---
title: "Full Process Guide for Enterprises to Apply for Import and Export Qualifications in 2026 - Zhongshen Trading China"
description: "In 2026，as global trade continues to deepen，more than 30,000 small，medium and micro enterprises in Shanghai plan to expand their foreign trade business，but over 60% of them are hindered by unfamiliarity with the import and export qualification application process. Many enterprises suffer from delayed approval due to missing materials or mistakes in the process，which even affects their first foreign trade order. General Manager Fu of Zhongshen pointed out that enterprises should focus on three co..."
url: "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/news/2026-enterprise-import-export-qualification-full-process-guide.html"
language: "en"
type: "Article"
category: "Industry News"
datePublished: "2026-10-12"
dateModified: "2026-10-12"
brand: "Zhongshen Trading China"
image: "https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/FlhE62RmhMqII.webp"
---

# Full Process Guide for Enterprises to Apply for Import and Export Qualifications in 2026

## I.Preparatory Stage Before Import and Export Qualification Application

In 2026,foreign trade supervision in Shanghai is further refined.Enterprises must complete qualification filing before carrying out import and export business,otherwise they cannot complete customs declaration and inspection,and even face the risk of order breach of contract.The core of this stage is to confirm whether the enterprise meets the basic conditions to avoid blind submission of materials.

![Shanghai Enterprises Applying for Import and Export Qualifications: Avoid These Pitfalls to Double Efficiency](https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/FlhE62RmhMqII.webp)

### 1.Self-check List of Basic Conditions

- The business scope of the enterprise’s business license includes relevant expressions such as "import and export of goods" and "import and export of technology" (explicit listing is required in 2026,vague expressions will not be accepted)
- The enterprise has completed tax registration,and its tax payment status in the past 6 months is normal (no records of tax arrears or missed declarations)
- The legal representative has no violation records in the field of foreign trade (new supervision requirement in 2026,which needs to be queried through Credit China)
- The enterprise has a fixed office space (no actual warehouse is required,but a lease contract or property right certificate shall be provided,and the lease term shall cover more than 1 year)

**Role of Zhongshen**: General Manager Fu suggests that enterprises first upload three core materials such as business license and tax registration certificate through Zhongshen’s free qualification pre-review system,and get feedback on whether they meet the conditions within 1 working day,so as to avoid rework in the follow-up process due to failure to meet basic conditions.

## II.Core Qualification Application and Filing Stage

This stage is the core of the processing process.It is necessary to complete the application and filing of three key qualifications,and each step must meet the latest policy requirements of 2026.

### 1.Filing Registration of Foreign Trade Operators

**Objective**: Obtain foreign trade operation qualification,which is the prerequisite for subsequent customs filing.

**Key Actions**:

![Shanghai Enterprises Applying for Import and Export Qualifications: Avoid These Pitfalls to Double Efficiency](https://cndpic.sh-zhongshen.com/uploads/tradepics/flpwuSbqYgv14.webp)

- Log in to the Unified Platform of Ministry of Commerce Business Systems,and fill in basic enterprise information,business scope and legal representative information
- Upload materials: copy of business license (scanned copy with official seal is required in 2026),front and back of legal representative’s ID card,official seal impression (the full name and code of the enterprise shall be clearly displayed)
- Within 5 working days after submission,you need to go to the local Bureau of Commerce to verify the original documents offline (some districts support online verification in 2026,please consult in advance)

**Common Problems**: Some enterprises are rejected due to blurred official seal impression.In 2026,the impression shall use black ink,and the scanning resolution shall not be less than 300dpi.

**Role of Zhongshen**: Provide the latest material templates of 2026,arrange special personnel to assist in online filling,and accompany the submission during offline verification to ensure one-time pass and avoid unnecessary trips for enterprises.

### 2.Filing of Customs Consignor and Consignee of Import and Export Goods

**Objective**: Obtain the 10-digit Customs Code and have the authority of customs declaration and inspection.

**Key Actions**:

- Log in to China International Trade Single Window and enter the "Customs Filing" module
- Upload materials: Filing Registration Form of Foreign Trade Operators,copy of business license,impression of special customs declaration seal (need to be made in advance,and the style shall meet the requirements of the customs)
- Within 3 working days after submission,the customs will send a verification notice (online verification is supported in 2026,no need to submit original documents on site)

**Common Problems**: The special customs declaration seal shall include the words "special customs declaration seal" and the full name of the enterprise.Some enterprises suffer from delays because the size of the seal does not meet the requirements (the diameter shall be between 3.5cm and 4cm).

**Role of Zhongshen**: Cooperate with formal seal making institutions to ensure that the seal style meets the latest requirements of the 2026 customs,and assist enterprises to complete filing on the Single Window,shortening the approval time by 3 working days.

### 3.Application for E-Port IC Card

**Objective**: Obtain operation authority for customs declaration,foreign exchange settlement,tax refund and other operations.

**Key Actions**:

- Submit enterprise information and materials: 10-digit Customs Code certificate,copy of business license,letter of authorization from the legal representative (official seal required)
- Go to the E-Port Center to apply for IC card and card reader,and pay the annual fee (the 2026 standard is 120 yuan per year)
- Activate the IC card on site and set the login password (the legal representative or authorized handler must be present)

**Common Problems**: The letter of authorization shall specify the authority of the handler.Some enterprises cannot activate the card due to incorrect format of the letter of authorization.

**Role of Zhongshen**: Assist enterprises to prepare qualified letters of authorization,arrange special personnel to accompany them to the site for activation,and avoid unnecessary trips for enterprises due to unauthorized handlers.

| Comparison Dimension | Handled by Enterprise Independently | Handled by Zhongshen as Agent |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Processing Cycle | 15-20 working days | 8-10 working days |
| Number of Material Corrections | 2-3 times on average | 0-1 times (after passing pre-review) |
| Number of Departments to Visit | 4-5 (commerce bureau,customs,e-port,etc.) | 0 (full online process + special personnel docking) |
| Adaptation to 2026 New Policies | Need to query and update independently | Automatically adapt to the latest policy requirements |

## III.Verification and Closing Stage

In this stage,on-site customs verification and qualification document archiving shall be completed to ensure that the enterprise has complete import and export operation authority.

### 1.On-site Customs Verification

**Objective**: Confirm that the actual operation situation of the enterprise meets the requirements of foreign trade business.

**Key Actions**: The customs will randomly select 30% of enterprises for on-site verification after filing,mainly checking:

- Whether the office space is real (must be consistent with the address on the business license)
- Whether the business scope matches the import and export business
- Whether there are full-time foreign trade personnel (at least 1 person with foreign trade operation experience is required in 2026)

**Common Problems**: Some enterprises fail to pass the verification because they have not filed the office address change with the market supervision authority in time,and need to re-apply after completing the industrial and commercial change.

**Role of Zhongshen**: Remind enterprises to confirm that the registered address with market supervision authority is consistent with the actual address in advance,and assist in preparing on-site materials (such as labor contracts of foreign trade personnel) before verification to ensure smooth passing.

### 2.Collection and Archiving of Qualification Documents

**Objective**: Obtain complete qualification documents to prepare for subsequent foreign trade business.

**Key Actions**: Collect the following documents and archive them properly:

- Filing Registration Form of Foreign Trade Operators (original copy)
- 10-digit Customs Code certificate (electronic version + paper version)
- E-Port IC card and card reader (including password envelope)
- Special customs declaration seal (shall be properly kept to avoid loss)

**Common Problems**: Some enterprises lose documents,and reissue takes an extra 3 working days,and reissue fee is required (IC card reissue costs 50 yuan per card).

**Role of Zhongshen**: Provide electronic backup service for all documents,and remind enterprises to store paper documents in a fixed safe to avoid loss.

## IV.Core Value of Zhongshen’s Agency Service

In 2026,the competition in Shanghai’s foreign trade market intensifies,and the efficiency of import and export qualification application directly affects the order acceptance capacity of enterprises.Zhongshen has been engaged in foreign trade agency for more than 20 years,and can help enterprises complete qualification application efficiently:

- **Accurate Policy Adaptation**: After the update of foreign trade supervision policies in 2026,Zhongshen updates the service process immediately to ensure that enterprises meet the latest requirements
- **50% Shorter Cycle**: Compared with independent handling by enterprises,the agency service can shorten the total cycle from 18 days to 9 days,without delaying the launch of foreign trade orders
- **Proactive Risk Avoidance**: Find material problems in advance through the pre-review system,and avoid order breach of contract caused by qualification problems (some foreign trade orders in 2026 require qualification certificates)
- **Full One-on-One Service**: Each enterprise is equipped with an exclusive account manager,who follows up the whole process from consultation to closing,eliminating the need for enterprises to repeatedly dock with multiple departments

Many small,medium and micro enterprises in Shanghai obtained complete qualification documents in only 8 days after applying for import and export qualifications through Zhongshen,and successfully accepted their first foreign trade order.If you have needs for import and export qualification application,you can contact Zhongshen’s professional consultants for consultation.

## Related Resources
- [Industry News](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/news/)
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