Is it necessary to have the right to import and export for doing foreign trade? 90% of bosses get it wrong

When Mr. Zhang received his first overseas order in Yiwu Small Commodity Market, he thought that he could easily complete the transaction as long as he found a freight forwarder. But after actually going through the whole process of customs declaration, tax rebate, and foreign exchange settlement, he realized that: Having the right to self-run import and export is the starting line for enterprises to go international. This article will break down the whole process of applying for the self-run import and export qualification and tell you how to open the global market with the least cost.

Why are 90% of trading companies scrambling for this "pass"?

Ms. Li's clothing factory exported through a foreign trade company last year, and 15% of the profit of each order was deducted. However, the self-run import and export company of General Manager Wang, a peer, not only directly connects with overseas customers but also can enjoy a 13% export tax rebate.

• Cost advantage: Avoid the commission of middlemen, and the tax rebate goes directly into the pocket.
• Efficiency improvement: Arrange logistics and customs declaration independently, shortening the delivery cycle.
• Brand building: Sign contracts with your own company name to enhance customer trust.

Import and export experts from Zhongshitong pointed out that for enterprises with an annual export volume exceeding $500,000, the self-run qualification can reduce the comprehensive cost by 20%.

Five-step customs clearance guide: From zero to obtaining the qualification certificate

Step 1: Adding items in industrial and commercial registration
Add "import and export of goods" or "import and export of technology" to the business scope. You need to prepare materials such as the amendment to the articles of association and the resolution of the shareholders' meeting. It is usually completed within 3 working days.

Step 2: Customs filing
Submit through the "Single Window" of China's international trade:

• Scanned copy of the duplicate of the business license
• Front and back sides of the legal person's ID card
• Bank account opening permit

After the customs approves, a 10-digit registration certificate of the customs declaration unit will be issued.

Step 3: Registration with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange
Take the customs certificate to the local foreign exchange bureau to open a foreign exchange account. Special attention should be paid that: When submitting for the first time, you need to submit the letter of intent for the import and export contract. Virtual trade volume may lead to the failure of the review.

Step 4: Application for the E-Port Card
This is equivalent to the "digital passport" of the enterprise and is used for online operations such as customs declaration and tax rebate. It is recommended to apply for the operator card and the legal person card at the same time, with a cost of about $500.

Step 5: Filing for export tax rebates
Complete the qualification recognition of the export enterprise in the tax bureau. You need to provide:

• Proof of the bank's foreign exchange account
• Sample of recent export contracts
• Documents of the financial accounting system

Guide to avoiding pitfalls: Three "tuition fees" that beginners must pay

1. Trap of registered capital: Although there is no minimum limit in law, some customs strengthen the review of documents for enterprises with a registered capital of less than 5 million yuan.
2. Risk of bookkeeping agency: The accounting requirements for export tax rebates are special, and the error rate of ordinary bookkeeping agencies is as high as 37%.
3. Blind area of foreign exchange verification: You need to log in to the foreign exchange monitoring system to declare within 90 days after receiving foreign exchange. If it is overdue, you may be downgraded.

Is it suitable for your enterprise to apply now?

Zhongshitong suggests that enterprises should first do three arithmetic problems:

• Does the annual export volume exceed $300,000?
• Do you have stable overseas customer resources?
• Can you afford the cost of about 20,000 yuan for handling the qualification?

If the answers are all yes, then now is the best time to enter. After all, under the RCEP agreement, the tariffs of ASEAN countries are decreasing at a rate of 0.5% - 1% per year. Every year of delay may result in missing the price advantage.

When Mr. Zhang's company got the right to import and export in the third month, it signed an order of $2 million through Alibaba International Station. His biggest feeling was: "It's not that business is difficult to do, but that the rules of the game have changed." Is your enterprise ready to change tracks? Welcome to share your confusion or experience in internationalization in the comment area.