Independent guide. Not a government website. We never charge for government services. Help
Govt LicenseBusiness licences and government documents in India
Log in / Sign up
  1. Home
  2. Import and Export
  3. Shimla

Import export business in Shimla

Start an import export business in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh: IEC code from DGFT, AD code, RCMC, GST LUT, plus the Municipal Corporation Shimla trade licence and Himachal Pradesh.

Official sources checked: 2 Oct 2026

An import export business in Shimla 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 Municipal Corporation Shimla and the registrations of Himachal Pradesh.

City body
Municipal Corporation Shimla
State
Himachal Pradesh
IEC fee (all cities)
₹500
DGFT, official

Local licences for a trading or export office in Shimla

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
Business licence (section 324, HP Municipal Corporation Act, 1994)Municipal Corporation Shimla₹200 or ₹300₹200 or ₹300
Shops and Establishments registrationLabour and Employment Department, Himachal Pradesh₹200 for up to 5 workers (To confirm)₹200 for up to 5 workers (To confirm)

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 Shimla for fees by business type.

What is different in Shimla

  • Issued each year by the Estate Branch of Municipal Corporation Shimla. The licence fee is by shop area: ₹200 up to 125 sq ft, ₹300 above. A plain paper application costs ₹5.
  • Submit Form 1 with the fee within 30 days of starting. Since the 2004 amendment the registration is valid for 5 years. Registration and renewal are online. Fee slabs below are from the department's published schedule as reported by the state portal and are To confirm.
  • Himachal Pradesh does not levy professional tax on businesses in our data.
  • To file an LUT you must hold a GST registration. The turnover limit for registering as a supplier of goods in Himachal Pradesh 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 Shimla Licence checklist for an import export business Retail shop licences in Shimla Office licences in Shimla Trade licence in Shimla Shops and Establishments in Himachal Pradesh Chapter-by-chapter guide Export to UAE Import from China

Common questions

Do I need a licence from the Municipal Corporation Shimla to run an import export business in Shimla?
Yes, a trade licence applies in most cases. For an office or agency the fee in our data is ₹200 or ₹300.
Do I need an IEC if my office is in Shimla?
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 Himachal Pradesh?
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 Himachal Pradesh charge professional tax?
Himachal Pradesh does not levy professional tax on businesses in our data.
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 Shimla, checked 27 Sep 2026.