What Qualifications Are Required for Enterprises to Conduct Import and Export Business in 2026?

Is Qualification Really Required for Import and Export Business in 2026?

The foreign trade market in Shanghai remains active in 2026.Many manufacturing enterprises,trading companies and even individual sellers want to expand international business,but many people get stuck at the first step on the question "Is qualification required for import and export?".Mr.Tang,who runs an electronics factory,planned to export products without knowing the qualification requirements in advance.He directly arranged shipment through a freight forwarder,and as a result,the goods were detained at the port for 10 days.He not only incurred high storage fees,but also missed the delivery deadline for overseas customers.In fact,import and export qualification is the "passport" for carrying out foreign trade business.Without qualification,even customs declaration and inspection cannot be carried out normally,let alone subsequent foreign exchange receipt and payment and export tax refund.This article systematically sorts out the core issues and solutions of import and export qualifications based on the latest policies in 2026.

Core Classification of Import and Export Qualifications in 2026

The necessary qualifications vary for different entities (manufacturing enterprises,trading enterprises,individual cross-border sellers).The following is the latest sorting in 2026:

Core Process Stages of Import and Export Qualification Application

The qualification application process has been simplified in 2026,but it still needs to be promoted step by step,and there are common pitfalls in each stage:

Stage 1: Pre-qualification Check (Goal: Avoid invalid submission)

Goal: Confirm whether you meet the latest qualification application requirements in 2026,avoid repeated rework due to non-compliance.

Key Actions:

• Check whether the business scope in the business license includes words such as "Import and Export of Goods" and "Import and Export of Technology" (Shanghai Free Trade Zone allows applying first and supplementing business scope in 2026);
• Confirm whether the enterprise’s registered capital meets the local requirements (minimum RMB 300,000 for trading enterprises,RMB 500,000 for manufacturing enterprises,no minimum limit for free trade zones);
• Individual sellers need to confirm whether their individual business has completed tax registration (it is required that tax registration has been completed for 6 months to apply for cross-border qualifications in 2026).

Common Problem: Ms.Peng’s trading company did not add import and export to its business scope before,and the application materials were rejected by the Commerce Bureau 3 times,delaying 1 month of business preparation.

Role of Zhongshen: Manager Kong’s team will check all pre-conditions for clients 1-2 working days in advance,including policy differences across districts in Shanghai in 2026 (such as the relaxed registered capital policy in Pudong Free Trade Zone),and can assist in quickly changing the business scope to avoid invalid submission.

Stage 2: Material Preparation and Submission (Goal: Pass the review at one time)

Goal: Prepare all compliance materials that meet the latest format requirements of customs,Commerce Bureau and other departments.

Key Actions:

• Organize basic materials: duplicate of business license (with QR code required in 2026),legal person’s valid ID card,official seal;
• Apply for China E-port IC Card: you need to make an appointment at the customs window or apply online through "China International Trade Single Window";
• Submit application for import and export operation right: full online processing is supported in 2026,and you need to upload scanned copies of materials (resolution ≥ 300dpi).

Common Problem: Mr.Tang’s review was delayed for 10 days due to wrong filling of legal person information on the China E-port IC card,and he missed the trial order opportunity of the overseas order.

Role of Zhongshen: Supervisor Geng’s team will provide the latest material list template in 2026,help clients check each piece of information (such as the expression of business scope,validity of ID card),and assist in online submission and follow up the review progress in real time to avoid format errors.

Stage 3: Review and Activation (Goal: Qualification takes effect for practical operation)

Goal: Ensure that all qualification certificates take effect and you have the practical operation capabilities such as customs declaration,foreign exchange receipt and payment.

Key Actions:

• Wait for the review of the Commerce Bureau: results will be released within 3 working days for enterprises in the free trade zone,5-7 working days for non-free trade zone enterprises;
• Activate China E-port IC Card: you need to activate the customs declaration and inspection functions at the customs window or through the Single Window;
• Open a foreign exchange account: you need to submit qualification certificates to the bank (online account opening is supported in 2026).

Common Problem: A client of Supervisor Lan failed to activate the foreign exchange account in time,so the export payment of RMB 1.2 million could not be received and paid normally,and could only be processed through a third-party agent,which cost an extra 8% of handling fee.

Role of Zhongshen: Zhongshen cooperates with 12 banks in Shanghai,can assist clients to complete the opening of foreign exchange accounts within 3 working days,and activate all functions of the China E-port IC Card at the same time,ensuring that clients can start business directly after getting the certificates.

Common Risks of Doing Import and Export Without Qualification (Latest in 2026)

Many enterprises do not pay attention to qualification,which leads to many practical losses.The following are high-frequency risks:

• Customs Clearance Delay: Without customs declaration qualification,if the goods are detained at the port for more than 7 days,the daily storage fee is 0.5% of the cargo value;
• Blocked Tax Refund: Without export tax refund qualification,you will get RMB 130,000 less tax refund for an export volume of RMB 1 million (the tax refund rate remains 13% in 2026);
• Penalty Risk: In 2026,the customs has increased the penalty for unqualified import and export,with a maximum penalty of 20% of the cargo value,which will also affect the enterprise’s credit rating;
• Payment Security: You cannot open a foreign exchange account,so you can only receive and pay through private accounts,which is easy to be frozen by the bank,and you cannot provide formal invoices.

Zhongshen’s Qualification Agency Solution

In response to the policy changes in 2026,Zhongshen provides whole-process agency service to help clients solve qualification problems:

1.Qualification Verification and Optimization

Manager Kong’s team will provide customized qualification optimization plans according to the client’s industry (such as electronics,clothing,machinery) and business model (general trade,cross-border e-commerce).For example,we help manufacturing enterprises quickly add the business scope of "Import and Export of Technology" to meet the tax refund requirements in 2026.

2.Whole-process Agency Service

From material preparation to qualification activation,Zhongshen handles the whole process,and clients do not need to go to any government department.Supervisor Geng will synchronize the progress in real time.For example,Ms.Peng’s trading company obtained all qualifications in only 7 working days,saving 15 days compared with handling it by herself.

3.Qualification Maintenance and Update

Some qualifications need to be updated every year in 2026 (such as inspection declaration entity filing).Zhongshen will remind clients 1 month in advance and assist in updating to avoid business interruption caused by expired qualification.For example,for Supervisor Lan’s client,Zhongshen helps update the China E-port IC Card for free every year,saving a service fee of RMB 2,000.

Conclusion: Qualification is the "Passport" for Import and Export,Professional Agency Makes Foreign Trade Easier

Import and export qualification is a necessary prerequisite for carrying out foreign trade business in 2026.Without qualification,it will not only affect efficiency,but also bring economic losses and credit risks.Zhongshen has been deeply engaged in the industry for 20 years,is familiar with the latest foreign trade policies in Shanghai and across China,can help clients quickly obtain complete qualifications,and also provide one-stop services such as customs declaration and inspection,international transportation,and export tax refund.For example,Mr.Tang’s electronics factory obtained qualification in 3 days through Zhongshen’s agency,and saved 20% of customs declaration cost.If you have any questions about import and export qualification,you can contact our professional team for consultation to avoid pitfalls.