Do You Really Know How to Handle the Right to Engage in Import and Export Trade?

Under the wave of economic globalization, more and more enterprises are eager to step into the field of import and export trade to expand a broader market. However, handling the right to engage in import and export trade is the first step to open this door to global business. Today, let's take a deep dive together into the specific process of handling the right to engage in import and export trade, paving a solid path for your trade journey.

To handle the right to engage in import and export trade, an enterprise must first ensure that it has a legal and compliant operating foundation. This means that the enterprise should possess a valid business license, and its business scope should include items related to import and export. If the business scope of the business license does not cover such items, it is necessary to promptly carry out the change of registration. Take Mr. Zhang's company as an example. Initially, its business license only focused on domestic trade. When it decided to enter the import and export field, it immediately went to the industrial and commercial department to handle the change of the business scope.

In addition, the enterprise also needs to complete tax registration, file tax returns in accordance with the law, and maintain a good tax record. At the same time, it is necessary to open a basic corporate bank account for subsequent foreign exchange settlement and other businesses.

After completing the preliminary preparations, the enterprise needs to carry out the record-filing and registration of foreign trade operators. The enterprise can log in to the official website of the local competent commercial department, fill in the Record-filing and Registration Form of Foreign Trade Operators online, with the content covering basic enterprise information, legal representative information, etc. After filling it out and confirming that it is correct, submit the application and upload relevant electronic materials as required, such as a scanned copy of the duplicate of the business license.

The competent commercial department will review the materials after receiving the application. If the review is passed, the enterprise can go to the designated place to collect the Record-filing and Registration Form of Foreign Trade Operators. Ms. Li's enterprise successfully passed the review within 3 working days after submitting the application and obtained the record-filing and registration form, laying a foundation for the subsequent processes.

After obtaining the Record-filing and Registration Form of Foreign Trade Operators, the enterprise needs to carry out customs record-filing. The enterprise needs to log in to the China International Trade Single Window, enter the "Enterprise Qualifications" section, and select "Customs Enterprise Registration and Record-filing" to apply. During this process, it is necessary to fill in the detailed information of the enterprise, customs declaration information, etc., and upload relevant documents, such as the Record-filing and Registration Form of Foreign Trade Operators, the articles of association of the enterprise, etc.

The customs will conduct a strict review of the information and documents submitted by the enterprise. After passing the review, the enterprise will obtain a customs code, which is the "identity identifier" of the enterprise in the customs, and all businesses such as goods import and export customs declaration will be based on this.

The enterprise also needs to handle the formalities of accessing the e-Port network. The enterprise needs to go to the local e-Port data center, submit relevant materials, such as a photocopy of the duplicate of the business license, a photocopy of the Record-filing and Registration Form of Foreign Trade Operators, etc., and apply for the corporate legal person card and the operator card. These two cards are like the "keys" of the enterprise in the e-Port, used to log in to the e-Port system to realize functions such as online customs declaration, inspection application, and application for verification forms.

After completing the above steps, the enterprise has basically completed the handling process of the right to engage in import and export trade. However, it should be noted that subsequently, it is also necessary to carry out annual reports and other work on time in accordance with relevant regulations to maintain the validity of the right to engage in import and export trade.

Although the process of handling the right to engage in import and export trade is complicated, each step is crucial. It is not only the admission ticket for enterprises to enter the international market, but also an important opportunity for enterprises to expand their business territory and enhance their competitiveness. It is hoped that all enterprise operators will take active actions, steadily promote according to the process, and shine on the broad stage of global trade.