China Import and Export License Application

The basics

What Is an Import and Export License?

Rather than being a certification, the import and export license is more like a licensing process in which a company undergoes qualification review and registration with government departments to legally conduct import and export of goods or technology.

In addition, the import and export license is also used for customs inspection and clearance, as well as for banks to handle foreign exchange settlements and other foreign trade-related businesses.

Import and export enterprises must strictly follow the stipulated trade methods and other content specified in the license to import and export specific goods.

Import and export license at a glance

What it is: A licensing process in which a company undergoes qualification review and registration with government departments.
Customs and banks: Used for customs inspection and clearance, and by banks to handle foreign exchange settlements and other foreign trade-related businesses.
Tax refunds: After you carry out international trade business, you must use the import and export license to apply for import and export tax refunds from the tax authorities.
Three steps: Customs registration, Electronic Port access where needed, and trade foreign exchange registration through a bank.
Goods differ: The process differs based on the kind of items you plan to import and export.
Hongda’s role: Document preparation, customs registration and filing support, confirmed for each project.

Qualification

Import and Export Trade Qualification

In some regions, the integration of multiple certificates has been realized, and relevant filing registration procedures can be handled simultaneously when the enterprise is registering. In addition, depending on different categories of goods, specific industry access qualification conditions may also need to be met. For example, enterprises engaged in the import and export of food need to comply with food-related hygiene and production qualification requirements.

Process

Process for an Import/Export License Application

Hongda provides a detailed introduction to the three steps that will enable you to meet the conditions for conducting import and export business operations locally.

Step 1: Customs Registration
Step 2: Electronic Port Access (Where Needed)

Step 3: Trade Foreign Exchange Registration Through a Bank

See China Customs supervision codes.

How it works

The three steps of an import and export license application.

Quick answer: the application runs in three steps: customs registration, Electronic Port access and trade foreign exchange registration through a bank. Select a step for detail.

Stage 1 of 3

Customs registration

First, your company must submit essential products to local customs and register in accordance with customs requirements. Customs will provide you with a unique Customs Registration Code (also known as a CR Code) once you have successfully registered.

The CR Code is typically a 10-digit code that serves as the sole identifier for import and export businesses recognized and regulated by China Customs.
All import and export businesses must receive this code in order to make import and export declarations, ask for customs duty exemptions, handle foreign exchange settlements, and manage customs inspections and releases.

The process for obtaining an import and export license differs based on the kind of items you plan to import and export.

Eligibility

Necessary Conditions for Applying for an Import and Export License

The Chinese government has specific legal requirements for applying for an import and export license. Your company must meet certain conditions to qualify for the application.

Condition 1: Legally Registered in China

If you wish to apply for an import and export license in China, your company must be a legally registered enterprise with the market regulation authority in China. If you are considering engaging in international trade activities in China but have not yet established your own company, you can choose Hongda’s WFOE setup service package. We will provide comprehensive services from company establishment, selection of business scope, to staff recruitment, ensuring that your company meets the relevant requirements for applying for an import and export license from the beginning.

Condition 2: Company Basic Information Compliance

To apply for an import and export license, your company needs not only to be legally registered but also to have successfully opened a basic RMB bank account in China.

The basic information of your company, including the registration capital and business scope, will be reviewed by the government, and you may not be able to get approval if that does not meet the requirements. For example, if your company’s business scope does not include “import and export of goods,” you may need to add this to your business items.

Condition 3: Qualified Personnel

International trade involves submitting various materials to multiple government departments, so your company needs qualified and experienced import and export professionals to handle related business. These staff members should be familiar with customs declaration procedures and understand the regulations for import and export management.

Special cases

Special Industries and Changes to the License

Additional materials for special industries

For example, for the import and export of hazardous chemicals, in addition to the general materials, it is necessary to provide the composition description, hazard characteristics specification, packaging description and proof materials that meet the relevant transportation and storage safety standards. If it is the import of medical devices, medical device registration certificates, conformity certificates, instruction manuals and other materials need to be prepared.

The corresponding additional materials are determined according to different special industries and their regulatory focuses.

Changing the contents of the license

After being approved by the original issuing department, the corresponding contents of the license will be changed and the license will be reissued.

Why Hongda

Why Choose Hongda for Import and Export Licensing?

Coordinate the license with the company, banking and tax work around it, with one China-based service team.

Since 2007

Serving foreign companies in China since 2007, with client relationships that go back to 2008.

One team, end to end

Company setup, banking, tax, payroll and work permits coordinated by one team.

In English, on the ground

English-language project management with a China-based team in seven locations.

Clear scope and limits

We confirm the scope before work begins and say which decisions rest with authorities or banks.

Trusted by companies including

Client voices

Clients who have stayed with us for years.

Travis Perkins

David Finch BA ACMA CMIIA CAMA

Director of Group Business Risk & Assurance, Travis Perkins PLC

With Hongda since 2008

Travis Perkins PLC (a leading builders merchant in the UK) has been using Hongda Business Services since 2008 for accounting and professional services. Throughout this time, we have found the team at Hongda to be very helpful and professional in their dealings with us. We look forward to working with the company in the future.

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Your team

The people you will work with.

Meet the three chief consultants at Hongda, including founder Angel Ho and co-founder Bobby Lee.

Angel Ho

Chief Consultant, CEO

Founder of Hongda in 2007. Holds Chinese Tax Agent, IPA (Australia) and IFA (UK) certificates. Provides one-stop services covering market access, company establishment, financial settlement, financial and tax consultation, and human resources management.

Bobby Lee

Chief Consultant

Co-founder of Hongda. Many years of corporate legal consultancy and involvement in managing client enterprises. Familiar with tax, personnel and project management work across Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau. Excellent English communication skills.

Strong Song

Chief Consultant

24 years in enterprise management, business development, and financial and tax compliance. Has provided financial and tax advisory services for hundreds of companies. In-depth learning and practical experience in IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards), Generally Accepted Auditing Standards and International Taxation.

Meet the full team

FAQ

Import and Export License FAQs

Practical answers about trade qualification and license changes.

Ask your question

What are the regulations on an enterprise’s import and export trade qualifications?

The separate foreign trade operator filing with the commerce authorities was abolished on 30 December 2022. An enterprise still needs customs registration and the other procedures that apply to its goods. Depending on different categories of goods, specific industry access qualification conditions may also need to be met. For example, enterprises engaged in the import and export of food need to comply with food-related hygiene and production qualification requirements.

Is it necessary to have certain import and export performance to apply?

In most cases, when applying for an import and export license for the first time, an enterprise is not required to have past import and export performance. However, for some specific controlled goods or goods subject to quota management, relevant departments may comprehensively consider the enterprise’s past business development in relevant fields, professional capabilities, etc. This is not an absolute and universal requirement. It still depends on specific commodity categories and corresponding management policies.

What additional materials need to be provided if the imported and exported goods involve special industries?

How to operate when changing the contents on the license?

If the items registered on the license, such as the enterprise name, legal representative, scope of imported and exported goods, and trading countries, change, the enterprise should apply to the original issuing department for change registration in a timely manner and submit the proof materials corresponding to the changed items. After being approved by the original issuing department, the corresponding contents of the license will be changed and the license will be reissued.

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China Import and Export License Application

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What Is an Import and Export License?

Import and Export Trade Qualification

Process for an Import/Export License Application