The company plans to engage in import and export agency business and asks about the required conditions, including qualifications and procedural requirements. The best answer points out that generally, one needs to be legally registered with a business license covering relevant businesses, complete customs filing, register with the foreign exchange income and expenditure directory, obtain an electronic port card, and possess special permits for specific goods.
Do Import and Export Agencies Need Qualifications? Come and Find Out!
Resolved
I'm planning to get involved in the import and export agency business recently, but I'm not quite sure if I need to apply for qualifications. Some people around me say it's a must, otherwise, I can't conduct business formally, while others say it's not necessary in certain situations. I'd like to ask, do import and export agencies really need qualifications? If so, what are the qualification requirements? If not, under what circumstances can I avoid applying? I hope a professional can answer this. Thank you!
Trade Expert Insights Answers
Import and export agencies generally need to apply for qualifications. Firstly, import and export operating rights are the basic qualifications. Only when a company obtains this qualification can it have the legal right to conduct import and export business. When applying, you generally need to prepare the original and copy of the business license, the original and copy of the organization code certificate, and other materials, and apply to the relevant departments according to the prescribed procedures.
Secondly, customs registration is also indispensable, as it enables the company to handle customs declaration and other procedures. When applying, you need to submit documents such as the registration form for customs declaration units.
In addition, if you are involved in the import and export of specific goods, such as food, medical devices, etc., you will also need to apply for corresponding special qualifications, such as a food business license or a medical device business license. In summary, to ensure that the business is conducted legally and compliantly, applying for relevant qualifications is very necessary.
Generally, qualifications are required. For example, customs and inspection declaration qualifications are often needed. Without these qualifications, some customs and inspection declaration businesses will be restricted, and the import and export process of goods will also be inconvenient.
If you are only helping clients with simple tasks such as document organization and communication, and not involved in actual goods import and export operations, you might not need to apply for all qualifications for now, but it's better to have them in the long run.
For cross-border e-commerce import and export agencies, in addition to basic import and export operating rights, they may also need to meet certain qualification requirements of e-commerce platforms, which vary depending on the platform.
If you are engaged in import and export agency and involved in international freight forwarding, you also need to consider applying for international freight forwarding qualifications, otherwise, business operations may be hindered.
If the products you are representing involve endangered species or other special items, you will definitely need to obtain a special permit, otherwise it is illegal.
Although applying for qualifications can be troublesome, it helps to establish a formal company image and attract clients. It is better to have them for long-term business operations.
In some special zones, such as bonded zones, the qualification requirements for import and export agencies may differ from those outside the zones, and need to be understood separately.
If the goods you are representing require inspection and quarantine, you must have the corresponding inspection and quarantine qualifications for the goods to pass customs smoothly.