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Import export business in Patna

Start an import export business in Patna, Bihar: IEC code from DGFT, AD code, RCMC, GST LUT, plus the Patna Municipal Corporation trade licence and Bihar registrations. Local.

Official sources checked: 2 Oct 2026

An import export business in Patna needs two layers of registration. The first layer is national and the same in every city: an IEC from DGFT, an AD code on ICEGATE, an RCMC for your product and a GST LUT. The second layer is local: the trade licence from the Patna Municipal Corporation and the registrations of Bihar.

City body
Patna Municipal Corporation
State
Bihar
IEC fee (all cities)
₹500
DGFT, official

Local licences for a trading or export office in Patna

Fees from our licence data for a small business. The first column is an office or agency, the second a retail or trading shop with stock.

LicenceIssued byOffice or agencyRetail or trading shop
Municipal licence (trade licence), PMCPatna Municipal CorporationUp to ₹2,500Up to ₹2,500
Shops and Establishments registrationLabour Resources Department, Bihar₹5 up to 2 staff, ₹10 for 3 to 5, ₹20 for 6 to 10 (1955 Rules)₹5 up to 2 staff, ₹10 for 3 to 5, ₹20 for 6 to 10 (1955 Rules)
Professional Tax (Bihar Tax on Professions, Trades, Callings and Employments Act, 2011)Commercial Taxes Department, BiharBased on annual gross income: nil up to ₹3 lakh, ₹1,000 above ₹3 lakh, ₹2,000 above ₹5 lakh, ₹2,500 above ₹10 lakh (maximum ₹2,500 a year)Based on annual gross income: nil up to ₹3 lakh, ₹1,000 above ₹3 lakh, ₹2,000 above ₹5 lakh, ₹2,500 above ₹10 lakh (maximum ₹2,500 a year)

Fees and rules change and can differ between offices. Confirm the fee on the official portal before you pay. Open the trade licence page for Patna for fees by business type.

What is different in Patna

  • Issued under s.342 (Chapter XXXVII, Municipal Licence) of the Bihar Municipal Act 2007.
  • Under the 1953 Act every shop and establishment registers with the District Labour Superintendent; the replacement 2025 Act (10 or more workers only) never came into force and was repealed on 1 Jun 2026.
  • Bihar levies professional tax. Employers deduct from September salary and deposit by 15 November; annual return by 30 November. Employer registration and self-employed enrolment within 7 days of becoming liable.
  • To file an LUT you must hold a GST registration. The turnover limit for registering as a supplier of goods in Bihar is ₹40 lakh in our data, but exporters who want to ship without paying IGST register earlier so that they can file the LUT.

National steps, same in every city

  1. IEC code from DGFT. Fee ₹500.
  2. AD code on ICEGATE with your bank.
  3. RCMC from your product's council.
  4. GST LUT each financial year.
  5. Certificate of origin when the buyer needs one.

Go deeper

Start an export business Import goods into India Full licence list: import export business in Patna Licence checklist for an import export business Retail shop licences in Patna Office licences in Patna Trade licence in Patna Shops and Establishments in Bihar Chapter-by-chapter guide Export to UAE Import from China

Common questions

Do I need a licence from the Patna Municipal Corporation to run an import export business in Patna?
Yes, a trade licence applies in most cases. For an office or agency the fee in our data is Up to ₹2,500.
Do I need an IEC if my office is in Patna?
Yes. The IEC is issued by DGFT for all of India and costs ₹500. You apply online, so your city does not change the process.
Where is the DGFT office for Bihar?
You apply online on the DGFT portal. DGFT's regional authority for your state handles matters that need an officer, such as cancellation of a numeric IEC.
Does Bihar charge professional tax?
Bihar levies professional tax. Employers deduct from September salary and deposit by 15 November; annual return by 30 November. Employer registration and self-employed enrolment within 7 days of becoming liable.
Is Govt License a government website?
No. Govt License is an independent guide. We link to the official government portals where you apply and pay. Always confirm the fee on the portal before paying.

Official sources for this page

City fees come from the Govt License licence data for Patna, checked 27 Sep 2026.