering the AD Code there separately before shipping.

Annual KYC Refresh

Periodic KYC updates with your Authorised Dealer bank to keep the linkage verified and active.

DSC Renewal

Class 3 Digital Signature Certificates expire and must be renewed to keep ICEGATE filings uninterrupted.

IEC Modification Sync

Any change to your IEC details should be reflected in your AD Code records to avoid mismatches at customs.

Entity/Address Change Intimation

A change in registered business address or entity details must be intimated to the bank and customs promptly.

Why Hisho & Kanri

Registration handled by people who do this daily

We've registered AD Codes across dozens of ports and customs houses to know exactly where bank letters and ICEGATE filings usually stall — and how to keep yours moving.

Trade & Customs Specialists

Consultants who work with ICEGATE, IEC, and AD Code filings every week.

Faster Port Activation

Documentation prepared to avoid the mismatches that most commonly delay activation.

Transparent Pricing

Clear per-port packages with no hidden bank or customs surprises.

Full Visibility

You see every filing and status update, not just a final activation notice.

Dedicated Support

One point of contact from your bank letter through every port you add.

Secure Documentation

Your bank, IEC, and identity documents handled under strict confidentiality.

FAQ

Common questions about AD Code Registration

Can't find your question here? Use the form alongside this page and we'll answer it directly.

It's a 14-digit Authorised Dealer Code issued by your bank, identifying the branch through which your foreign exchange transactions are routed.

Yes, you cannot file a shipping bill at any port without an AD Code registered there, making it a mandatory step before your first export shipment.

Yes, an AD Code is port-specific — you'll need a fresh registration for each seaport, airport, ICD, or SEZ you plan to ship from.

Typically 2 to 5 working days per port once the bank letter and documents are ready, though it can vary by customs house workload.

ICEGATE is the customs department's electronic filing portal — your AD Code is registered against it so shipping bills can be filed digitally at each port.

No, the IEC identifies your business as an importer or exporter, while the AD Code identifies the bank branch handling your foreign exchange — both are required, and they must be linked.

The bank's AD Code letter, IEC certificate, GST certificate, and PAN are the core set — see the Documents section above for the full list.

You'll need a fresh AD Code letter from the new bank and must re-register it at every port where the old code was active.

Your shipping bill gets rejected at filing, holding up the consignment at customs and delaying any duty drawback or GST refund tied to that shipment.

Because we coordinate with banks and customs houses across ports every week, keep you informed at every filing stage, and stay on to add new ports as you scale.