Detailed Explanation of 2026 Import & Export Right Application Process

Import & Export Right: The Must-Have Entry Ticket for Foreign Trade Enterprises

In 2026,the scale of Shanghai’s cross-border e-commerce and general trade continues to grow.Many traditional manufacturing enterprises want to directly connect with overseas customers,but without import and export right,they cannot conduct independent customs declaration and receive foreign exchange,and can only rely on agency companies to "borrow qualification" — this not only increases costs,but may also cause delays in cargo circulation due to information opacity.Manager Gong from Zhongshen has served many such enterprises: an electronics factory tried to do foreign trade in 2025,and due to failing to apply for the right in advance,its first shipment was detained at the port for 3 days,causing a loss of nearly 10,000 RMB.It is clear that obtaining import and export right in advance is the fundamental prerequisite for enterprises to expand foreign trade.

Full Process Breakdown of 2026 Import & Export Right Application (with Zhongshen Service Milestones)

After policy optimization in 2026,the application process has changed from "multi-department sequential processing" to "partial parallel processing",and the overall timeline has been compressed from 10 working days to 5 working days.However,material details of each link still require attention.Below is the breakdown of core stages:

Stage 1: Pre-application Preparation — Qualification Pre-review and Material Sorting

Stage Objective: Confirm the enterprise meets application requirements and avoid rework due to basic qualification issues.

Key Actions:

• Check the business scope on the business license: It needs to include expressions such as "import and export of goods" and "import and export of technology".If not,you need to modify the business scope first;
• Prepare core materials: Original and copy of the legal representative’s ID card,duplicate of business license (electronic signature version required from 2026),and official seal;
• Dishonesty record check: Confirm the enterprise and its legal representative have no dishonesty records in customs and taxation (from 2026,dishonesty record inquiry can be completed with one click via "Shanghai Government Service Online").

Common Question: What if the business scope does not include import and export business?

Supervisor Qu from Zhongshen states that they can assist enterprises to complete business scope change within 1-2 working days,and submit the import and export right application simultaneously,avoiding the time gap of "change first,apply later".

Stage 2: Multi-department Filing — Core Qualification Processing

From 2026,departments including the Bureau of Commerce,Customs,and State Administration of Foreign Exchange have realized "data sharing",allowing partial materials to be reused.Below are the key processing points for each department:

Stage 3: Qualification Activation — Key Function Activation and Testing

Stage Objective: Ensure the import and export right can be used normally,avoid disruption to the first order of business.

Key Actions:

• Activate China E-port Card: The legal representative or authorized person is required to be present for processing (online application with face recognition is supported from 2026);
• Test the customs declaration system: Log in to "China International Trade Single Window" to verify the functions of declaration form entry and submission;
• Test foreign exchange receipt and payment: Receive a small amount of foreign exchange (such as sample payment) through the bank account to confirm normal settlement.

Common Question: What if China E-port Card activation fails?

Supervisor Mai from Zhongshen says that they have a dedicated person liaising with the E-port operation and maintenance team,and can solve activation problems within 1 hour (such as failed face recognition,incorrect information entry,etc.),avoiding impact on the enterprise’s first customs declaration.

Stage 4: Post-approval Maintenance — Qualification Validity and Change Reminder

Stage Objective: Ensure the qualification remains valid,avoid invalidation caused by information change.

Key Actions:

• Pay attention to validity: From 2026,the customs declaration entity certificate needs to be renewed every 5 years,and the E-port Card needs to be renewed every 2 years;
• Update information in time: After changes of the enterprise’s legal representative,address or business scope,the filing with all relevant departments must be updated within 30 days.

Zhongshen Service: Provide free qualification expiration reminder (notify 30 days in advance),assist in preparing all materials for information change,and complete the full process update within 3 working days.

Core Value of Zhongshen in Application

Compared with self-application by enterprises,Zhongshen’s service helps enterprises solve three major pain points:

• Material pre-review: Check issues such as dishonesty records and business scope in advance,reduce rework rate by over 80%;
• Parallel processing: Process procedures with the Bureau of Commerce,Customs,Foreign Exchange Administration and other departments simultaneously,compress the overall timeline from 10 working days to 5 working days;
• Risk avoidance: Familiar with the latest 2026 policies (such as simplified foreign exchange registration requirements,online E-port application process),avoid application failure caused by policy updates.

Conclusion: Professional Agency Helps You Avoid Detours in Qualification Application

Although the 2026 import and export right application process has been simplified,it still requires familiarity with the detailed requirements of various departments — such as foreign exchange account type,E-port activation steps,etc.Self-applying enterprises often face delays due to "information gap".Zhongshen has been deeply engaged in the foreign trade industry for 20 years,and has helped thousands of Shanghai enterprises obtain import and export right quickly.If you want to learn more about specific application details,you can consult our exclusive consultant.