Complete Process and Precautions for Import and Export Rights Application for Neighboring Companies

Core Process Breakdown of Import and Export Rights Application for Neighboring Companies

Many companies near Shanghai that intend to engage in foreign trade get stuck at the very first step: import and export rights application.They do not know which authorities to visit,how to prepare materials,and still cannot get things right after multiple trips.Import and export rights are the "passport" for enterprises to conduct foreign trade business.Without it,enterprises cannot process customs declaration,cannot collect foreign exchange,let alone apply for export tax rebate.Today we will break down the process of import and export rights application for neighboring companies,explain key precautions for each step,and what support Zhongshen can provide.

1.Preparatory Stage: Confirm Qualification + Prepare All Required Basic Materials

The goal of this stage is to confirm that the enterprise meets the basic requirements for import and export rights application,and sort out all necessary materials to avoid returning to supplement materials later.

Key Actions:

• Check business license: Check whether the business scope includes words such as "Import and Export of Goods" and "Import and Export of Technology" (if not,industrial and commercial change must be done first);
• Sort basic materials: Copy of business license,legal person ID card,company official seal,basic deposit account information statement (some banks have replaced the original opening permit in 2026);
• Confirm no violation records: Check whether the enterprise has any administrative penalty records from customs or taxation in the past 3 years (if yes,handle it in advance).

Common Problems:

• Manager Wang,head of a local electronic manufacturing enterprise,once encountered this: his business license did not include import and export scope,he only found out after two trips to the authority,delaying 1 week;
• Some small and micro enterprises forget to bring the official seal,so materials cannot be signed and confirmed on site,and a new appointment is required.

Role of Zhongshen:

Supervisor Xu,a foreign trade consultant of Zhongshen,will connect with the customer in advance,use an "Import and Export Right Application Qualification Checklist" to help the enterprise check all conditions,assist in sorting out the material list,and mark which materials need color scans and which need original verification.For example,for the basic deposit account information statement required by the SAFE in 2026,Supervisor Xu will remind the customer to print the latest version from the bank in advance to avoid rejection due to outdated version.

2.Industrial & Commercial and Tax Change: Complete Business Scope + Finish Filing

If the business license does not include import and export related scope,industrial and commercial change must be completed first.The goal is to update the business scope,synchronize information to the tax department,and lay the foundation for subsequent filing.

Key Actions:

• Industrial and commercial change: Submit the "Business Scope Change" application online,and upload materials such as business license and legal person ID card;
• Tax filing: Within 3 working days after the completion of industrial and commercial change,go to the tax department to complete "Import and Export Business Filing" and synchronize the update of tax classification;
• Collect new business license: Some regions support electronic licenses,which can be downloaded and printed directly without on-site collection.

Common Problems:

• Some enterprises only complete industrial and commercial change,forget tax filing,which leads to failure of information synchronization in the customs system,and the customs declaration application is rejected;
• In 2026,some districts in Shanghai require tax information to be synchronized on the "One Network for All Services" platform after industrial and commercial change,and unfamiliarity with operation easily leads to missing steps.

Role of Zhongshen:

The Zhongshen team is familiar with the "One Network for All Services" process in all districts of Shanghai,can help customers complete the industrial and commercial change application quickly,and follow up the progress of tax filing.For example,Manager Hong,head of Zhongshen’s operation department,once helped a client in Songjiang submit tax filing on the same day when industrial and commercial change was completed,saving 3 working days compared with self-handling.

3.Commercial Authority Filing: Obtain the *Registration Form of Foreign Trade Operator*

This is the core link of import and export rights application.Only after obtaining this form can the enterprise have the foreign trade operation qualification.The goal is to pass the review of the commercial authority and obtain the filing form,which is an important certificate for subsequent customs and foreign exchange filing.

Key Actions:

• Online filing: Log in to the Unified Business System Platform of the Ministry of Commerce,fill in enterprise basic information,scope of import and export commodities,etc.;
• On-site verification: Some regions require submission of paper materials to the local commercial authority window;
• Collect filing form: After approval,you can download the electronic form online or collect the paper version at the window.

Common Problems:

• Mr.An,head of a local trading company,once filled in the wrong "import and export commodity code",leading to approval failure,and resubmission delayed 5 days;
• Some enterprises miss filling in "whether business address is consistent with registered address",if inconsistent,an additional lease agreement is required,otherwise the application cannot pass.

Role of Zhongshen:

Zhongshen consultants will check all information on the filing form in advance,especially the commodity codes updated by the Ministry of Commerce in 2026,to avoid rejection due to code errors.For enterprises with inconsistent registered address and business address,we can also assist in preparing notarized lease agreement materials to improve the approval rate.

4.Customs Registration: Complete Registration of Customs Declaration Entity

Without customs registration,enterprises cannot process customs declaration and carry out import and export business.The goal is to obtain the *Registration Certificate of Customs Declaration Entity* and complete the filing of customs declaration personnel.

Key Actions:

• Registration on customs system: Log in to China International Trade Single Window,submit enterprise basic information,filing form,etc.;
• On-site inspection: Customs arranges personnel to inspect the actual business address of the enterprise (some regions support remote video inspection in 2026);
• Collect customs declaration certificate: After approval,you can download the electronic certificate online or collect the paper version at the window.

Common Problems:

• Some enterprises have inconsistent actual business address and registered address,and fail to inform customs in advance,leading to failure of on-site inspection;
• Wrong information filled in customs declaration personnel filing (such as wrong ID number) affects subsequent customs declaration operations.

Role of Zhongshen:

Zhongshen operation team is familiar with customs inspection requirements,helps customers sort out inspection materials (warehouse photos,production equipment list,etc.) in advance,and assists in preparing equipment for remote inspection.For example,Manager Ji,head of Zhongshen’s customs declaration department,once helped a client in Jiading pass the audit smoothly through remote inspection,saving 2 working days compared with on-site inspection.

5.Foreign Exchange Filing and China E-port: Open Cross-border Payment & Collection Channel

The last two links are closely related and both are indispensable.The goal is to open a foreign exchange account,obtain the China E-port IC card,and realize cross-border payment and collection and paperless customs clearance.

Key Actions:

• SAFE Filing: Log in to the Digital Foreign Exchange Administration Platform of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange,submit enterprise basic information,customs certificate,etc.;
• China E-port application: Submit enterprise information,customs certificate,foreign exchange filing form,etc.to apply for China E-port IC card;
• IC card activation: After receiving the IC card,you need to activate it at the customs or designated outlets before it can be used for customs declaration and foreign exchange payment and collection.

Common Problems:

• Some enterprises have inconsistent foreign exchange filing information and customs information,leading to failure to open a foreign exchange account;
• IC card activation requires the original legal person ID card,and it is easy to delay time if the legal person is not in Shanghai.

Role of Zhongshen:

Zhongshen foreign exchange team will check the consistency of foreign exchange information and customs information; if the legal person is not in Shanghai,we assist in preparing the power of attorney to allow the authorized agent to activate the IC card smoothly.In 2026,some banks support online opening of foreign exchange accounts.Zhongshen can help customers connect with banks and complete account opening quickly,saving 4 working days compared with self-handling.

Self-handling vs Zhongshen Agency: Which Is More Efficient?

Many neighboring enterprises consider import and export rights application "troublesome",mainly because they are not familiar with the process requirements of multiple departments,and are prone to errors in material preparation and information verification.Zhongshen has been deeply engaged in foreign trade agency for over 20 years,is familiar with all application links in Shanghai and surrounding areas,can help enterprises avoid more than 90% of common problems,and shorten the processing cycle by more than half.

For example,an electronic enterprise in Songjiang previously spent 30 working days handling the application by itself,and delayed customs declaration due to wrong commodity code; after entrusting Zhongshen as agency,it obtained all certificates in only 12 working days and smoothly launched its first export business.

If you are an enterprise near Shanghai and want to complete import and export rights application efficiently,you can contact the professional foreign trade agency team - Zhongshen helps you avoid detours and get your "foreign trade passport" quickly.