Is Not Applying for Import and Export Qualifications a Waste of Money?

"Mr. Zhang recently received an overseas order but was forced to abandon the cooperation due to the lack of import and export qualifications; Ms. Li's cross-border e-commerce business had its goods seized by the customs due to incomplete qualifications, suffering heavy losses..." Stories like these are happening every day. Import and export qualifications are like the "international pass" for enterprises, but the application process is complex and highly professional, making many entrepreneurs hesitate to proceed. This article will break down the whole process of applying for qualifications in the simplest language to help you avoid 90% of the common pitfalls.

According to the data of the General Administration of Customs, the volume of returned import and export goods due to qualification problems increased by 17% year-on-year in 2023. Enterprises without compliant qualifications not only face the risk of goods seizure but may also be included in the trade blacklist. Core qualifications include:

• Record-filing of Foreign Trade Operators: The basic "identity card" for enterprises to conduct import and export business
• Registration of Customs Declaration Entities: The key step to obtain a 10-digit customs code
• Electronic Port Card: The essential tool for online customs clearance
• Record-filing of Inspection and Quarantine: The access threshold for special commodities such as food and cosmetics

The standardized application path summarized by the expert team of Zhongshitong can shorten the application time by 40%:

• Step 1: Preparation of Materials: Basic documents such as the duplicate of the business license, the identity card of the legal person, and the articles of association. It should be noted that all documents must be stamped with the official seal.
• Step 2: Online Filling: Submit the application through the "Single Window for International Trade", and pay special attention to the fact that the filling of the business scope should be accurate to the HS code.
• Step 3: On-site Submission: Some areas still require bringing the original documents to the Bureau of Commerce for verification. It is recommended to make an appointment in advance to avoid queuing.
• Step 4: Receiving Certificates: Usually, the Registration Form of Record-filing of Foreign Trade Operators can be received within 15 working days.
• Step 5: Bank Account Opening: When opening a foreign currency account, it is necessary to submit the record-filing to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange simultaneously.

A survey on a cross-border e-commerce platform shows that the error rate of enterprises applying for qualifications for the first time is as high as 62%:

• Lack of Business Scope: The business license does not contain key expressions such as "import and export of goods", and an industrial and commercial change is required first.
• Inconsistent Address: The customs discovers during on-site verification that the registered address does not match the actual business place.
• Failure to Conduct Annual Review on Time: Import and export qualifications need to be updated annually, and they will automatically become invalid if not processed in time.

If it involves commodities such as medical devices and agricultural products, the following additional applications are required:

• Record-filing of Food Import and Export Merchants: It is necessary to submit the food safety management system documents.
• License for Dual-use Items: If it involves high-tech products, it is necessary to obtain approval from the science and technology department.
• Certificate of Endangered Species: For commodities such as mahogany and coral, a CITES certificate is required to be provided.

After reading this article, you might as well immediately check: Does the company's qualifications cover all business scopes? Are the record-filing information updated in a timely manner? You are welcome to share your application experience in the comment area or leave the difficult problems you have encountered. For the first 20 readers who leave messages, we will provide a Compliance Diagnosis Report on Import and Export Qualifications for free. The door to the international market has been opened. Are you ready?