Key Points of the Full Process for Import and Export Trade Right Handling in 2026

1.Import and Export Trade Right: The Essential Entry Requirement for Foreign Trade Businesses

Mr.Zhu in Shanghai recently wanted to sell his own electronic products to Southeast Asia,but after visiting the commerce department,he found that he could not declare customs without import and export trade rights — this was his first hurdle in starting foreign trade business.In 2026,the Shanghai foreign trade market continues to heat up,with many small,medium and micro enterprises (SMEs) wanting to get a share of the pie.As the "entry certificate" for foreign trade businesses,import and export trade rights involve processes from multiple departments including commerce,customs,tax and foreign exchange,and one may easily make mistakes if not careful.This article combines the latest 2026 policies to sort out the core links of the entire process,and also explains what problems professional agencies can help you solve.

2.Breakdown of Core Stages for Import and Export Trade Right Handling in 2026

(1) Pre-Processing: Qualification Verification and Material Pre-Review

Objective: Confirm whether the enterprise meets the handling requirements to avoid direct rejection due to unqualified qualifications.

Key Actions:

• Check whether the business scope of the business license includes words such as "goods import and export" and "technology import and export".If not,first complete the industrial and commercial change;
• Confirm that the enterprise has no customs dishonesty records,tax abnormal accounts and other issues;
• Prepare basic materials such as the copy of business license,legal person ID card and official seal.

Common Problems: Mr.Zhu’s company previously only had "electronic product sales" in its business scope,and did not add import and export related content,which led to the rejection of the commerce department filing and delayed the process by 1 week.

Role of Zhongshen: Director Qi will first help customers check the business license scope.If changes are needed,he can connect to the Shanghai industrial and commercial green channel (completed in as fast as 1 working day in 2026); synchronize the latest 2026 customs dishonesty list to avoid customers making mistakes due to historical issues.

(2) Commerce Department Filing: Obtain Foreign Trade Operation Right Certificate

Objective: Complete the Ministry of Commerce filing and obtain the "Registration Form for Foreign Trade Operators",which is the basis for subsequent customs and tax filings.

Key Actions:

• Log in to the "Ministry of Commerce Unified Business System" and fill in basic enterprise information,import and export commodity catalog and other contents;
• In 2026,the platform has optimized the industrial and commercial information synchronization function,but manual supplementation of import and export details such as HS codes is required;
• Wait for 3-5 working days for review after submission (handled by the enterprise itself).

Common Problems: Mr.Cui has encountered customers who filled in HS codes incorrectly,for example,filling "smart watches" as "ordinary watches",which led to inconsistent categories in subsequent customs inspection and quarantine,requiring re-filing.

Role of Zhongshen: Director Qu’s team has the latest 2026 HS code database,which will help customers accurately match the commodity catalog; monitor the review status in real time after submission,and supplement materials within 1 hour if there is a rejection,shortening the filing cycle to within 2 days.

(3) Customs Filing: Unlock Customs Declaration and Inspection Authority

Objective: Obtain the "Customs Import and Export Goods Consignor Filing Receipt" and obtain customs declaration and inspection qualifications.

Key Actions:

• Log in to the "China International Trade Single Window" and submit the customs registration application,fill in enterprise address,contact person and other information;
• Apply for the E-Port IC card synchronously (the card making cycle is shortened to 2 working days in 2026);
• 15% of enterprises need to accept on-site customs inspection (exemption from inspection if the registered address is consistent with the actual operating address).

Common Problems: A customer of Manager Jia was required by customs to supplement the lease agreement due to the inconsistency between the registered address and the actual operating address,which delayed the process by 3 days; another customer forgot to apply for the IC card,making it impossible to declare customs online.

Role of Zhongshen: Director Qi will confirm the consistency of the enterprise address in advance,and assist in preparing supplementary materials if they are inconsistent; fully handle the IC card application,and guide the enterprise to prepare warehouses and goods samples in advance to ensure one-time approval.

(4) Tax Filing: Connect to Export Tax Rebate Policies

Objective: Complete the export tax rebate filing and enjoy the 2026 Shanghai export tax rebate policy with funds arriving within 7 working days.

Key Actions:

• Log in to the electronic tax bureau and submit the "Export Tax Rebate (Exemption) Filing Form";
• Upload materials such as business license and customs filing receipt;
• Manufacturing enterprises need to supplement the production capacity certificate (equipment list,employee social security records,etc.).

Common Problems: Mr.Zhu’s company failed to file in time,and the tax rebate for the first export business was delayed by 2 months; another customer filled in the tax rebate bank account incorrectly,resulting in the failure of the rebate funds to arrive.

Role of Zhongshen: Director Qu’s team accurately matches the 2026 tax rebate policies,focusing on checking key information such as tax rebate accounts; assist manufacturing enterprises in preparing production capacity certificates to avoid rejection due to incomplete materials.

(5) Foreign Exchange Filing: Open Foreign Exchange Receipt and Payment Accounts

Objective: Complete the foreign exchange administration bureau filing and open foreign exchange settlement accounts.

Key Actions:

• Log in to the "State Administration of Foreign Exchange Digital Foreign Exchange Management Platform" and submit foreign exchange receipt and payment filing;
• Select a bank to open a foreign exchange account (multiple banks support online opening in 2026);
• Complete the account information filing.

Common Problems: Mr.Cui has encountered customers whose selected banks have insufficient foreign exchange authority,leading to delayed foreign exchange receipt and payment; another customer forgot to file account information,making it impossible to conduct foreign exchange declaration.

Role of Zhongshen: Director Qi will recommend suitable banks based on the customer’s business scale (account opening at cooperative banks is completed within 1 working day in 2026); fully handle foreign exchange filing to ensure accurate account information.

3.Self-Handling vs.Zhongshen Agency: Time Comparison in 2026

4.Core Value of Zhongshen: Avoid Detours in Trade Right Handling

Although the import and export trade right handling process has been optimized in 2026,non-professional teams still easily take more than 20 days to complete the process due to incorrect materials and lagging policy updates.Zhongshen has been engaged in foreign trade agency for over 20 years,with dedicated personnel coordinating every link:

• Forecast 2026 policy changes in advance (such as HS code adjustments,shortened tax rebate cycle) to help customers avoid risks;
• Connect to green channels of various departments to shorten the time of each link;
• Provide follow-up foreign trade supporting services (customs declaration,tax rebate,foreign exchange) so that customers can focus on business expansion.

Mr.Zhu previously delayed the process by 2 weeks when handling it by himself,but after contacting Zhongshen,he completed all the processes in only 10 days and successfully carried out his first export business.If you want to efficiently handle import and export trade rights,you may choose a professional agency to avoid pitfalls.