Is the import and export operation right a money - printing machine?

“Mr. Zhang's garment factory has been engaged in domestic sales for three years. Recently, customers always ask: ‘Can you export?’ Ms. Li's cross - border e - commerce team watched overseas orders slip away because of lacking qualifications...” Such stories are happening every day. The import and export operation right, how exactly can this “international pass” be obtained? Today, Zhongshitong will break down the whole process for you.

Enterprises with the import and export right can not only declare customs independently and enjoy tax rebates, but also directly participate in international competition. Data shows that in 2022, there were 598,000 foreign - trade enterprises with import and export performance in China, among which private enterprises accounted for over 80%. No middleman makes the difference, these enterprises reduced costs by an average of 15% through self - export.

• Directly receive foreign exchange, with more flexible capital turnover
• Independently choose logistics and settlement methods
• Essential qualification for participating in international exhibitions such as the Canton Fair

Zhongshitong experts remind that policies vary slightly in different regions, but the core materials are basically the same:

• Business license: The business scope should include “import and export” or “import and export of goods and technologies”
• Bank account opening permit: The basis for opening a foreign - currency account
• Legal person's ID card: Color scanned copies of both sides
• Proof of office space: Lease contract or copy of the property ownership certificate

Taking the Yangtze River Delta region as an example, the complete process takes about 20 working days:

1. Business bureau filing: Obtain the Record - filing Form of Foreign Trade Operators
2. Customs registration: Obtain a 10 - digit customs code
3. Electronic port card: Equivalent to the enterprise's “foreign - trade ID card”
4. State Administration of Foreign Exchange filing: Open the permission for foreign exchange receipt and payment
5. Tax bureau tax - refund registration: Complete the export tax rebate (exemption) filing

Ms. Li's lesson: She didn't update her business license when applying, and thus made three extra trips to the government affairs hall. Zhongshitong suggests paying special attention to:

• The business scope must clearly state the import and export items
• The customs annual report must be completed before June 30th each year
• The electronic port card should be kept by a dedicated person, and it takes 15 days to re - apply if lost

For enterprises with an annual export value of less than 5 million, they can consider:

• Adopt the “tax - free without invoices” policy of the cross - border e - commerce comprehensive pilot zone
• Use the “market procurement trade” method (customs supervision code 1039)
• Entrust foreign - trade integrated service enterprises for operation

“Obtaining the import and export right is just the starting point,” a Zhongshitong foreign - trade consultant pointed out. “It is recommended that newly - authorized enterprises participate in the ‘Newcomer Training Camp’ for international trade to systematically learn practical skills such as letter - of - credit review and international logistics.”

When Mr. Zhang finally independently completed his first export order, he calculated an account: For the same order, the profit was 22% higher than that of agency export in the past. Globalization is not an option, but a must - answer question. Welcome to leave your foreign - trade puzzles in the comment area, or send a private message to obtain a comparison table of the handling time limits for the import and export right in different regions. In the next issue, we will reveal “Mastering customs codes from scratch”.