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What core qualifications and pre-approval requirements must different types of enterprises meet when applying for import and export trade rights?
or complex compliance issues.
clearance and fund security.
I am the person in charge of a Class II medical device company in Shanghai that has just been established for 6 months. Last week, I signed the first export letter of intent with a Malaysian client, agreeing to deliver the goods within 3 months, but I have not yet obtained the import and export trade rights, so I am too anxious to sleep.
I heard from a peer before that his application was rejected twice due to incomplete documents, delayed for nearly a month, and finally paid liquidated damages to the client, and I am particularly afraid of repeating the same mistake. Our company is a small-scale taxpayer, mainly engaged in Class II medical consumables.
We would like to know what exclusive qualifications and materials are required for small and micro enterprises in special industries like ours to apply for import and export trade rights? Is there any green channel or expedited channel for foreign trade novices in the process? Are there any easily overlooked compliance pitfalls, such as failure to complete subsequent filings that affect business?
Linda GaoYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0
Documentation SupervisorStart a Chat
First of all，the details of pre-document review: For small and micro Class II medical device enterprises，in addition to the conventional business license，official seal，and ID card of the legal representative，they must prepare the Class II Medical Device Business Filing Certificate (the business scope must fully cover the consumable categories to be imported and exported)，the corresponding medical device registration certificate of the products (required for self-produced products)，and the tax declaration certificates of small-scale taxpayers in the past 3 months. If the business scope of the filing certificate does not match，the application will be directly rejected by the audit department，delaying the application time limit.
Core node connection: The first step is to handle the Registration Form for Foreign Trade Operators through the Shanghai One Netcom Office platform，and the certificate can be issued within 1-2 working days after submission，the second step is to log on to the "Internet + Customs" platform to complete the filing of import and export goods consignors and consignees，and apply for the electronic port IC card at the same time. You can make an appointment for on-site card making 1 day in advance to avoid queuing，the third step is to handle the directory registration through the digital platform of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange，and the audit can be completed on the same day after submitting the materials online.
Abnormal contingency plan: If the materials are rejected，for example，the business scope of the filing certificate does not match，you need to immediately go to the market supervision bureau to change the business scope，and update the Medical Device Business Filing Certificate at the same time，and the correction can be completed within 3 working days at the fastest，if there is an error in the customs filing system，directly contact the exclusive contact person of the enterprise management section of the local customs for coordination and handling.
Final compliance implementation: After obtaining the trade right，you need to complete the special filing for import and export of medical devices before the first import and export，and complete the foreign exchange receipt and payment declaration on time every month to ensure the smooth process of subsequent foreign exchange settlement and sale and export tax rebate.
Kevin LinYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0
Trade Solutions ManagerStart a Chat
After an enterprise obtains the import and export trade right, it shall complete the filing of customs import and export goods consignors and consignees in time, which is the core certificate for handling customs declaration business. It should be noted that the "customs declaration special seal impression" filled in during the filing must be completely consistent with the seal actually used in the follow-up. If the impression does not match, the customs declaration form will fail to pass the audit, and even lead to the risk of cargo detention in the port and customs seizure.
In addition, if the enterprise involves cross-customs district declaration, it is necessary to handle the "customs clearance integration" filing in advance, and there is no need to file separately at each port, but it is necessary to ensure that the enterprise's credit rating is B level or above, otherwise it cannot enjoy the cross-customs district rapid clearance rights and interests. If the enterprise information changes after filing, it is necessary to complete the change procedures at the customs within 30 days, otherwise it will affect the declaration time limit of subsequent customs declarations.
Michael ZhangYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0
Customs Declaration & Compliance ExpertStart a Chat
After obtaining the import and export trade right, focus should be placed on cargo right control and transportation compliance in the logistics link. If the FOB trade term is adopted, it is necessary to ensure that a formal transportation contract is signed with the freight forwarder in time after obtaining the trade right, and it is clear that the bill of lading issuing entity is a qualified shipping company or its authorized agent, so as to avoid cargo right disputes caused by getting the "freight forwarder's bill of lading".
In addition, before the first export, it is necessary to provide the freight forwarder with complete cargo information, including HS code, weight, volume, etc., so that the freight forwarder can book space with the shipping company in advance, and avoid container dumping and space explosion caused by incomplete information. If the goods involve sensitive categories, it is necessary to confirm the shipping company's carriage qualification in advance to avoid the goods being returned due to the shipping company's lack of qualification, and at the same time, a booking buffer period of at least 7 days should be reserved to cope with the sudden tight space situation.
Grace WangYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Foreign Trade ConsultantStart a Chat
After a small-scale taxpayer obtains the import and export trade right, if it involves export business, it can choose to enjoy the export tax exemption policy, but it needs to pay attention to the time limit requirement for tax exemption declaration: it is necessary to handle the export goods value-added tax exemption declaration with the competent tax authority within each value-added tax declaration period from the month following the date of export declaration of the goods to before May 31 of the next year. If the declaration is not made within the specified time limit, it shall be regarded as domestic sales and pay value-added tax, increasing the cost of the enterprise.
In addition, if the enterprise is subsequently converted to a general taxpayer, it is necessary to go to the tax authority to handle the change of export tax rebate qualification in time to enjoy the export tax rebate policy, but it is necessary to ensure the "four flows are consistent" (contract flow, capital flow, cargo flow, invoice flow) to avoid the risk of tax inquiry. At the same time, if cross-border related transactions are involved, transfer pricing documentation should be prepared in advance to meet the relevant requirements of BEPS.
Lucas LiuYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0
Senior Operations ConsultantStart a Chat
After obtaining the import and export trade right, it is necessary to complete the foreign exchange receipt and payment directory registration in time, which is a necessary prerequisite for handling cross-border receipt and payment of foreign exchange. It should be noted that after the directory registration, before the first receipt and payment of foreign exchange, the enterprise needs to complete the activation of the "import payment directory" or "export receipt directory" through the digital platform of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, otherwise it cannot handle the receipt and payment of foreign exchange through the bank.
In addition, if the enterprise involves RMB cross-border payment, it can be handled through the CIPS system, but it is necessary to ensure that the transaction background is true, and provide corresponding contracts, invoices, customs declarations and other vouchers to avoid being listed as a key monitoring object by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. If there is a delay in foreign exchange receipt, it is necessary to submit an application for deferred foreign exchange receipt filing to the State Administration of Foreign Exchange before the expiration of the foreign exchange receipt period, otherwise it will affect the enterprise's foreign exchange classification level, and then affect the subsequent foreign exchange receipt and payment quota.
Jason WuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
International Logistics & Supply Chain ManagerStart a Chat
After obtaining the import and export trade right, focus should be placed on the cargo right clauses and compliance agreements in international trade contracts. If letter of credit settlement is adopted, it is necessary to avoid accepting "soft clauses", such as "the goods inspection certificate issued by the buyer is required as the premise of payment", such clauses will lead to the enterprise losing control of the cargo right and causing the risk of unable to recover the payment.
In addition, when signing a contract with an overseas customer for the first time, it is necessary to add relevant clauses on intellectual property customs protection, clarify that if the goods are detained by the customs due to infringement, the responsibility shall be borne by the buyer, and at the same time, it is necessary to handle the intellectual property customs protection filing with the customs to avoid the enterprise being held responsible for the product infringement of the overseas customer. In case of force majeure events, it is necessary to send a written notice to the customer in time and keep relevant supporting materials to avoid bearing liability for breach of contract.
Andy GuoYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0
Supply Chain Management ExpertStart a Chat
After a general taxpayer enterprise obtains the import and export trade right, it is necessary to handle the export tax rebate qualification filing in time, and provide the Registration Form for Foreign Trade Operators, the receipt of customs import and export goods consignor and consignee filing and other materials during the filing. It should be noted that the export tax rebate declaration must ensure that the "four flows are consistent", that is, the contract flow, capital flow, cargo flow and invoice flow are completely matched.
If there is inconsistency, it will trigger tax inquiry, and even be suspended from the export tax rebate qualification. In addition, the document filing shall be completed within 15 days from the date of export, including the export goods declaration form, transportation documents, purchase and sales contracts, etc. If the filing is not completed on time, it will be impossible to handle the export tax rebate. If the enterprise entrusts an agent to export, it is necessary to obtain the "Agent Export Goods Certificate" issued by the trustee, and declare the tax rebate within the specified time limit, otherwise it will lose the tax rebate right.
Daniel XuYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0
Director of Import & Export OperationsStart a Chat
After obtaining the import and export trade right, the supply chain structure should be optimized in combination with the enterprise's business scale. If the enterprise is mainly engaged in small-batch and high-frequency export business, it is recommended to choose the CIF trade term, and the enterprise is responsible for transportation and insurance, so as to control the cargo right and transportation time limit; if the business scale is large, the FOB trade term can be adopted, and the buyer is responsible for transportation, so as to reduce the logistics cost of the enterprise.
In addition, it is necessary to establish an inventory linkage strategy, adjust the domestic inventory level according to the order cycle of overseas customers, avoid capital occupation caused by inventory backlog, and regularly calculate the cost of import and export business, including logistics fees, customs declaration fees, insurance fees, etc., to optimize the cost structure. If cross-regional procurement is involved, suppliers with import and export qualifications shall be selected to ensure that the source of goods is compliant, so as to avoid the goods being detained by the customs due to the problem of supplier qualification.