You'll suffer a great loss if you don't apply for the import and export right! Business owners are secretly applying for it.

Recently, Mr. Zhang's company received a cooperation intention from an overseas customer but missed the order due to the lack of import and export business operation right. Like Ms. Li, many entrepreneurs are both familiar and unfamiliar with the "import and export business operation right" - it's like a key that can open the door to the global market, but the application process is daunting. Today, we'll take you to understand the application secrets of this "pass for customs clearance" in 10 minutes.

1. Why do you need this "international pass"?

Having the import and export business operation right means that an enterprise can declare customs independently, receive and pay foreign exchange, and handle tax rebates. Taking the customers served by Zhongshitong as an example, after obtaining the qualification, the average logistics cost is reduced by 20%. The main advantages are reflected in:

• Directly connect with overseas customers and reduce intermediate links
• Enjoy the policy dividends of export tax rebates
• Improve the enterprise's international credit rating

2. "Physical examination list" before application

Just as a passport is needed to go abroad, an enterprise also needs to meet basic conditions first:

• The business scope of the business license includes "import and export" or "import and export of goods and technologies"
• The basic bank account has been opened
• The legal representative has no record of customs dishonesty

Special reminder: Self-employed individuals can also apply, but they need to provide an additional property notarization document.

3. A detailed explanation of the five-step customs clearance process

Step 1: Filing with the business bureau
Log in to the "Record-filing and Registration System for Foreign Trade Operators", and you can receive the record-filing form within 3 working days. Ms. Li's application was once rejected due to an error in the English address format. Special attention should be paid to the consistency of information.

Step 2: Customs registration
Submit materials through the "China International Trade Single Window", including:

• A copy of the enterprise's business license for legal persons
• Organization code certificate (not required for enterprises with three certificates in one)
• Bank account opening permit

Step 3: Filing with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange
After obtaining the Confirmation Letter for Opening Online Services for Goods Trade Foreign Exchange Management, cross-border payment and receipt can be carried out. It is recommended to open the Electronic Port Card simultaneously.

Step 4: Change of tax registration
Go to the competent tax authority to handle the export tax rebate qualification determination, and you need to prepare:

• Export tax rebate (exemption) record-filing form
• Customs declaration unit registration certificate

Step 5: Access to the Electronic Port
After completing the IC card production, the enterprise has obtained the full-process customs clearance ability. The whole process usually takes 15 - 30 days, and Zhongshitong customers can complete it in as fast as 7 days.

4. Newcomer's guide to avoiding pitfalls

Based on more than 200 enterprise service cases, we have summarized three high-frequency mistakes:

• Writing "import and export" as "importexport" by mistake, resulting in an inconsistent business scope
• Failing to handle the tax rebate qualification determination in a timely manner, resulting in a loss of 13% tax rebate
• The foreign exchange account does not have the "verification account" function opened

It is recommended that small and medium-sized enterprises choose the full-process agency service. Professional institutions are familiar with the policy differences in various regions. For example, there are special preferential policies in Qianhai, Shenzhen.

5. What should you do after obtaining the qualification?

Congratulations on becoming a "regular foreign trade army"! Next, it is recommended that:

• Participate in international trade training (such as the Incoterms®2020 rules)
• Establish an import and export document management system
• Purchase export credit insurance

Remember Mr. Zhang at the beginning? After improving his qualifications, he not only retrieved the original order but also obtained 3 new customers through Alibaba.com. Now it's your turn - click [Foreign Trade Qualification Assessment] below to see how many steps are left before "going global"?