An import is any good or service brought in from one country to another country in a legitimate way for use in trade. It means that import is to bring in the goods and services into the port of a country from another country. The buyer of such goods and services is known as an "importer" who is based in the country of import whereas the overseas seller is an exporter. Goods that is brought in from another country for sale are provided to domestic consumers by foreign producers is an import in the receiving country, it is an export to the sending country.

The same method of export has to be followed for import also. Both the parties viz, the buyer and the seller compulsorily be registered and should posses I.E.Code number and the same formalities to be followed for import also

A citizen or a company starting a business for International trade has to Register the Company with the Director of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Foreign Trade, to obtain an IE Code number, then only one can export materials to other countries and import materials from other countries to India.

Before 1997, it is essential to obtain this I.E Code number from the Reserve Bank of India, for every first time exporter for his export operations. Later, this work being done by Director General of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Foreign Trade, Govt.of India.

DGFT provides every exporter an unique Import Export Code Number. IE Code Number is a ten digits code required for the purpose of export as well as import. No exporter is allowed to export his goods abroad without IEC number.