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2026 Import & Export Company Application Process and Qualification Requirements

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I am the owner of a newly established technology startup, planning to expand cross-border business in 2026 and currently considering registering an import and export company. I heard that there are new adjustments to foreign trade policies in 2026, such as higher customs inspection rates and stricter foreign exchange administration.

I am worried that unfamiliar operation will lead to delays or fines. I would like to know what materials need to be prepared for applying for an import and export company? What are the new changes in the approval process?

How to avoid common risks during registration? In addition, how to quickly connect to customs declaration, tax refund and other links after registration, are there any legal and compliant cost optimization solutions? For example, I heard that there may be new developments in the VAT deferral policy, and I want to know how to apply for it.

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Expert Answer

John
JohnYears of service：6Customer Rating：5.0

Export Tax Rebate AdvisorStart a Chat

To apply for an import and export company in 2026，it is necessary to follow the "full-link dismantling logic" to form closed-loop management from pre-qualification review to compliance implementation. First of all，it is necessary to clarifyCore Qualification Requirements: the business scope on the industrial and commercial business license must include "Import and Export of Goods" and "Import and Export of Technology". Although there is no mandatory requirement for the paid-in proportion of registered capital，it is recommended that technology enterprises subscribe for registered capital of no less than 5 million RMB to avoid negative impact on customs filing rating caused by insufficient capital. Second，the "Measures for the Administration of Filing of Import and Export Consignors and Consignees" implemented by the General Administration of Customs of China since January 2026 adds a new "enterprise credit rating verification" link，requiring materials including bank statements of the latest 6 months and tax payment certificates to be prepared in advance，to ensure no defects in "Four Flows in One" (contract flow，logistics，capital flow and document flow).

In theApproval Process Optimization，the "One Window Integrated Processing" reform is implemented in 2026. Enterprises can complete three core links simultaneously via the International Trade Single Window: ① Filing of Foreign Trade Operator from the commerce department (certificate issued in 3 working days)，② Customs filing of consignors and consignees (2 working days)，③ Directory registration from the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (1 working day). Special attention: All materials shall be affixed with electronic signatures，and only key vouchers such as enterprise credit report and articles of association shall be kept in paper form，to avoid rejection caused by blurry scanned copies.

Abnormal Risk Pre-plan is a key link. Common problems include: ① Approval delay caused by incorrectly filled materials，for example，entering "offshore account" as "onshore account"，a 3-5 working days review period shall be reserved，② Classification error caused by confused industry attributes，for example，3C products shall be marked with "3C certification number" separately，and medical devices shall provide "NMPA filing certificate"，③ "Classification dispute" found during customs pre-review，it is recommended to cooperate with professional agencies such as Zhongshitong in advance，and use the "classification pre-ruling system" to confirm the HS code，so as to avoid demurrage fees after goods arrive at the port.

At theCompliance Implementation stage，the following work shall be completed simultaneously: ① Apply for the Customs Declaration Unit Registration Certificate (3 working days)，② Sign agreements with qualified customs brokers (the AEO certification level of the customs broker shall be verified)，③ Activate the payment platform of the "Single Window" (linked to the enterprise's corporate bank account). Special reminder: Since 2026，customs implements a "3-month observation period" for newly registered enterprises. The first two batches of business shall be declared with the accompaniment of agency enterprises such as Zhongshitong，to ensure 100% accuracy of declaration data and avoid credit downgrade triggered by "declaration error rate >5%".

Alexander
AlexanderYears of service：10Customer Rating：5.0

Senior Trade AdvisorStart a Chat

The first priority after import and export company registration is to complete the customs declaration unit filing. It is necessary to verify in advance whether the "import and export business" clause in the articles of association matches the business license. If the business scope includes "agent import and export", additional agency contracts shall be provided.

The new "paperless customs clearance" requirement is added in 2026, all customs declarations shall be submitted in XML format. It is recommended to generate declarations through the system template of the customs broker to avoid inspection caused by missing fields (such as omitted supplementary description of declaration elements).。

Emily
EmilyYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0

Client Success AdvisorStart a Chat

For logistics links, attention shall be paid to the route adjustments in 2026. Direct shipping / transit plans shall be selected according to the characteristics of goods. For example, high-value precision instruments are recommended to adopt the "TIR Transport" mode, and the whole-process GPS tracking can reduce disputes over cargo damage; for dangerous goods, "UN number + 2026 version MSDS" filing shall be completed in advance, to avoid goods detention during inspection caused by wrong package marks (such as missing "this side up" arrows).

Daniel
DanielYears of service：8Customer Rating：5.0

Legal AdvisorStart a Chat

In terms of taxation, the "VAT deferral" pilot is opened for small-scale taxpayer enterprises in 2026. The application shall meet the condition that "the total import and export volume in the latest 12 months is less than 5 million US dollars". It is recommended to prioritize the "RMB cross-border payment" channel when receiving foreign exchange via the CIPS system, which can save 0.8%-1.2% of the exchange difference cost.

Sophia
SophiaYears of service：7Customer Rating：5.0

Senior Customs AdvisorStart a Chat

Foreign exchange collection verification and cancellation shall strictly match the electronic base ledger and the customs declaration form. In 2026, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange adds a new "foreign exchange collection amount fluctuation warning" mechanism. If the amount of a single foreign exchange collection exceeds 10% of the contract amount, a supplementary explanation shall be submitted. It is recommended to select the "real-time settlement" mode during foreign exchange settlement, to avoid foreign exchange refund by banks triggered by "settlement difference >3%" caused by exchange rate fluctuations.

Charlotte
CharlotteYears of service：4Customer Rating：5.0

Currency Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat

Force majeure clauses in foreign trade contracts shall be reviewed with priority. The "global supply chain disruption" exemption clause is newly added in 2026. It is recommended to clarify detailed rules such as "demurrage fees caused by geopolitical conflicts shall be shared by both parties". Customs intellectual property protection filing shall be completed in advance. Software products shall provide "Computer Software Copyright Certificate" to avoid goods detention by customs due to trademark infringement.

Sarah
SarahYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0

Foreign Exchange AdvisorStart a Chat

Before on-site inspection, enterprises shall obtain inspection instructions through the "pre-inspection entry system", and focus on checking the integrity of seals (the new "lead seal electronic verification code" check is added in 2026). If the seal is found damaged, immediately notify the customs broker and contact customs to avoid goods being randomly inspected due to delays. The whole process of container unpacking inspection shall be recorded on video for evidence, to prevent subsequent disputes caused by unclear division of cargo damage responsibilities.

David
DavidYears of service：3Customer Rating：5.0

Business Development AdvisorStart a Chat

For export tax refund, "three documents matching" (export customs declaration, VAT special invoice, export invoice) shall be ensured. In 2026, the new "export invoice electronic base ledger" verification is added. It is recommended to complete invoice certification 30 days in advance, to avoid tax refund deferred to the next quarter caused by cross-month declaration. In case of "verification letter", original vouchers including production process description and purchase contract shall be prepared to ensure 100% accuracy of the reply to the verification letter.

Note: We respect all users' opinions and contributions. However, comments and answers reflect the views of their respective authors only.
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