5 Major Pitfalls in Handling Import and Export Rights, Which 90% of Enterprises Have Fallen Into!

"Mr. Lou recently received an overseas order but was forced to give it up due to lacking import and export rights!" "Mr. Lou factory has excellent product quality, but it's stuck on export qualifications and unable to expand into the international market..." Such stories are happening every day. Import and export rights are like an "international permit" for enterprises, but the application process deters many. This article will break down the entire process of handling import and export rights in 2018 in the most straightforward language.

Why Do Enterprises Need to Handle Import and Export Rights?

With the continuous release of cross-border e-commerce policy dividends in 2018, enterprises with import and export rights can enjoy three core advantages:

• Direct participation in international trade, reducing intermediate link costs
• Independent declaration and tax refund, improving capital turnover efficiency by over 30%
• Eligibility for government subsidies, with rewards up to 100,000 yuan in some regions

Zhongmaoda foreign trade experts point out: "Enterprises without import and export rights pay an average of 15%-20% extra costs through export agents."

Four Steps for Handling in 2018

Step 1: Industrial and Commercial Business Scope Extension
Required documents: Original business license, company seal, copy of legal representative's ID card. The new regulations in 2018 require the business scope to explicitly include "import and export of goods" or "import and export of technology." The processing time is about 3 working days.

Step 2: Foreign Trade Operator Filing
Submit online through the unified business system platform of the Ministry of Commerce:

• Foreign Trade Operator Filing Registration Form
• Copy of Business License (stamped with company seal)
• Scanned images of the legal representative's ID card (front and back)

Electronic approval has been fully implemented since 2018, and the filing form can be downloaded after approval.

Step 3: Customs Registration and Electronic Port Card
Bring the filing form to the local customs office for handling:

• Obtain a 10-digit customs code
• Apply for an Electronic Port IC card (fee reduced to 500 yuan/set in 2018)
• Activate access to the China Electronic Port system

Step 4: Foreign Exchange Administration Filing
Finally, open foreign exchange account privileges at the Administration of Foreign Exchange and submit:

• Application Form for Registration in the List of Enterprises Engaged in Trade in Goods and Services Foreign Exchange Receipts and Payments
• Original and copy of the business license
• Customs Declaration Unit Registration Certificate

Three Major Policy Changes in 2018

Compared to previous years, the handling process in 2018 has been significantly optimized:

• Cancellation of capital verification report requirement, no limit on registered capital
• Expansion of the pilot program for "one-stop handling" of foreign trade filing and industrial and commercial registration
• Electronic port annual fee reduction and exemption policy extended to 2020

Pitfall Avoidance Guide: Pitfalls Encountered by 90% of Enterprises

According to Zhongmaoda's service case library, common issues include:

• Omitting "technology import and export" in the business scope, leading to inability to export software services
• Delayed customs declaration due to untimely activation of the Electronic Port IC card
• Receiving overseas deposits before foreign exchange account registration leading to frozen accounts by the bank

It is recommended that small and medium-sized enterprises choose professional agencies for full process follow-up, which can shorten the processing cycle by an average of 40%.

Is Your Enterprise Suitable for Handling Now?

Take a quick test:

• Do you intend to receive overseas orders in the next 3 years?
• Does your current profit margin exceed 15% (enough to cover additional costs)?
• Are you planning to apply for qualifications such as High-Tech Enterprise?

If the answer to any of these is "yes," it is recommended to start the application process immediately. There are less than 4 months left in 2018, and acting now can still catch the policy window period by the end of the year.