Import and Export Rights = Money Printing Machine? Things 90% of High-tech Zone Bosses Don't Know

"Mr. Zhang was still worrying about foreign trade orders last year. This year, relying on the import and export rights in the high-tech zone, he directly signed a multi-million-dollar order!" Such stories are not fictional. With the acceleration of the globalization process, more and more enterprises are starting to turn their eyes to overseas markets. And having import and export rights is undoubtedly the first key to opening up the international market. Today, let's talk about how enterprises in high-tech zones can quickly obtain this "foreign trade passport".

Many people think that import and export rights are just licenses that allow enterprises to do foreign trade. In fact, its value is far more than that. Enterprises in high-tech zones with import and export rights can:

• Declare customs independently and save agency fees.
• Enjoy the policy dividends of export tax rebates.
• Establish an international commercial credit system.
• Participate in special government subsidies for foreign trade.

Ms. Li's technology company is a typical example. After obtaining import and export rights, not only did the profit increase by 20% by directly connecting with overseas customers, but it also received a special award for foreign trade growth enterprises in the high-tech zone.

The application for import and export rights in high-tech zones is mainly divided into five key steps:

• Step 1: Add Items to the Business License (It is necessary to add business scopes such as "Import and Export of Goods").
• Step 2: Customs Filing (China Customs Enterprise Import and Export Credit Management System).
• Step 3: Join the Electronic Port Network (Obtain the operation authority of the IC card).
• Step 4: Registration with the Foreign Exchange Administration (Open the authority of the foreign exchange account).
• Step 5: Tax Bureau Filing (Qualification Recognition of Export Tax Rebates).

The whole process usually takes 15 - 20 working days. Zhongshitong suggests that enterprises reserve a one-month buffer period. Special reminder: Since 2023, the high-tech zone has launched an "One-stop Service for Foreign Trade" integrated service. Some materials can be shared online, and the efficiency is increased by 40%.

In the process of service, we have found that enterprises often encounter these problems:

• The business scope does not include "Technology Import and Export", resulting in subsequent supplementary applications.
• Forgetting to submit the customs annual report and being downgraded to a discredited enterprise.
• Not opening the foreign exchange account in time, which affects the receipt of payments.
• The materials for export tax rebate filing are incomplete.

There is a real case: A biotechnology company's import and export rights were temporarily frozen due to the omission of reporting the customs annual report, resulting in the delayed delivery of a $2 million order. It is recommended that enterprises conduct full-process trusteeship through professional institutions such as Zhongshitong to avoid losing the big because of the small.

Compared with other regions, the high-tech zone provides unique support for foreign trade enterprises:

• If the import and export volume in the first year exceeds $5 million, a special award can be applied for.
• The subsidy for participating in international exhibitions can reach up to 70% of the booth fee.
• AEO-certified enterprises enjoy the VIP passage of the customs.
• Cross-border e-commerce enterprises enjoy additional logistics subsidies.

Data shows that in 2023, the average policy subsidy obtained by foreign trade enterprises in the high-tech zone was 127,000 yuan. It is recommended that enterprises consult the policy matching plan with the commerce department immediately after obtaining import and export rights.

Import and export rights are not just a license, but also the starting line for enterprise internationalization. In today's increasingly fierce global competition, the earlier the layout, the more chances of winning. Have you ever encountered difficulties in handling import and export rights? Or do you want to know the latest foreign trade support policies in the high-tech zone? Welcome to leave a message in the comment area. We will select typical questions and ask Zhongshitong experts to answer them in detail.

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