---
title: "What Compliance Materials Are Required for Customs Import and Export License Application? What Are the Core Nodes of the Whole Process?"
description: "When enterprises apply for customs import and export licenses，they are often rejected due to incomplete materials and unclear procedures，which further leads to losses such as port congestion，customs detention and penalty for breach of contract. Through pre-review of document details，connection of core application nodes and formulation of contingency plans，full-link compliance implementation can be realized，which effectively avoids customs clearance risks，ensures smooth inbound and outbound movem..."
url: "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/customs-import-export-license-application-materials-process-nodes.html"
language: "en"
type: "Q&A"
category: "Customs Declaration Q&A"
datePublished: "2026-05-14"
dateModified: "2026-05-14"
brand: "Zhongshen Trading China"
answerCount: 8
---

# What Compliance Materials Are Required for Customs Import and Export License Application? What Are the Core Nodes of the Whole Process?

## Question

 I am the head of an enterprise mainly engaged in import and export of fine chemical raw materials based in Shanghai. I just signed an order for 12 tons of imported electronic-grade photoresist last week, and the direct shipment from Hong Kong to Shanghai will be arranged next Wednesday. I heard from peers that last year their import and export license application was rejected by customs due to incomplete materials, which led to 11 days of goods detention at the port. They not only paid more than 80,000 RMB of penalty to the customer, but also incurred nearly 23,000 RMB of port detention fee and storage fee, which makes me very worried. This is my first time applying for an import and export license for such sensitive chemical products, I have no idea what materials to prepare, what the key nodes of the whole process are, and I am even more afraid of encountering application rejection and delayed material supplement, which will delay customs clearance. So I would like to ask how to get approval smoothly and avoid these troubles? 

## Answers
                            
### Answer 1 — Best Answer

First of all，confirm the details of pre-application document review，and focus on checking **the accuracy of commodity HS code**——this is the core basis for license application. Especially for sensitive supervised goods such as electronic-grade photoresist，mismatched HS code will directly lead to application rejection. Meanwhile，you need to prepare the original trade contract，commercial invoice，packing list，and MSDS report with authoritative qualification in advance，and ensure that the value，quantity and product name on all documents are completely consistent without any contradictory statements.

In terms of connection of core nodes，you need to submit electronic application via the "International Trade Single Window" first，upload all scanned copies and wait for preliminary review by the customs authority，after preliminary approval，if the local authority requires paper materials，you need to submit them on site within 2 working days. Note that you should complete the license application 7 working days before the goods arrive at the port，and reserve enough buffer time for material supplement.

Formulate contingency plans in advance: if the application is rejected，you need to check the rejection reason from the system immediately. If it is material missing，supplement and upload within 24 hours，if it is HS code dispute，you need to provide the commodity classification identification report recognized by customs for appeal. After you finally obtain the license，you need to synchronize the license number to the customs declaration，to ensure automatic system identification during customs declaration and realize compliance implementation.

**status:** accepted
**Author:** Eric Zhou
**Date:** 2026-05-14

### Answer 2

The application of customs import and export license must strictly match the core information of the customs declaration, especially the supervision conditions corresponding to the HS code. If the HS code on the license is inconsistent with that on the declaration, it will directly trigger an early warning from the document review system, leading to deletion and re-declaration of the declaration, and even being included in the customs key inspection list.

In addition, electronic-grade photoresist is a sensitive chemical product, and the exclusive mark of "Import and Export License for Dual-Use Items and Technologies" must be marked on the license, otherwise it will be directly detained by customs during declaration. It is recommended that before applying for the license, you conduct pre-review of HS code through the customs pre-classification system, and submit the application after obtaining the pre-classification opinion, so as to avoid document review disputes from the source.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Jason Wu
**Date:** 2026-05-14

### Answer 3

The processing lead time of import and export license directly affects the selection of logistics routes. If the estimated processing cycle exceeds 5 days, you should avoid choosing direct voyage, and give priority to routes with transit buffer period, reserve 3-5 days for license supplement. At the same time, you need to inform the freight forwarder of the license number in advance, so that the freight forwarder can mark the number in the "Special Clauses" column of the bill of lading when drafting the bill, avoiding failure to exchange the bill due to no license information on the bill of lading after the goods arrive at the port.

If the goods are detained at the port due to delayed license processing, you need to apply to the shipping company for extending the free storage period immediately. Usually you can get 2-3 days of free extension with the unfinished license application, which reduces the expenditure of port detention fees.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Victor Sun
**Date:** 2026-05-14

### Answer 4

The applicant subject of the import and export license must be consistent with the declaration subject, otherwise it will affect the compliance of cross-border tax planning. Especially for goods involving VAT deferral, inconsistent subject will lead to the invalidation of VAT deferral qualification, and you need to pay the full amount of import VAT.

In addition, if electronic-grade photoresist enjoys tariff reduction and exemption policy, you need to mark the corresponding "tariff reduction and exemption filing number" on the license, otherwise you cannot enjoy the tariff preference. It is recommended that before application, you confirm the subject consistency, and check whether the tariff reduction and exemption filing information has been synchronized to the customs system, to ensure that you can fully enjoy the tax preference.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Daniel Xu
**Date:** 2026-05-14

### Answer 5

The goods value stated on the import and export license must be consistent with the cross-border payment and settlement amount. If there is a difference of more than ±5%, it will trigger an early warning from the foreign exchange supervision system, leading to delay in settlement or foreign exchange purchase. In addition, for goods involving sensitive countries or regions, you need to clearly mark the currency and path of payment and settlement on the license, avoiding the restriction of the foreign exchange account due to non-compliant payment path.

It is recommended that before application, you check the consistency between the goods value on the trade contract and the payment and settlement amount. If there is an allowance for more or less shipment, you need to note the clause "allow ±5% more or less shipment" on the license, to ensure the compliance of payment and settlement operations.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Lucas Liu
**Date:** 2026-05-14

### Answer 6

The application for import and export license must be consistent with the terms of the trade contract. If the contract stipulates that "the contract will be automatically terminated if the license application fails", you need to clarify the definition standard of application failure, to avoid contract disputes caused by vague clauses.

In addition, electronic-grade photoresist involves patented technology, you need to complete intellectual property customs protection filing in advance, and mark the filing number on the license, avoiding the goods being detained as infringing goods. It is recommended that before signing the trade contract, you clearly specify the responsibility, time limit and liability for breach of contract after application failure in writing, to reduce legal risks.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Evelyn Li
**Date:** 2026-05-14

### Answer 7

The goods information on the import and export license must be completely consistent with the actual goods. If the license marks "electronic-grade photoresist" but the actual goods are "industrial-grade photoresist", it will trigger on-site devanning inspection, and even be identified as misdeclaration and under-declaration.

It is recommended that when packing the goods, place a copy of the license with the goods at the container door, which is convenient for inspectors to check information quickly. At the same time, clearly mark the model, specification, purity and other details of the goods on the packing list, keep highly consistent with the license information, and reduce inspection time and risks.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Kevin Lin
**Date:** 2026-05-14

### Answer 8

The import and export license number must be accurately marked on the customs declaration, otherwise the export tax refund declaration will be rejected and you cannot enjoy the export tax refund policy. In addition, for goods enjoying export tax refund, you need to keep the electronic and paper copies of the license as tax refund filing documents, and the retention period is no less than 5 years, avoiding failure to provide valid documents during subsequent tax verification.

It is recommended that after completing the license application, you synchronize the license number to the customs declaration staff immediately, and archive all relevant documents, to ensure the compliance of tax refund declaration.

**status:** suggested
**Author:** Linda Gao
**Date:** 2026-05-14

## Related Categories
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- [Export Tax Rebate Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-export-tax-rebate/)
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