Not Applying for Import and Export Rights = Wasting Money?

Mr. Cong has been troubled lately. The high-quality home goods produced by his factory were very popular at overseas exhibitions, but because he lacked import and export rights, he could only watch orders slip away. Mr. Cong cross-border e-commerce team faces a similar predicament – every shipment relies on a third-party agent, and profits are eroded layer by layer... How important are import and export rights? They are not only a "pass" for enterprises to internationalize but also key to reducing costs and enhancing competitiveness. Today, let's break down the complete process for enterprises to apply for import and export rights.

I. Why Must Enterprises Apply for Import and Export Rights?

According to data from the General Administration of Customs, in 2023, there were 645,000 foreign trade enterprises in China with import and export performance, of which private enterprises accounted for over 50%. Having self-operated import and export rights means:

• Directly receiving foreign currency payments, avoiding third-party agent fees for collection
• Independent customs declaration and clearance, improving logistics timeliness by over 30%
• Enjoying export tax rebate policies, with a maximum rebate of 13%
• Establishing an international credit system, facilitating overseas bank credit

II. 3 Hard Requirements Before Application

Zhongmaoda foreign trade experts remind that enterprises must meet the following basic conditions:

• The business scope in the business license includes "import and export" or "import and export of goods and technology"
• Tax registration has been completed and there are no abnormal business records
• Registered capital is recommended to be no less than 500,000 yuan (not mandatory but affects customs rating)

If the relevant business scope is missing, you need to apply for an amendment to the industrial and commercial department first, which usually takes 5-7 working days.

III. Complete the Entire Application Process in Six Steps

Step 1: Registration as a Foreign Trade Operator
Log in to the unified business system platform of the Ministry of Commerce, submit enterprise basic information, legal person documents, etc. The registration form can be obtained within 3 working days.

Step 2: Customs Registration
Register through the China International Trade "Single Window," and generate a 10-digit customs registration code, which is the "ID card" for future customs declarations.

Step 3: Application for Electronic Port Card
Bring your business license, company seal, and other materials to the local electronic port data center to apply for an IC card, which is used for digital customs clearance operations.

Step 4: Foreign Exchange Administration Registration
Open a foreign exchange account on the Foreign Exchange Administration's application service platform to obtain the qualifications for receiving and paying foreign exchange.

Step 5: Export Tax Rebate Qualification
Submit the application form for export tax rebate (exemption) qualification to the competent tax authority. Once approved, you can enjoy tax rebates.

Step 6: Inspection and Quarantine Registration (for special goods)
Goods involving food, cosmetics, etc., require additional enterprise registration for inspection and quarantine with the customs.

IV. Pitfall Avoidance Guide: Pitfalls That 90% of Enterprises Have Fallen Into

• Pitfall 1: Neglecting the Customs Annual Report (must be submitted by June 30th each year)
• Pitfall 2: Untimely reporting of foreign exchange receipts and payments (easily triggers bank risk control)
• Pitfall 3: Disorganized management of tax rebate documents (professional ERP systems are recommended)

A certain home goods enterprise was downgraded to Class C for failing to submit its annual customs report, resulting in every shipment requiring inspection, causing logistics costs to soar by 200%.

V. Maintenance is More Important Than Application

Obtaining import and export rights is just the beginning. Enterprises need to:

• Establish a dedicated international trade department or outsource to a professional agent
• Participate in regular Customs AEO certification training (to enjoy clearance convenience)
• Pay attention to preferential tariff policies from free trade agreements like RCEP

Is your enterprise ready to embrace the global market? Welcome to share your foreign trade stories in the comments section, or send a private message to get the full list of application materials for import and export rights. In the next issue, we will detail "How to Double Customs Clearance Speed Through AEO Certification," stay tuned!