Last updated: December 17th, 2019 3:48 PM

Types of Importers

Importer is any person or entity who imports or intends to import products or services into India. All importers are required to have an IE Code or Importer Exporter Code in India, unless exempted. In this article, we look at the different types of importers classification in India.

Actual User

Actual user is a person (either natural or legal) who is authorised to use imported goods in his/its own premises which has a definitive postal address. Actual user can be either industrial or non-industrial.

Actual User (Industrial)

Actual User (Industrial) means a person who utilises imported goods for manufacturing in his own industrial unit or manufacturing for his own use in another unit including a jobbing unit.

Actual User (Non-Industrial)

Actual User (Non-Industrial) means a person who utilises the imported goods for his own use in any commercial establishment carrying on any business, trade or profession or any laboratory, Scientific or Research and Development (R&D) institution, university or other educational institution or hospital or any service industry.

ANF-1 Profile of Importer or Exporter

ANF-1 contains the profile of the importer or exporter. IE Code holders are required to update the profile as and when a change takes place or atleast once in a year. Once updated, documents which are uploaded in the importer exporter profile are not required to be filed each time the importer or exporter applied for authorisation or scrips under different schemes like Merchandise Export from India Scheme (MEIS) or Service Export from India Scheme (SEIS).

Download Form ANF-1