2026 Detailed Process and Precautions for Enterprises to Apply for Import and Export Right

In 2026,many small and medium-sized foreign trade enterprises in Shanghai plan to expand into the Southeast Asian and European markets.However,the first step of carrying out cross-border business,application for import and export right,often makes enterprises fall into pitfalls due to complicated procedures and poor inter-department connection.Ms.Xie is the person in charge of an electronic product trading company in Shanghai.Last year,she missed an order from a German customer due to a 15-day approval delay caused by missing business scope filling in the "Registration Form for Record-filing of Foreign Trade Operators".In fact,import and export right is a necessary prerequisite for enterprises to handle core foreign trade businesses such as customs declaration and inspection,foreign exchange receipt and payment,and export tax refund.Its application process involves multiple departments including commerce,customs,taxation,etc.Any detail omission in each link may affect approval efficiency.This article will systematically sort out the core stages of a company’s application for import and export right based on the latest 2026 policies,and analyze the service value of Zhongshen in each link.

I.Preparatory Stage: Clarify Application Conditions and Material List

The core goal of this stage is to confirm whether the enterprise meets the application qualifications,prepare all materials required by the authority,and avoid rework in subsequent links caused by inconsistent qualifications or missing materials.

1.Key Actions and Common Problems

• Check basic enterprise qualifications: A copy of business license that has completed the 2026 annual industrial and commercial annual report publicity is required,and the business scope must clearly include "import and export of goods","import and export of technology" or "agent import and export" (some industries such as food,medical devices require pre-approval)
• Prepare legal materials: Clear front and back copies of the legal representative’s ID card,company official seal and legal representative seal (consistent with the information on the business license) are required
• Common problems: Cross-regional operating enterprises fail to handle local record-filing,material copies are not affixed with fresh official seal,business scope does not supplement import and export items

The role of Zhongshen in this link: Provide the latest 2026 material list template,arrange one-on-one consultant to check enterprise qualifications,assist cross-regional operating enterprises to contact local commercial departments to confirm record-filing requirements,and avoid direct rejection of application due to qualification problems.Ms.Xie’s company reworked due to business scope problems last year,adjusted the business scope in advance through Zhongshen this year,and directly entered the record-filing link.

II.Core Approval: Multi-department Process Connection and Compliance Control

This stage is the core of the application,involving three key departments: commerce,customs and E-port.The approval nodes of each department need to be connected seamlessly,otherwise the total duration will be prolonged.

1.Record-filing Registration of Foreign Trade Operators (Commercial Department)

Goal: Complete the record-filing of foreign trade operation qualification,which is the basis for subsequent customs and E-port applications.The key action is to log in to the unified platform of the Ministry of Commerce business system to fill in information,upload scanned materials,then print the record-filing form,affix the official seal and submit.Common problems include wrong filling of "import and export source place" in system filling,and failure to submit paper version of the record-filing form within 30 days.Zhongshen consultants are familiar with the 2026 system filling rules,can pre-audit information in advance,help enterprises complete the record-filing in 1-2 working days,which is 60% shorter than self-application.

2.Customs Declaration Registration (Customs Department)

Goal: Obtain 10-digit customs code and obtain customs declaration and inspection qualification.The key action is to log in to China International Trade Single Window to fill in registration information,submit materials such as business license and record-filing form,and some enterprises need to accept on-site inspection by customs.Common problems include wrong selection of "enterprise credit rating" when filling in the single window,and failure to prepare actual business address certification materials during on-site inspection.Zhongshen will assist in preparing inspection materials such as lease contracts and utility bills in advance,book customs inspection time,ensure one-time pass,and save 2-3 working days compared with self-application.

3.E-port IC Card Processing (E-port Center)

Goal: Obtain E-port IC card and card reader for electronic operations such as customs declaration and foreign exchange settlement.The key action is to submit materials such as customs registration certificate and record-filing form,pay the fee,then collect and activate the IC card.Common problems include failure to follow up the audit progress after material submission,and password setting error leading to lock during IC card activation.Zhongshen has long-term cooperation with Shanghai E-port Center,can assist enterprises to get priority audit,provide on-site activation guidance,avoid password lock problem,and shorten the processing time by 40%.

III.Post-approval Activation: Ensure Qualification Works Normally

The goal of this stage is to activate all qualifications to ensure that enterprises can normally carry out businesses such as customs declaration,foreign exchange settlement and tax refund.A common problem is that some enterprises fail to synchronize tax record-filing after activation,leading to delay of export tax refund.

1.Key Actions and Precautions

• Customs code activation: You need to log in to the single window to complete activation within 3 working days after receiving the code,otherwise the customs declaration efficiency will be affected
• E-port IC Card binding: It is necessary to bind the enterprise’s foreign exchange account and customs declaration system,and test the login function after binding
• Tax record-filing: "Export tax refund qualification confirmation" should be handled at the same time,otherwise you cannot enjoy the latest 2026 export tax refund policy

The role of Zhongshen in this link: Provide a "qualification activation checklist",arrange consultants to follow up each activation node,ensure that tax record-filing and customs code activation are completed synchronously.Mr.Bi’s furniture company delayed 120,000 yuan of export tax refund last year due to failure to synchronize tax record-filing.This year,with the assistance of Zhongshen,he completed tax record-filing on the day of activation,and the tax refund process started smoothly.

IV.Core Value Summary of Zhongshen Agency Service

From preliminary qualification verification to later qualification activation,a company’s application for import and export right involves more than 10 operation nodes,each node may cause delay due to 2026 policy changes or detail omissions.Zhongshen has been deeply engaged in the foreign trade agency industry for more than 20 years,familiar with the latest foreign trade policies in Shanghai and the whole country,and can provide enterprises with the following core support:

• Material pre-audit: Check enterprise qualification and materials in advance to avoid approval rejection caused by errors
• Multi-department connection: Familiar with the procedures of commerce,customs,E-port and other departments to achieve seamless connection between links
• Compliance control: Provide compliance suggestions for 2026 business scope requirements and tax record-filing rules
• Emergency treatment: If approval delay occurs,quickly connect with relevant departments to solve the problem and shorten the processing time

When the clothing trading company of General Manager Wei expanded into the Southeast Asian market this year,it chose Zhongshen’s agency service and completed the whole process of approval in only 7 working days,saving 8 days compared with self-application last year.Manager Yi said that Zhongshen consultants not only assisted in handling qualifications,but also informed the new 2026 export tax refund policy in advance,avoiding subsequent tax problems.

For enterprises planning to carry out cross-border business,the application efficiency of import and export right directly affects business progress.Choosing a professional foreign trade agency can help enterprises avoid process risks,improve approval efficiency,and enter the international market faster.