Is the import and export operation right the biggest shortcoming of enterprises?

Mr. Zhang is very distressed recently. His high - quality handicrafts produced by his own factory have become quite famous in the domestic market, but customers always ask him, "Can it be exported overseas?" - Only then did he realize that what he lacked was not orders, but an import and export operation right. Have you ever encountered a similar situation? Today, let's talk about this "pass" that enables enterprises to enter the international market.

Simply put, the import and export operation right is the qualification for an enterprise to engage in import and export trade in accordance with the law. Having it means that you can:

• Directly sign contracts with overseas customers
• Independently handle procedures such as customs declaration and tax refund
• Establish an international supply chain system

It is worth noting that since 2019, China has comprehensively implemented the cancellation of the registration for the record of foreign trade operators. Enterprises only need to complete industrial and commercial registration to automatically obtain import and export qualifications, and the threshold has been significantly reduced.

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

• Industrial and commercial item addition: Add "goods import and export" or "technology import and export" to the business scope of the business license
• Customs filing: Register through the "single window" to obtain a 10 - digit customs code
• Foreign exchange registration: Open a foreign currency account at the bank and complete the filing with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange
• Electronic Port card: Handle the IC card equipment for customs declaration

The case of Ms. Li is very representative: Her food processing factory only took two weeks from submitting materials to completing all procedures. Now, its monthly export volume through cross - border e - commerce has exceeded $200,000.

In practice, we have found three high - frequency mistakes:

• Believing that "with a business license, you can export directly" (in fact, separate filing is required)
• Ignoring the certification requirements of the product's destination country (such as CE in the EU, FDA in the US)
• Failing to plan a tax refund plan in advance (the tax refund rate difference for different products can reach 13%)

Special reminder: Professional institutions such as Zhongshitong can provide full - process agency services, which can improve efficiency by more than 60% compared with enterprises exploring on their own.

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

• Is the domestic market share tending to be saturated?
• Does the product meet international standards?
• Does the team have basic English communication skills?
• Can it afford a 3 - 6 - month payment collection cycle?

If you meet more than two items, perhaps it's time to consider laying out in the international market. After all, in the era of globalization, enterprises that do not take the initiative to go global are likely to be flooded by "seawater".

After reading this article, you can:

• Immediately check the business scope of the business license
• Bookmark the official website of the "International Trade Single Window"
• Leave a message to share your foreign trade confusion

Remember: The import and export operation right is not the end, but the starting point of an enterprise's internationalization. Will the next Chinese brand that shines in the overseas market be yours?