Import and Export Operating Rights: Unexpectedly Becoming a Company’s Biggest Weakness?

"Mr. Chen has been troubled recently. His own high-quality handicrafts have gained some renown in the domestic market, but customers always ask, 'Can these be exported overseas?' It was then that he realized what was missing wasn't orders, but a piece ofimport and export operating rights." Have you also encountered a similar situation? Today, we're going to talk about this "passport" that enables companies to enter the international market.

What are Import and Export Operating Rights?

Simply put, import and export operating rights are the qualifications for an enterprise to legally engage in import and export trade. Possessing them means you can:

• Directly sign contracts with overseas clients
• Independently handle customs declarations, tax refunds, and other procedures
• Establish an international supply chain system

It is worth noting that since 2019, China has fully implemented the cancellation offoreign trade operator filing and registration. Companies only need to complete business registration to automatically obtain import and export qualifications, significantly lowering the threshold.

Detailed Application Process

Although policies have been relaxed, the following key steps still need to be completed in practice:

• Business Scope Expansion: Adding "import and export of goods" or "import and export of technology" to the business license's scope of business
• Customs Registration: Registering through the "Single Window" to obtain a 10-digit customs code
• Foreign Exchange Registration: Opening a foreign currency account at a bank and completing registration with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange
• e-Port Card: Applying for an IC card device used for customs declarations

Mr. Chen case is very typical: her food processing factory took only two weeks from submitting materials to completing all procedures, and now its monthly export value through cross-border e-commerce has exceeded 200,000 US dollars.

Guide to Avoiding Common Pitfalls

In practice, we have identified three common errors:

• Believing that "a business license alone allows direct export" (actual need for separate registration)
• Ignoring certification requirements of the product's destination country (e.g., EU CE, US FDA)
• Failing to plan tax refund schemes in advance (tax refund rates for different goods can vary by up to 13%)

Special reminder: Zhongmaoda and other professional agencies can providefull-process agency services, improving efficiency by over 60% compared to companies handling it themselves.

Is Your Company Ready to "Go Global"?

You might as well use this simple checklist for self-assessment:

• Is the domestic market share tending towards saturation?
• Do your products meet international standards?
• Does your team have basic English communication skills?
• Can you withstand a 3-6 month payment collection cycle?

If you meet more than two items, perhaps it's time to consider strategizing for the international market. After all, in an era of globalization,companies that do not actively venture abroad risk being swept away by the global tide.

Recommended Actions

After reading this article, you can:

• Immediately check your business license's scope of business
• Bookmark the official website of the "International Trade Single Window"
• Leave a comment to share your foreign trade concerns

Remember: import and export operating rights are not the end, but the starting point for enterprise internationalization. Will the next Chinese brand to shine brilliantly in overseas markets be yours?