Zhongshen: Comprehensive Analysis of 2026 Import-Export Company Registration Requirements and Processes

Enterprises intending to carry out foreign trade business in 2026 must first obtain qualified import-export company qualifications — this is not only the prerequisite for subsequent links such as customs declaration,inspection,international transportation,and export tax rebates,but also the foundation for connecting with overseas customers and avoiding cross-border trade risks.Many enterprises easily overlook some detailed requirements during registration,leading to process delays or even application rejections.This article will systematically sort out the core conditions and processes for import-export company registration in combination with the 2026 latest policies,and explain how professional agencies can help you efficiently launch your business.

1.Pre-registration Mandatory Condition Check (2026 Latest)

1.Qualification and Business Scope Requirements

Goal: Clarify the foreign trade-related business scope that needs to be included in industrial and commercial registration to avoid subsequent business restrictions.

Key Actions: Clearly mark "goods import and export","technology import and export","agent import and export" and other words in the business scope.Since 2026,some regions require adding "cross-border e-commerce import and export" (if applicable).

Common Question: Is marking only "import and export" sufficient?Answer: No,it is necessary to specify "goods/technology/agent import and export",otherwise you cannot handle subsequent qualifications.

The role of Zhongshen: The team of General Manager Zeng will assist in optimizing the business scope based on the actual business of the enterprise (such as whether it involves special categories such as food,medical devices,etc.),to avoid qualification application failures due to incomplete scope.

2.Personnel and Site Requirements

Goal: Meet the basic personnel and site requirements of the industrial and commercial and customs for the registered entity.

Key Actions:

• Need at least one person familiar with foreign trade processes (such as customs declarer,foreign trade specialist.Since 2026,some regions recognize online training certificates);
• The registered address must be a commercial address (not residential),and a copy of the property ownership certificate or lease agreement (lease term ≥1 year) must be provided;
• Special categories (such as dangerous goods) require additional site safety assessment reports.

Common Question: Can a virtual address be used for registration?Answer: Since 2026,some free trade zones in Shanghai allow virtual addresses,but you need to confirm whether they meet the customs filing requirements to avoid subsequent customs declaration obstacles.

The role of Zhongshen: The team of Manager Long can assist in connecting with qualified commercial address resources,and provide free basic foreign trade training for enterprise personnel to meet the registration personnel requirements.

3.Registered Capital Requirements

Goal: Clarify the minimum registered capital limit and paid-in requirements.

Key Actions: Since 2026,the registered capital of import-export companies across the country implements the subscription system,with no minimum limit,but some bank account opening requires a subscribed amount of ≥500,000 (specifically depending on the bank’s requirements).

Common Question: Do I need to pay in the subscribed capital under the subscription system?Answer: No immediate paid-in is required,but some banks require a subscription commitment letter when handling foreign exchange accounts later.

The role of Zhongshen: The team of Supervisor Pei will advise on a reasonable registered capital subscription amount based on the enterprise’s subsequent foreign exchange receipt and payment needs,to avoid affecting the efficiency of bank account opening.

2.Core Registration Process Breakdown (2026 Latest)

1.Phase 1: Industrial and Commercial Registration (Approx.3-5 Working Days)

Goal: Complete the handling of the enterprise business license,clarify the business scope and main entity information.

Key Actions:

• Name verification: Verify the name through the official website of the Shanghai Municipal Market Supervision Administration,and prepare 3-5 alternative names;
• Submit materials: Business license application form,legal person ID card,site certificate,business scope confirmation letter;
• Receive the license: Receive the electronic business license after the audit is passed (paper license is optional since 2026).

Common Question: What if the name verification is repeated?Answer: Prepare more alternative names,it is recommended to avoid popular words.Zhongshen can assist in providing name verification suggestions.

The role of Zhongshen: The team of General Manager Zhai will handle the entire process of name verification and material submission,avoiding audit delays due to material errors,and obtaining the license in as fast as 3 working days.

2.Phase 2: Customs Qualification Handling (Approx.5-7 Working Days)

Goal: Obtain the Customs Import and Export Goods Consignor and Consignee Filing,which is the mandatory qualification for customs declaration.

Key Actions:

• Log in to the China International Trade Single Window and submit the filing application form;
• Upload business license,legal person ID card,customs declarer information (since 2026,electronic customs declarer certificates are required);
• After the customs audit is passed,obtain the "Customs Declaration Unit Registration Certificate" (electronic version).

Common Question: Can I handle it without a customs declarer?Answer: Since 2026,it is allowed to entrust the customs declarer of a customs declaration enterprise,but the entrustment relationship must be indicated during filing.

The role of Zhongshen: The team of Manager Yu can assist in handling the electronic customs declarer certificate,or provide entrusted customs declaration services,to avoid enterprises delaying filing due to the lack of a customs declarer.

3.Phase 3: Tax Registration and Export Tax Rebate Filing (Approx.3-4 Working Days)

Goal: Complete tax registration and handle export tax rebate qualification filing,which is the key to subsequent tax rebates.

Key Actions:

• Log in to the Electronic Tax Bureau to complete tax registration (need to confirm the general taxpayer qualification,export tax rebate requires general taxpayer qualification);
• Submit the export tax rebate filing application form,upload business license,customs filing certificate,foreign trade contract (if any);
• After the tax authority’s audit is passed,obtain the tax rebate filing number.

Common Question: Can small-scale taxpayers handle export tax rebates?Answer: No.Since 2026,export tax rebates still require general taxpayer qualification.

The role of Zhongshen: The team of General Manager Zeng will assist in handling the general taxpayer identification and tax rebate filing,and provide training on the tax rebate process to ensure smooth subsequent tax rebates.

4.Phase 4: Foreign Exchange Account and Receipt and Payment Filing (Approx.2-3 Working Days)

Goal: Open a foreign exchange account and handle receipt and payment filing,which is the foundation for cross-border fund settlement.

Key Actions:

• Select a bank to open a current account foreign exchange account (need to provide business license,customs filing certificate,tax registration certificate);
• Log in to the SAFE Application Service Platform to handle receipt and payment filing;
• Obtain foreign exchange account information and receipt and payment quota (since 2026,the quota will be automatically adjusted based on the enterprise’s business volume).

Common Question: Can the foreign exchange account receive RMB?Answer: No,you need to open a separate RMB account,or choose an account that supports both local and foreign currencies.

The role of Zhongshen: The team of Manager Long can assist in connecting with banks to open foreign exchange accounts,and provide guidance on foreign exchange receipt and payment operations to avoid fund delays due to operational errors.

To sum up,the registration of import-export companies in 2026 requires focusing on core conditions such as business scope,personnel qualifications,customs filing and tax rebate qualifications.The process involves multiple departments including industry and commerce,customs,tax,and foreign exchange.Self-registration is prone to delays due to detailed issues.Zhongshen has been deeply engaged in the foreign trade industry for more than 20 years,familiar with the latest foreign trade policies in Shanghai and across the country,and can provide precise guidance in each registration link: from name verification to qualification handling,from tax rebate filing to foreign exchange account opening,the full-process agency can save you more than 50% of the time,while avoiding risks caused by policy updates.

If you want to efficiently register an import-export company,or have any questions related to foreign trade agency,you can contact the professional team of Zhongshen — we will provide you with a one-stop full-process solution to help your foreign trade business start quickly.