--- title: "What Mandatory Requirements and Specific Procedures Do Domestic Enterprises Need to Meet for Applying for Export Customs Declaration Qualification?" description: "Many small and medium-sized foreign trade enterprises and individual industrial and commercial households often encounter customs declaration delay and cargo detention risks caused by lack of qualification，and even face customs compliance penalties，due to lack of understanding of the mandatory requirements，procedures and compliance rules for export customs declaration qualification application. Through full-link breakdown of pre-document review，core node connection，contingency plan and complianc..." url: "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/export-customs-declaration-qualification-enterprise-application-requirements-process.html" language: "en" type: "Q&A" category: "Customs Declaration Q&A" datePublished: "2026-06-29" dateModified: "2026-06-29" brand: "Zhongshen Trading China" answerCount: 9 --- # What Mandatory Requirements and Specific Procedures Do Domestic Enterprises Need to Meet for Applying for Export Customs Declaration Qualification? ## Question I am the head of a newly established small and medium-sized foreign trade enterprise in Shanghai, which has been operating for half a year. We mainly export Nordic-style solid wood home products, and just closed our first order of 12 containers with a German client last week. The goods are already prepared in our warehouse in Songjiang District, and the freight forwarder notified that container loading and port entry will be arranged next Wednesday. I just realized today when sorting out documents that we haven't applied for export customs declaration qualification yet! I am extremely anxious now, worried that we will miss the shipment, incur port detention charges and container yard rent, and even lose the client. I have no idea what mandatory requirements our small enterprise with registered capital of 5 million RMB and no previous foreign trade experience needs to meet for self-operated customs declaration qualification, how long the whole procedure will take, and whether there is a compliant alternative solution if we cannot finish the application in time. Besides, I heard there are many pitfalls in qualification application in this industry, will we hit any pit that causes problems in subsequent customs declaration? ## Answers ### Answer 1 — Best Answer First，complete pre-application document review: You need to prepare in advance the business license (with import and export business included in business scope)，Foreign Trade Operator Registration Form，and Application for Customs Declaration Entity Registration with Customs. **Key check: Whether the business scope on the business license includes "import and export of goods" or "import and export of technology". If not，you need to complete industrial and commercial business change first，which can be finished in 1 working day at the fastest.** Core node connection: Submit the prepared documents to the customs at your registered location or apply online via the "Internet + Customs" platform. After customs approval，you will get the Certificate of Registration for Customs Declaration Entity. Online application can get the certificate within 3 working days at the fastest，while offline application takes 5-7 working days. Note that you need to fill in information such as your enterprise's unified social credit code and registered address accurately during application，to avoid rejection caused by inconsistent information. Contingency plan: If you cannot meet the shipment deadline，you can immediately entrust an agency company with self-operated customs declaration qualification to handle the declaration. You need to sign a formal agency customs declaration agreement to clarify the rights and responsibilities of both parties，and provide a full set of documents (contract，invoice，packing list，customs declaration power of attorney) to ensure the agency process is compliant. Final compliance implementation: After obtaining the qualification，you need to complete enterprise information filing on the Customs Single Window and bind the electronic port card，then you can conduct customs declaration business on your own，For enterprises that choose agency service，you need to keep the agency agreement and customs declaration documents for at least 3 years for future customs inspection. **status:** accepted **Author:** Victor Sun **Date:** 2026-06-29 ### Answer 2 When enterprises apply for self-operated customs declaration qualification, a common misunderstanding is that you can apply as long as you have a business license. In fact, you must also hold the Foreign Trade Operator Registration Form. If you do not complete this registration, the customs will directly reject your application, and supplementary registration takes at least 2 working days, which may delay your shipment. In addition, some enterprises fail the audit due to inconsistent registered address and actual operating address, or no import and export business in business license, which will further cause port detention and cargo detention risks, incur extra costs such as container yard rent and detention charges, and even affect the enterprise's customs credit rating. If you need urgent customs declaration, you can apply through the "Special Business Fast Track" recognized by the customs, but you need to additionally provide your enterprise's tax certificate for the past 3 months, original export contract and urgent shipment certificate issued by the freight forwarder to prove your enterprise's compliance and business authenticity. This channel can complete temporary qualification filing within 1 working day at the fastest, and supports single declaration. **status:** suggested **Author:** Eric Zhou **Date:** 2026-06-29 ### Answer 3 When enterprises without self-operated customs declaration qualification choose agency customs declaration, you should first check the agency's customs filing qualification (which can be queried via the Customs Single Window), to avoid declaration rejection and delay caused by incomplete qualification or low credit rating of the agency. In addition, you need to clarify the division of responsibilities for agency declaration, especially in cargo title control. You must clearly stipulate in the agency agreement that the agency is only responsible for declaration operation, and shall not dispose of the cargo or modify declaration information without authorization. If declaration delay occurs, you should immediately ask the agency to provide the delay explanation issued by customs and current review progress, so that you can apply to the shipping company for free storage period extension and reduce extra costs such as detention charges and container yard rent. Meanwhile, it is recommended to sign a "customs declaration timeliness commitment clause" with the agency, stipulating that if declaration delay is caused by the agency's operation error, the agency shall bear the corresponding economic loss. All communication records and documents should be kept for at least 3 years for future accountability. **status:** suggested **Author:** Michael Zhang **Date:** 2026-06-29 ### Answer 4 After obtaining self-operated customs declaration qualification, enterprises need to complete export tax (exemption) filing with the competent tax authority at the same time, otherwise you cannot enjoy the export tax (exemption) policy, which will cause unnecessary cost loss. In addition, if you choose agency declaration, you need to ensure that the agency declares the duty-paid price of the goods accurately, to avoid price verification initiated by the tax authority due to declared price deviating from market fair value, which delays export tax refund progress and even triggers tax audit. Meanwhile, you need to pay attention to the applicable conditions of VAT deferral policy in the export destination. If your enterprise meets the requirements, you can apply for deferral of import VAT payment during declaration, which effectively eases short-term capital pressure. It is specially reminded that no matter you adopt self-operated or agency declaration mode, you must strictly ensure the "four-flow consistency" of customs declaration form, VAT invoice, export contract and foreign exchange receipt voucher, to avoid tax refund rejection due to tax non-compliance, and even face penalties of supplementary tax payment, late payment surcharge and fine. **status:** suggested **Author:** Daniel Xu **Date:** 2026-06-29 ### Answer 5 When enterprises without self-operated customs declaration qualification conduct export declaration business, you must operate through a formal agency that has been filed with the customs, and sign a formal agency declaration agreement with clear clauses, clarify the rights and obligations of both parties in document submission, declaration operation and responsibility division, to avoid compliance risks caused by non-standard agency agreement. In addition, you need to ensure all documents submitted for declaration (contract, invoice, packing list, bill of lading, etc.) are true and valid. Especially the HS code of the goods must be declared accurately, to avoid inconsistent declaration caused by wrong HS classification, which triggers risks such as cargo detention by customs, fine and even reduction of enterprise credit rating. Meanwhile, you need to pay attention to compliance of cross-border foreign exchange collection and payment, ensure that the information of your collection account matches the collector information on the customs declaration form, to avoid investigation initiated by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange due to inconsistent foreign exchange subject, which affects your enterprise's foreign exchange settlement right. If declaration abnormality occurs, you need to immediately cooperate with the agency to communicate with the customs, submit supplementary documents or explanations in time, and minimize the abnormal processing time. **status:** suggested **Author:** Grace Wang **Date:** 2026-06-29 ### Answer 6 When enterprises apply for self-operated customs declaration qualification, you need to ensure all submitted documents such as business license and Foreign Trade Operator Registration Form are true and legal, to avoid application rejection and even legal risks such as administrative fine caused by false, tampered or invalid documents. In addition, if you choose agency declaration mode, you need to clearly stipulate the agency's declaration authority, operation specifications and breach of contract liability in the agency agreement, to avoid the agency modifying declaration information or forging documents without authorization beyond its authority, which leads to your enterprise facing legal liabilities such as customs penalty or customer claim. Meanwhile, if the exported goods involve intellectual property rights such as patents and trademarks, you need to apply for intellectual property protection filing with the customs in advance, to avoid legal risks such as cargo detention, cargo confiscation and even high fine caused by infringement. If any customs declaration related dispute occurs, you need to keep all documents, communication records and agreement texts in time, and protect your legitimate rights and interests through negotiation or legal approaches. **status:** suggested **Author:** Cindy Chen **Date:** 2026-06-29 ### Answer 7 After obtaining self-operated customs declaration qualification, enterprises need to familiarize with the procedures and requirements of customs on-site inspection in advance, to avoid customs clearance delay caused by unfamiliarity with inspection rules. For example, during on-site inspection, you need to provide a full set of documents such as packing list, commercial invoice, export contract and customs declaration form as soon as possible, and the actual name, specification, quantity and weight of the goods must be fully consistent with the declared content on the customs declaration form, to avoid cargo detention, re-declaration and even fine caused by inconsistency between goods and declaration. If the goods need to be sent for inspection due to suspected quality or composition issues, you need to actively cooperate with the customs to complete the inspection process, and follow up the inspection progress and result in time, to avoid high detention charges and container yard rent caused by long inspection cycle. Meanwhile, you need to ensure the packaging marks of the goods are clear and accurate, meet the requirements of the customs and the importing country, to avoid inspection failure caused by unclear or wrong marks. If inspection abnormality occurs, you need to communicate with the customs inspection staff in time, submit relevant supporting materials or explanations, and minimize the abnormal processing time. **status:** suggested **Author:** Linda Gao **Date:** 2026-06-29 ### Answer 8 After obtaining self-operated customs declaration qualification, enterprises need to establish a complete export tax refund document management system, ensure the completeness, authenticity and relevance of all tax refund documents such as customs declaration form, special VAT invoice, export contract and foreign exchange receipt voucher, to avoid tax refund rejection caused by missing, altered or inconsistent documents. In addition, you need to file for export tax refund strictly within the deadline specified by the tax authority. Currently, the declaration deadline for export goods tax refund is before the end of the VAT declaration period in April of the next year starting from the date of export declaration. Overdue declaration cannot enjoy the tax refund policy, which causes unnecessary cost loss. Meanwhile, you need to pay attention to the letter inquiry requirements of the tax authority. If you receive an export tax refund letter inquiry notice from the tax authority, you need to submit relevant supporting materials within the specified deadline and cooperate with the tax authority to complete the verification, to avoid tax refund delay caused by untimely response. If you choose agency declaration, you need to ensure the declaration information provided by the agency is fully consistent with your enterprise's export invoice, contract and foreign exchange receipt voucher, to avoid tax refund audit failure caused by inconsistent documents, and even trigger tax audit. **status:** suggested **Author:** Lucas Liu **Date:** 2026-06-29 ### Answer 9 When enterprises plan their export supply chain, you need to evaluate in advance whether you need to apply for self-operated customs declaration qualification: If your enterprise has small export volume and low export frequency, choosing professional agency declaration can greatly reduce operating cost, improve customs clearance efficiency, and you do not need to invest human and material resources to maintain self-operated qualification; If your enterprise has large export volume and complex cargo types (such as sensitive goods, high-value goods), it is recommended to apply for self-operated customs declaration qualification, so that you can better control the declaration process, respond to abnormal situations in time, and reduce the risk of supply chain interruption. In addition, you need to include qualification application as a pre-step in supply chain planning, start the application process 3-6 months in advance, to avoid shipment delay, customer loss and other problems caused by lack of qualification. If you choose agency declaration mode, you need to establish long-term cooperation with an agency with good reputation and stable service capability, sign an annual service agreement, clarify service standards and breach of contract liability, ensure the stability of the declaration process, and effectively reduce the overall risk of the supply chain. **status:** suggested **Author:** Kevin Lin **Date:** 2026-06-29 ## Related Categories - [Import Agency Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-import-agency/) - [Export Agency Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-export-agency/) - [Export Tax Rebate Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-export-tax-rebate/) - [Freight Forwarding Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-freight-forwarding/) - [Forex Settlement Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-forex-settlement/) - [Entrepôt Trade Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-entrepot-trade/) - [General Trade Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-general-trade/) ## Related Resources - [Trade Services](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/services/) - [Trade Cases](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/cases/) - [Trade Wiki](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/wiki/) - [Trade Class](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/guide/) - [Global Trade Services](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/country/) ## Structured Data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "QAPage", "inLanguage":"en", "isPartOf": { "@id":"https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/#website" }, "publisher":{ "@id":"https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/#organization" }, "mainEntity": { "@type": "Question", "name": "What Mandatory Requirements and Specific Procedures Do Domestic Enterprises Need to Meet for Applying for Export Customs Declaration Qualification?", "text": "I am the head of a newly established small and medium-sized foreign trade enterprise in Shanghai, which has been operating for half a year. We mainly export Nordic-style solid wood home products, and just closed our first order of 12 containers with a German client last week. The goods are already prepared in our warehouse in Songjiang District, and the freight forwarder notified that container loading and port entry will be arranged next Wednesday. I just realized today when sorting out documents that we haven't applied for export customs declaration qualification yet! I am extremely anxious now, worried that we will miss the shipment, incur port detention charges and container yard rent, and even lose the client. I have no idea what mandatory requirements our small enterprise with registered capital of 5 million RMB and no previous foreign trade experience needs to meet for self-operated customs declaration qualification, how long the whole procedure will take, and whether there is a compliant alternative solution if we cannot finish the application in time. Besides, I heard there are many pitfalls in qualification application in this industry, will we hit any pit that causes problems in subsequent customs declaration?", "answerCount": 9, "upvoteCount": 3, "datePublished": "2026-06-29T06:05:02Z", "dateModified": "2026-06-29T06:16:42Z", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Zhongshen Trading China", "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/export-customs-declaration-qualification-enterprise-application-requirements-process.html" } ,"acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "First，complete pre-application document review: You need to prepare in advance the business license (with import and export business included in business scope)，Foreign Trade Operator Registration Form，and Application for Customs Declaration Entity Registration with Customs. Key check: Whether the business scope on the business license includes "import and export of goods" or "import and export of technology". If not，you need to complete industrial and commercial business change first，which can be finished in 1 working day at the fastest. Core node connection: Submit the prepared documents to the customs at your registered location or apply online via the "Internet + Customs" platform. After customs approval，you will get the Certificate of Registration for Customs Declaration Entity. Online application can get the certificate within 3 working days at the fastest，while offline application takes 5-7 working days. Note that you need to fill in information such as your enterprise's unified social credit code and registered address accurately during application，to avoid rejection caused by inconsistent information. Contingency plan: If you cannot meet the shipment deadline，you can immediately entrust an agency company with self-operated customs declaration qualification to handle the declaration. You need to sign a formal agency customs declaration agreement to clarify the rights and responsibilities of both parties，and provide a full set of documents (contract，invoice，packing list，customs declaration power of attorney) to ensure the agency process is compliant. Final compliance implementation: After obtaining the qualification，you need to complete enterprise information filing on the Customs Single Window and bind the electronic port card，then you can conduct customs declaration business on your own，For enterprises that choose agency service，you need to keep the agency agreement and customs declaration documents for at least 3 years for future customs inspection.", "upvoteCount": 3, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/export-customs-declaration-qualification-enterprise-application-requirements-process.html#acceptedAnswer", "datePublished": "2026-06-29T07:01:36Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Victor Sun","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/victor-sun/"} } ,"suggestedAnswer": [ { "@type": "Answer", "text": "When enterprises apply for self-operated customs declaration qualification, a common misunderstanding is that you can apply as long as you have a business license. In fact, you must also hold the Foreign Trade Operator Registration Form. If you do not complete this registration, the customs will directly reject your application, and supplementary registration takes at least 2 working days, which may delay your shipment. In addition, some enterprises fail the audit due to inconsistent registered address and actual operating address, or no import and export business in business license, which will further cause port detention and cargo detention risks, incur extra costs such as container yard rent and detention charges, and even affect the enterprise's customs credit rating. If you need urgent customs declaration, you can apply through the "Special Business Fast Track" recognized by the customs, but you need to additionally provide your enterprise's tax certificate for the past 3 months, original export contract and urgent shipment certificate issued by the freight forwarder to prove your enterprise's compliance and business authenticity. This channel can complete temporary qualification filing within 1 working day at the fastest, and supports single declaration.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/export-customs-declaration-qualification-enterprise-application-requirements-process.html#suggestedAnswer-2", "datePublished": "2026-06-29T06:47:37Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Eric Zhou","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/eric-zhou/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "When enterprises without self-operated customs declaration qualification choose agency customs declaration, you should first check the agency's customs filing qualification (which can be queried via the Customs Single Window), to avoid declaration rejection and delay caused by incomplete qualification or low credit rating of the agency. In addition, you need to clarify the division of responsibilities for agency declaration, especially in cargo title control. You must clearly stipulate in the agency agreement that the agency is only responsible for declaration operation, and shall not dispose of the cargo or modify declaration information without authorization. If declaration delay occurs, you should immediately ask the agency to provide the delay explanation issued by customs and current review progress, so that you can apply to the shipping company for free storage period extension and reduce extra costs such as detention charges and container yard rent. Meanwhile, it is recommended to sign a "customs declaration timeliness commitment clause" with the agency, stipulating that if declaration delay is caused by the agency's operation error, the agency shall bear the corresponding economic loss. All communication records and documents should be kept for at least 3 years for future accountability.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/export-customs-declaration-qualification-enterprise-application-requirements-process.html#suggestedAnswer-3", "datePublished": "2026-06-29T06:39:46Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Michael Zhang","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/michael-zhang/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "After obtaining self-operated customs declaration qualification, enterprises need to complete export tax (exemption) filing with the competent tax authority at the same time, otherwise you cannot enjoy the export tax (exemption) policy, which will cause unnecessary cost loss. In addition, if you choose agency declaration, you need to ensure that the agency declares the duty-paid price of the goods accurately, to avoid price verification initiated by the tax authority due to declared price deviating from market fair value, which delays export tax refund progress and even triggers tax audit. Meanwhile, you need to pay attention to the applicable conditions of VAT deferral policy in the export destination. If your enterprise meets the requirements, you can apply for deferral of import VAT payment during declaration, which effectively eases short-term capital pressure. It is specially reminded that no matter you adopt self-operated or agency declaration mode, you must strictly ensure the "four-flow consistency" of customs declaration form, VAT invoice, export contract and foreign exchange receipt voucher, to avoid tax refund rejection due to tax non-compliance, and even face penalties of supplementary tax payment, late payment surcharge and fine.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/export-customs-declaration-qualification-enterprise-application-requirements-process.html#suggestedAnswer-4", "datePublished": "2026-06-29T06:38:59Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Daniel Xu","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/daniel-xu/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "When enterprises without self-operated customs declaration qualification conduct export declaration business, you must operate through a formal agency that has been filed with the customs, and sign a formal agency declaration agreement with clear clauses, clarify the rights and obligations of both parties in document submission, declaration operation and responsibility division, to avoid compliance risks caused by non-standard agency agreement. In addition, you need to ensure all documents submitted for declaration (contract, invoice, packing list, bill of lading, etc.) are true and valid. Especially the HS code of the goods must be declared accurately, to avoid inconsistent declaration caused by wrong HS classification, which triggers risks such as cargo detention by customs, fine and even reduction of enterprise credit rating. Meanwhile, you need to pay attention to compliance of cross-border foreign exchange collection and payment, ensure that the information of your collection account matches the collector information on the customs declaration form, to avoid investigation initiated by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange due to inconsistent foreign exchange subject, which affects your enterprise's foreign exchange settlement right. If declaration abnormality occurs, you need to immediately cooperate with the agency to communicate with the customs, submit supplementary documents or explanations in time, and minimize the abnormal processing time.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/export-customs-declaration-qualification-enterprise-application-requirements-process.html#suggestedAnswer-5", "datePublished": "2026-06-29T06:36:27Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Grace Wang","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/grace-wang/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "When enterprises apply for self-operated customs declaration qualification, you need to ensure all submitted documents such as business license and Foreign Trade Operator Registration Form are true and legal, to avoid application rejection and even legal risks such as administrative fine caused by false, tampered or invalid documents. In addition, if you choose agency declaration mode, you need to clearly stipulate the agency's declaration authority, operation specifications and breach of contract liability in the agency agreement, to avoid the agency modifying declaration information or forging documents without authorization beyond its authority, which leads to your enterprise facing legal liabilities such as customs penalty or customer claim. Meanwhile, if the exported goods involve intellectual property rights such as patents and trademarks, you need to apply for intellectual property protection filing with the customs in advance, to avoid legal risks such as cargo detention, cargo confiscation and even high fine caused by infringement. If any customs declaration related dispute occurs, you need to keep all documents, communication records and agreement texts in time, and protect your legitimate rights and interests through negotiation or legal approaches.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/export-customs-declaration-qualification-enterprise-application-requirements-process.html#suggestedAnswer-6", "datePublished": "2026-06-29T06:29:15Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Cindy Chen","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/cindy-chen/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "After obtaining self-operated customs declaration qualification, enterprises need to familiarize with the procedures and requirements of customs on-site inspection in advance, to avoid customs clearance delay caused by unfamiliarity with inspection rules. For example, during on-site inspection, you need to provide a full set of documents such as packing list, commercial invoice, export contract and customs declaration form as soon as possible, and the actual name, specification, quantity and weight of the goods must be fully consistent with the declared content on the customs declaration form, to avoid cargo detention, re-declaration and even fine caused by inconsistency between goods and declaration. If the goods need to be sent for inspection due to suspected quality or composition issues, you need to actively cooperate with the customs to complete the inspection process, and follow up the inspection progress and result in time, to avoid high detention charges and container yard rent caused by long inspection cycle. Meanwhile, you need to ensure the packaging marks of the goods are clear and accurate, meet the requirements of the customs and the importing country, to avoid inspection failure caused by unclear or wrong marks. If inspection abnormality occurs, you need to communicate with the customs inspection staff in time, submit relevant supporting materials or explanations, and minimize the abnormal processing time.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/export-customs-declaration-qualification-enterprise-application-requirements-process.html#suggestedAnswer-7", "datePublished": "2026-06-29T06:28:46Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Linda Gao","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/linda-gao/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "After obtaining self-operated customs declaration qualification, enterprises need to establish a complete export tax refund document management system, ensure the completeness, authenticity and relevance of all tax refund documents such as customs declaration form, special VAT invoice, export contract and foreign exchange receipt voucher, to avoid tax refund rejection caused by missing, altered or inconsistent documents. In addition, you need to file for export tax refund strictly within the deadline specified by the tax authority. Currently, the declaration deadline for export goods tax refund is before the end of the VAT declaration period in April of the next year starting from the date of export declaration. Overdue declaration cannot enjoy the tax refund policy, which causes unnecessary cost loss. Meanwhile, you need to pay attention to the letter inquiry requirements of the tax authority. If you receive an export tax refund letter inquiry notice from the tax authority, you need to submit relevant supporting materials within the specified deadline and cooperate with the tax authority to complete the verification, to avoid tax refund delay caused by untimely response. If you choose agency declaration, you need to ensure the declaration information provided by the agency is fully consistent with your enterprise's export invoice, contract and foreign exchange receipt voucher, to avoid tax refund audit failure caused by inconsistent documents, and even trigger tax audit.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/export-customs-declaration-qualification-enterprise-application-requirements-process.html#suggestedAnswer-8", "datePublished": "2026-06-29T06:18:17Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Lucas Liu","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/lucas-liu/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "When enterprises plan their export supply chain, you need to evaluate in advance whether you need to apply for self-operated customs declaration qualification: If your enterprise has small export volume and low export frequency, choosing professional agency declaration can greatly reduce operating cost, improve customs clearance efficiency, and you do not need to invest human and material resources to maintain self-operated qualification; If your enterprise has large export volume and complex cargo types (such as sensitive goods, high-value goods), it is recommended to apply for self-operated customs declaration qualification, so that you can better control the declaration process, respond to abnormal situations in time, and reduce the risk of supply chain interruption. In addition, you need to include qualification application as a pre-step in supply chain planning, start the application process 3-6 months in advance, to avoid shipment delay, customer loss and other problems caused by lack of qualification. If you choose agency declaration mode, you need to establish long-term cooperation with an agency with good reputation and stable service capability, sign an annual service agreement, clarify service standards and breach of contract liability, ensure the stability of the declaration process, and effectively reduce the overall risk of the supply chain.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/export-customs-declaration-qualification-enterprise-application-requirements-process.html#suggestedAnswer-9", "datePublished": "2026-06-29T06:16:42Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Kevin Lin","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/kevin-lin/"} } ] } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/"},{"@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Q&A", "item": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/"},{"@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Customs Declaration Q&A", "item": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-customs-declaration/"} ,{"@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What Mandatory Requirements and Specific Procedures Do Domestic Enterprises Need to Meet for Applying for Export Customs Declaration Qualification?"} ] } ] ```