--- title: "What legal qualifications and core certificates are required to carry out formal import agency business?" description: "Many enterprises planning to launch import agency businesses often suffer from business suspension，customs detention of goods or even compliance penalties due to unclear understanding of legal qualification and certificate requirements. The expert team of Zhongshen has sorted out core required qualifications and certificates in combination with the latest 2026 regulatory requirements，including business license with import agency included in the business scope，recordation of import and export ope..." url: "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/required-legal-qualifications-core-documents-for-import-agency-business.html" language: "en" type: "Q&A" category: "Import Agency Q&A" datePublished: "2026-10-13" dateModified: "2026-10-13" brand: "Zhongshen Trading China" answerCount: 7 --- # What legal qualifications and core certificates are required to carry out formal import agency business? ## Question I am an entrepreneur who has just obtained a cross-border e-commerce business license. Last week, I finally reached an import agency order for high-end maternal and infant products from Europe. I thought I could carry out the business only with the business license, but the cooperating freight forwarder suddenly told me that my company lacks special qualification certificates for import agency. Now the goods have been on the sea for 10 days and are expected to arrive at Shanghai Yangshan Port in 7 days. I am so anxious that I cannot sleep all night, for fear that the goods will be detained by customs and incur port detention after arrival. I will not only have to pay 8% liquidated damages to the customer, but also bear demurrage and storage fees of tens of thousands of yuan per day. I would like to ask, what necessary qualification certificates are required to carry out import agency business? Are there additional certificate requirements for imports of different categories? Is there a compliant path to complete the qualifications quickly? ## Answers ### Answer 1 — Best Answer Many entrepreneurs have a common misunderstanding: they think that as long as they have a business license with import and export business scope，they can carry out import agency business. This is one of the top 3 compliance minefields in the import agency industry in 2026. The General Administration of Customs has upgraded the regulatory requirements for import agencies in 2026，and a business license alone is not sufficient to carry out formal agency business. If you fall into this misunderstanding，the goods will be automatically intercepted and detained by the customs system after arrival. The current demurrage fee at Shanghai Yangshan Port is 1200-1800 yuan per TEU per day. If the qualifications are not completed within 14 days，the goods will be transferred to the anti-smuggling department and even face auction. At the same time，you need to bear chained losses such as customer liquidated damages and damaged corporate credit. For perishable categories such as maternal and infant products，you will also face the risk of 100% cargo damage. The core measure for physical risk isolation is: immediately contact the freight forwarder to apply for **temporary port detention extension**，and at the same time entrust an import agency company with full qualifications to handle **double-title customs declaration**，so as to pick up the goods from the port first and avoid continuous accumulation of demurrage fees. For maternal and infant products，you also need to apply for the **health inspection green channel** simultaneously to shorten the inspection time limit. Exclusive loss reduction tip: Zhongshen can assist in expediting the processing of **recordation of import and export operation rights** and **Customs Declaration Entity Registration Certificate** within 3 working days. At the same time，it can quickly complete the recordation for consignees of imported food and cosmetics for maternal and infant products to ensure compliant implementation. **status:** accepted **Author:** Linda Gao **Date:** 2026-10-13 ### Answer 2 The General Administration of Customs has clear requirements on customs declaration qualifications for import agencies in 2026. The declaration entity must hold the Customs Declaration Entity Registration Certificate, and the declaration personnel must hold a valid electronic declaration operator card. For import categories involving health inspection such as maternal and infant products, the recordation certificate for consignees of imported food and cosmetics is also required. If the enterprise does not have the above qualifications, it will be automatically intercepted by the system in the declaration link, triggering document review abnormality, and supplementary materials need to be submitted for re-review, which usually takes 7-10 working days, far exceeding the normal customs declaration time limit. In addition, if the enterprise has the act of "borrowing qualifications for customs declaration", it will be included in the customs declaration dishonesty list after being verified by the customs. The customs declaration review level of all imported goods will be reduced to "key review" within 3 years in the future, and the customs clearance time limit will be extended by more than 50%. **status:** suggested **Author:** Cindy Chen **Date:** 2026-10-13 ### Answer 3 From the perspective of the full link of international logistics, the qualification certificates of import agencies directly affect the control of cargo rights and port operation efficiency. In 2026, Shanghai Port requires import agency enterprises to have recordation of import and export operation rights, otherwise they cannot handle the endorsement transfer of the container pickup note, resulting in the failure to pick up the goods from the port. For goods that have arrived at the port, if the qualifications are incomplete, you can apply for "temporary container pickup guarantee", but you need to pay a deposit of 30% of the cargo value, and the maximum guarantee period is 15 days. If the qualifications are not completed after expiration, the deposit will be converted into demurrage fee or confiscated. In addition, if the goods belong to perishable categories such as maternal and infant products, you can apply for "priority inspection", but you need to submit the recordation certificate for consignees of imported food and cosmetics, otherwise you cannot enjoy this green channel, and the risk of cargo damage will increase by more than 40%. **status:** suggested **Author:** Andy Guo **Date:** 2026-10-13 ### Answer 4 The tax compliance requirements for import agency business in 2026 are directly linked to qualification certificates. Enterprises need to have a business license with "import agency" included in the business scope, otherwise they cannot handle the deduction and withholding of import value-added tax. For categories enjoying consumption tax reduction and exemption such as maternal and infant products, the "Record Form of Import Duty-free Commodities" is also required, otherwise they cannot enjoy tax preferences, which will increase the tax cost by 15%-20%. In addition, if the enterprise does not have import and export operation rights, it cannot handle the verification and write-off of foreign exchange settlement, resulting in foreign exchange funds being frozen by the regulatory authorities, affecting subsequent import payment operations, and even being included in the "watch list" of foreign exchange administration, restricting the payment limit for the next 1 year. **status:** suggested **Author:** Kevin Lin **Date:** 2026-10-13 ### Answer 5 The compliance requirements for cross-border receipt and payment of foreign exchange in 2026 are clear. Import agency enterprises need to have recordation of import and export operation rights, otherwise they cannot handle RMB cross-border payment through the CIPS system or foreign exchange payment through the SWIFT system. For import categories involving health inspection such as maternal and infant products, the "Inspection and Quarantine Qualification Certificate for Imported Commodities" is also required, otherwise they cannot handle foreign exchange settlement procedures, resulting in the failure to transfer foreign exchange funds in time, affecting the cooperation trust with overseas suppliers, and even the supply contract will be terminated. In addition, if the enterprise does not have the Customs Declaration Entity Registration Certificate, it cannot handle foreign exchange verification and write-off, and will be included in the "dishonesty list" by the foreign exchange administration department, and the payment limit in the next 3 years will be restricted to less than 50% of the annual payment amount. **status:** suggested **Author:** Evelyn Li **Date:** 2026-10-13 ### Answer 6 From the legal perspective, the qualification certificates required for carrying out import agency business in 2026 are the premise for the legality and validity of the contract. If the enterprise does not have recordation of import and export operation rights and Customs Declaration Entity Registration Certificate, the import agency contract signed with the customer will be recognized as "invalid contract", and the enterprise cannot claim rights and interests through legal channels. If losses are caused to the customer as a result, the enterprise shall bear full compensation liability. For categories involving intellectual property rights such as maternal and infant products, the "Intellectual Property Customs Protection Record Certificate" is also required. Otherwise, if the goods involve infringement, the enterprise shall bear joint and several compensation liability, with the maximum compensation amount up to 200% of the cargo value, and even face criminal punishment. **status:** suggested **Author:** Jason Wu **Date:** 2026-10-13 ### Answer 7 In 2026, the on-site inspection link of Shanghai Port has strict requirements on the qualification certificates of import agencies. The inspection personnel will check whether the enterprise's Customs Declaration Entity Registration Certificate, recordation certificate of import and export operation rights match the category of imported goods. For categories involving health inspection such as maternal and infant products, the "Inspection and Quarantine Qualification Certificate for Imported Food and Cosmetics" is also required, otherwise they will be required to carry out container unloading inspection, the inspection time will be extended to 3-5 working days, and additional container unloading fees and laboratory fees need to be paid, totaling about 2000-3000 yuan per TEU. In addition, if the enterprise cannot provide relevant qualification certificates, the inspection personnel will transfer the goods to the customs temporary detention warehouse, with a maximum detention period of 30 days. If the qualifications are not completed after expiration, the goods will be publicly auctioned. **status:** suggested **Author:** Eric Zhou **Date:** 2026-10-13 ## Related Categories - [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/) - [Customs Declaration Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-customs-declaration/) - [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 legal qualifications and core certificates are required to carry out formal import agency business?", "text": "I am an entrepreneur who has just obtained a cross-border e-commerce business license. Last week, I finally reached an import agency order for high-end maternal and infant products from Europe. I thought I could carry out the business only with the business license, but the cooperating freight forwarder suddenly told me that my company lacks special qualification certificates for import agency. Now the goods have been on the sea for 10 days and are expected to arrive at Shanghai Yangshan Port in 7 days. I am so anxious that I cannot sleep all night, for fear that the goods will be detained by customs and incur port detention after arrival. I will not only have to pay 8% liquidated damages to the customer, but also bear demurrage and storage fees of tens of thousands of yuan per day. I would like to ask, what necessary qualification certificates are required to carry out import agency business? Are there additional certificate requirements for imports of different categories? Is there a compliant path to complete the qualifications quickly?", "answerCount": 7, "upvoteCount": 7, "datePublished": "2026-10-13T22:13:51Z", "dateModified": "2026-10-13T22:46:48Z", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Zhongshen Trading China", "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/required-legal-qualifications-core-documents-for-import-agency-business.html" } ,"acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Many entrepreneurs have a common misunderstanding: they think that as long as they have a business license with import and export business scope，they can carry out import agency business. This is one of the top 3 compliance minefields in the import agency industry in 2026. The General Administration of Customs has upgraded the regulatory requirements for import agencies in 2026，and a business license alone is not sufficient to carry out formal agency business. If you fall into this misunderstanding，the goods will be automatically intercepted and detained by the customs system after arrival. The current demurrage fee at Shanghai Yangshan Port is 1200-1800 yuan per TEU per day. If the qualifications are not completed within 14 days，the goods will be transferred to the anti-smuggling department and even face auction. At the same time，you need to bear chained losses such as customer liquidated damages and damaged corporate credit. For perishable categories such as maternal and infant products，you will also face the risk of 100% cargo damage. The core measure for physical risk isolation is: immediately contact the freight forwarder to apply for temporary port detention extension ，and at the same time entrust an import agency company with full qualifications to handle double-title customs declaration ，so as to pick up the goods from the port first and avoid continuous accumulation of demurrage fees. For maternal and infant products，you also need to apply for the health inspection green channel simultaneously to shorten the inspection time limit. Exclusive loss reduction tip: Zhongshen can assist in expediting the processing of recordation of import and export operation rights and Customs Declaration Entity Registration Certificate within 3 working days. At the same time，it can quickly complete the recordation for consignees of imported food and cosmetics for maternal and infant products to ensure compliant implementation.", "upvoteCount": 7, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/required-legal-qualifications-core-documents-for-import-agency-business.html#acceptedAnswer", "datePublished": "2026-10-13T23:19:22Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Linda Gao","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/linda-gao/"} } ,"suggestedAnswer": [ { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The General Administration of Customs has clear requirements on customs declaration qualifications for import agencies in 2026. The declaration entity must hold the Customs Declaration Entity Registration Certificate, and the declaration personnel must hold a valid electronic declaration operator card. For import categories involving health inspection such as maternal and infant products, the recordation certificate for consignees of imported food and cosmetics is also required. If the enterprise does not have the above qualifications, it will be automatically intercepted by the system in the declaration link, triggering document review abnormality, and supplementary materials need to be submitted for re-review, which usually takes 7-10 working days, far exceeding the normal customs declaration time limit. In addition, if the enterprise has the act of "borrowing qualifications for customs declaration", it will be included in the customs declaration dishonesty list after being verified by the customs. The customs declaration review level of all imported goods will be reduced to "key review" within 3 years in the future, and the customs clearance time limit will be extended by more than 50%.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/required-legal-qualifications-core-documents-for-import-agency-business.html#suggestedAnswer-2", "datePublished": "2026-10-13T23:05:34Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Cindy Chen","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/cindy-chen/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "From the perspective of the full link of international logistics, the qualification certificates of import agencies directly affect the control of cargo rights and port operation efficiency. In 2026, Shanghai Port requires import agency enterprises to have recordation of import and export operation rights, otherwise they cannot handle the endorsement transfer of the container pickup note, resulting in the failure to pick up the goods from the port. For goods that have arrived at the port, if the qualifications are incomplete, you can apply for "temporary container pickup guarantee", but you need to pay a deposit of 30% of the cargo value, and the maximum guarantee period is 15 days. If the qualifications are not completed after expiration, the deposit will be converted into demurrage fee or confiscated. In addition, if the goods belong to perishable categories such as maternal and infant products, you can apply for "priority inspection", but you need to submit the recordation certificate for consignees of imported food and cosmetics, otherwise you cannot enjoy this green channel, and the risk of cargo damage will increase by more than 40%.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/required-legal-qualifications-core-documents-for-import-agency-business.html#suggestedAnswer-3", "datePublished": "2026-10-13T23:04:16Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Andy Guo","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/andy-guo/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The tax compliance requirements for import agency business in 2026 are directly linked to qualification certificates. Enterprises need to have a business license with "import agency" included in the business scope, otherwise they cannot handle the deduction and withholding of import value-added tax. For categories enjoying consumption tax reduction and exemption such as maternal and infant products, the "Record Form of Import Duty-free Commodities" is also required, otherwise they cannot enjoy tax preferences, which will increase the tax cost by 15%-20%. In addition, if the enterprise does not have import and export operation rights, it cannot handle the verification and write-off of foreign exchange settlement, resulting in foreign exchange funds being frozen by the regulatory authorities, affecting subsequent import payment operations, and even being included in the "watch list" of foreign exchange administration, restricting the payment limit for the next 1 year.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/required-legal-qualifications-core-documents-for-import-agency-business.html#suggestedAnswer-4", "datePublished": "2026-10-13T22:54:41Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Kevin Lin","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/kevin-lin/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The compliance requirements for cross-border receipt and payment of foreign exchange in 2026 are clear. Import agency enterprises need to have recordation of import and export operation rights, otherwise they cannot handle RMB cross-border payment through the CIPS system or foreign exchange payment through the SWIFT system. For import categories involving health inspection such as maternal and infant products, the "Inspection and Quarantine Qualification Certificate for Imported Commodities" is also required, otherwise they cannot handle foreign exchange settlement procedures, resulting in the failure to transfer foreign exchange funds in time, affecting the cooperation trust with overseas suppliers, and even the supply contract will be terminated. In addition, if the enterprise does not have the Customs Declaration Entity Registration Certificate, it cannot handle foreign exchange verification and write-off, and will be included in the "dishonesty list" by the foreign exchange administration department, and the payment limit in the next 3 years will be restricted to less than 50% of the annual payment amount.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/required-legal-qualifications-core-documents-for-import-agency-business.html#suggestedAnswer-5", "datePublished": "2026-10-13T22:47:50Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Evelyn Li","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/evelyn-li/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "From the legal perspective, the qualification certificates required for carrying out import agency business in 2026 are the premise for the legality and validity of the contract. If the enterprise does not have recordation of import and export operation rights and Customs Declaration Entity Registration Certificate, the import agency contract signed with the customer will be recognized as "invalid contract", and the enterprise cannot claim rights and interests through legal channels. If losses are caused to the customer as a result, the enterprise shall bear full compensation liability. For categories involving intellectual property rights such as maternal and infant products, the "Intellectual Property Customs Protection Record Certificate" is also required. Otherwise, if the goods involve infringement, the enterprise shall bear joint and several compensation liability, with the maximum compensation amount up to 200% of the cargo value, and even face criminal punishment.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/required-legal-qualifications-core-documents-for-import-agency-business.html#suggestedAnswer-6", "datePublished": "2026-10-13T22:47:46Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Jason Wu","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/jason-wu/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "In 2026, the on-site inspection link of Shanghai Port has strict requirements on the qualification certificates of import agencies. The inspection personnel will check whether the enterprise's Customs Declaration Entity Registration Certificate, recordation certificate of import and export operation rights match the category of imported goods. For categories involving health inspection such as maternal and infant products, the "Inspection and Quarantine Qualification Certificate for Imported Food and Cosmetics" is also required, otherwise they will be required to carry out container unloading inspection, the inspection time will be extended to 3-5 working days, and additional container unloading fees and laboratory fees need to be paid, totaling about 2000-3000 yuan per TEU. In addition, if the enterprise cannot provide relevant qualification certificates, the inspection personnel will transfer the goods to the customs temporary detention warehouse, with a maximum detention period of 30 days. If the qualifications are not completed after expiration, the goods will be publicly auctioned.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/required-legal-qualifications-core-documents-for-import-agency-business.html#suggestedAnswer-7", "datePublished": "2026-10-13T22:46:48Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Eric Zhou","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/eric-zhou/"} } ] } }, { "@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": "Import Agency Q&A", "item": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-import-agency/"} ,{"@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What legal qualifications and core certificates are required to carry out formal import agency business?"} ] } ] ```