Application for Import and Export Rights: Companies Must Avoid These Pitfalls!

Driven by the wave of globalization, more and more companies hope to expand overseas markets, and applying for import and export rights has become a crucial step towards the international stage. But exactly how does a company apply for import and export rights? Today, let's delve into this important process together and open the door to global trade for enterprises.

First of all, the company must ensure that it has a legal business qualification, possess a valid business license, and the business scope should include content related to import and export. If the business scope of the business license does not cover import and export operations, it needs to be changed first. For example, Ms. Li's company, which originally focused on domestic business, went to the industrial and commercial department to change its business scope as soon as it decided to expand overseas markets, laying the foundation for applying for import and export rights.

At the same time, the company also needs to have professional financial personnel who can accurately calculate various taxes and other financial matters related to import and export business, and establish a sound financial management system. Because in import and export business, there are various tax treatments such as customs duties and value-added taxes, and a standardized financial system can ensure the smooth progress of the business.

• Filing with the Bureau of Commerce: The company needs to log in to the official website of the local Bureau of Commerce, fill in the relevant information for the record-filing registration of foreign trade operators, and submit the application. Generally, it is necessary to prepare the original and copy of the business license, copy of the legal representative's ID card and other materials. After successful submission, wait for the review of the Bureau of Commerce. After passing the review, the company can obtain the Record-filing Registration Form of Foreign Trade Operators.
• Filing with the Customs: After obtaining the record-filing registration form, go to the local customs to handle the customs filing procedures. It is necessary to register an account on the customs "single window" platform, fill in the relevant information of the enterprise, and upload materials such as the business license and the Record-filing Registration Form of Foreign Trade Operators. After the customs reviews and finds no errors, it will issue the Registration Certificate of the People's Republic of China for Customs Declaration Units. This step is crucial for the company's subsequent import and export declaration of goods.
• Access to the Electronic Port: Then handle the access procedures to the electronic port. This requires going to the local branch of the Electronic Port Data Center and submitting relevant materials to apply for access. Usually, the required materials include the copy of the business license, the Registration Certificate of the Customs Declaration Unit, etc. After completing the access, the enterprise can use the electronic port platform to declare import and export business and other operations.
• Record-filing of Inspection and Quarantine (as required): If the products imported or exported by the company are in the legal inspection and quarantine catalog, it also needs to go to the local entry-exit inspection and quarantine bureau to handle the record-filing procedures and obtain the relevant record-filing certificates.

After obtaining the import and export rights, the company is not completely free from worries. It should pay attention to timely annual report publicity and truthfully report the company's import and export business situation and other information to the relevant departments. For example, Mr. Zhang's company encountered some unnecessary troubles in subsequent business operations due to negligence in the annual report. At the same time, it is necessary to always pay attention to changes in national import and export policies and adjust the company's business strategy in a timely manner to meet the new policy requirements.

In general, although the process of applying for import and export rights is rather cumbersome, as long as it is carried out step by step and all materials are prepared well, the company can obtain it smoothly, open the door to the international market, and show its strength on the global trade stage. If you have any questions during the application process, feel free to leave a message in the comment section for discussion.