Full Process of Enterprise Export Qualification Application in 2026: Detailed Operation Guide from Application to Approval

1.Preparatory Stage: Confirm Basic Qualifications and Material List

(1) Objectives and Core Actions

The goal is to ensure the enterprise meets the basic requirements for applying for export qualifications,and avoid subsequent approval rework due to missing basic information.The core actions include:

• Verify whether the business scope of the business license includes keywords such as "import and export of goods" and "import and export of technology";
• Confirm that the enterprise has completed tax registration (in 2026,general taxpayer qualification is prioritized for export tax refunds);
• Sort out basic enterprise information: ID card of the legal representative,proof of registered address,and basic bank account opening permit;
• Supplement the new requirements in 2026: tax payment certificate with no tax arrears in the past year (required by some customs ports).

(2) Common Problems and Solutions

• No import and export scope in business license: First,apply for business scope change through Shanghai "One-stop Online Service",and the online review can be completed within 3 working days;
• Can small-scale taxpayers apply: Customs allows filing in 2026,but export tax refund requires conversion to general taxpayer status (except for zero-tax rate products);
• Expired bank account opening permit: Some banks support online updates in 2026,please contact the opening bank in advance to obtain the latest scanned copy.

(3) Support from Zhongshen

Zhongshen provides free qualification pre-review for enterprises.For enterprises with incomplete business scope,we directly provide the list of materials and filling templates for "One-stop Online Service" changes; for small-scale taxpayers,we explain the policy differences between export tax exemption and refund in advance,helping them judge whether to convert to general taxpayers in advance to avoid subsequent business restrictions.

2.Core Department Qualification Application: Coordinate Applications with Customs,SAFE and Tax Authorities

(1) Customs Registration for Import and Export Goods Receivers and Declarants

The goal is to obtain customs registration and obtain the qualification of customs declaration and inspection subject.In 2026,this registration has been integrated into the "China International Trade Single Window",and there is no need to go to customs offline.

• Key Actions:
  • Log in to the Single Window and complete the registration in the "Enterprise Qualification" module;
  • Fill in the basic enterprise information and legal representative information.If you entrust a customs declaration agent,you can directly fill in the customs declarant information of Zhongshen;
  • Upload scanned copies of business license,unified social credit code certificate,and basic bank account opening permit (scanned with resolution above 300dpi);
  • Wait for customs review after submission,with an average period of 3-5 working days in 2026.

Common Problems:

• Missing customs declarant information: After entrusting Zhongshen as the agent,you can directly use the information of its professional customs declaration team without separate recruitment by the enterprise;
• Forgot Single Window password: Can be retrieved online through the enterprise’s unified social credit code or legal representative’s ID number,or contact the customs 12360 hotline;
• Special commodity filing: Commodities such as food and medical devices need additional inspection and quarantine filing,which can be submitted simultaneously with customs registration in 2026.

Support from Zhongshen:

Mr.Ning from Zhongshen will fully assist in completing the Single Window registration operation,and verify the material format in advance (the Single Window has strict requirements for scanned copy resolution in 2026); for special commodities,we will remind you in advance of the supplementary inspection and quarantine materials to avoid being unable to declare after registration.

(2) SAFE Trade Foreign Exchange Receipt and Payment Enterprise Directory Registration

The goal is to obtain foreign exchange receipt and payment qualification.In 2026,this registration is linked to customs registration,and some regions can handle it simultaneously.

• Key Actions:
  • Log in to the "State Administration of Foreign Exchange Digital Foreign Exchange Management Platform" and enter the "Enterprise Directory Registration" module;
  • Fill in basic enterprise information and foreign exchange account information (need to provide the opening bank’s SWIFT code);
  • Upload scanned copies of business license and customs registration receipt;
  • Wait for SAFE review after submission,with an average period of 2-4 working days.

Common Problems:

• Obtaining SWIFT code: Contact the opening bank of the basic account,some banks support online query in 2026;
• Opening a foreign exchange account: Need to apply for a "current account foreign exchange account" at the opening bank of the basic account,which can be activated within 1 working day after approval;
• Quota limit: In 2026,the annual foreign exchange receipt and payment quota for small and micro enterprises has been increased to 5 million US dollars,and excess quota needs to be filed in advance.

Support from Zhongshen:

Mr.Bi from Zhongshen will assist in filling in the directory registration information,and confirm the accuracy of the opening bank’s SWIFT code in advance (some bank codes are updated in 2026); we will coordinate with the bank to assist in opening the foreign exchange account,and provide quota filing guidelines for excess quota needs to avoid delays in foreign exchange receipt and payment.

(3) Export Tax Refund Qualification Certification

The goal is to obtain export tax refund qualification.In 2026,this certification has been integrated into the "Shanghai Electronic Tax Bureau",and there is no need to submit materials offline.

• Key Actions:
  • Log in to the Electronic Tax Bureau and enter the "Export Tax Refund Management" module;
  • Select "Export Tax Refund Qualification Certification" and fill in the tax refund bank account information (must be consistent with the foreign exchange account);
  • Upload scanned copies of customs registration receipt and tax registration certificate;
  • Wait for tax review after submission,with an average period of 3-7 working days.

Common Problems:

• Small-scale taxpayer tax refund: Only zero-tax rate products are allowed to apply for tax refunds,and general goods exports are subject to tax exemption policies;
• Account consistency requirement: In 2026,the tax department will strictly check the opening banks of the tax refund account and foreign exchange account,and the application will be rejected if they are inconsistent;
• Instant Declaration and Instant Refund Pilot: Some areas in Shanghai have opened the "Instant Declaration and Instant Refund" pilot for small and micro enterprises,and the funds will arrive within 3 working days after approval.

Support from Zhongshen:

Ms.Feng from Zhongshen will assist in completing the Electronic Tax Bureau certification operation,and check the account consistency in advance; for small-scale taxpayers,we provide tax exemption declaration guidelines; for "Instant Declaration and Instant Refund" pilot enterprises,we will prioritize assisting in submitting tax refund materials to shorten the arrival time of funds.

3.Qualification Verification and System Activation

(1) Core Actions and Common Problems

The goal is to confirm that all qualifications are valid and ensure normal export business operations.In 2026,enterprises are required to complete system testing before their first export:

• Key Actions:
  • Log in to the Single Window to check the customs registration status;
  • Log in to the Digital Foreign Exchange Management Platform to confirm that the foreign exchange directory is "Normal";
  • Log in to the Electronic Tax Bureau to check whether the tax refund qualification is effective;
  • Entrust Zhongshen to test the customs declaration form declaration function.

Common Problems:

• Verification failed: Supplement materials according to the prompts,and online supplementary transmission is supported in 2026;
• System declaration failure: Contact customs technical support,or entrust Zhongshen to troubleshoot the Single Window configuration;
• Notes for first business: The customs declaration form information must be completely consistent with the contract and invoice,otherwise it will affect the tax refund.

(2) Support from Zhongshen

Mr.Zeng from Zhongshen will fully assist in qualification verification,and provide a list of supplementary materials for failed cases; during the first export,we will fully assist in customs declaration form declaration and invoice issuance to ensure information consistency; in 2026,we launched the "Qualification Verification Green Channel",and cooperative customers can complete the test first to shorten the business start-up time.

4.Subsequent Maintenance and Common Changes

(1) Maintenance Requirements and Common Problems

The goal is to ensure that qualifications remain valid and avoid business interruptions caused by information changes:

• Core Actions:
  • Complete the annual customs registration verification from January to March each year (upload the previous year’s customs declaration data);
  • Complete the annual SAFE directory verification from April to June each year (upload foreign exchange receipt and payment data);
  • Handle changes with various departments within 30 days after information changes (legal representative,address,etc.).

Common Problems:

• Overdue annual verification: Need to make up,and some regions will affect customs declaration authority;
• Failure to handle information changes in time: Will lead to restricted foreign exchange receipt and payment or tax refund failure;
• Expired qualification: The re-application process is consistent with the new application,and the approval cycle is shortened to 2 working days.

(2) Support from Zhongshen

Zhongshen has established a "Qualification Maintenance Reminder System" for cooperative customers,reminding them to prepare materials one month before the annual verification; provide a list of changes with various departments when information changes,and complete all procedures within 30 days; in 2026,we launched the "Qualification Custody Service" to fully handle all maintenance work,allowing enterprises to focus on business expansion.

Zhongshen has been deeply engaged in the foreign trade agency industry for more than 20 years,and is familiar with the policy details and process nodes of Shanghai export qualification application in 2026.From pre-review to subsequent maintenance,we can help enterprises avoid risks such as material errors and process delays in each link,shortening the overall application cycle from the industry average of 25 working days to less than 15 working days.If you want to quickly obtain export qualifications and focus on overseas market expansion,you can contact Zhongshen’s professional team for one-on-one service support.