From December 31, 2022, enterprises engaged in import and export business will no longer need to go through the foreign trade operator registration procedures. For market entities applying for import and export licenses, technology import and export contract registration certificates, quotas, state-owned trade qualifications and other relevant certificates and qualifications, the relevant departments will no longer require them to provide foreign trade operator registration materials.
This is a major reform measure in the field of foreign trade management and an important institutional innovation for the Chinese government to firmly promote trade facilitation. It is conducive to further optimizing the business environment, releasing the growth potential of foreign trade, and promoting high-quality trade development and high-level opening up.
I. Adding items to business license
After the cancellation of the foreign trade operator registration form, if an enterprise engages in import and export trade, the business scope of its business license must still include “import and export of goods”, “import and export of technology”, “agent import and export” and other contents. If not, it should first go to the market supervision and administration bureau where the enterprise is registered to add items to the business scope of the business license so that the business scope includes “import and export of goods”, “import and export of technology”, “agent import and export” and other contents.
When registering a new enterprise, “import and export of goods”, “import and export of technology”, “agent import and export” and other contents and the business scope of related projects shall be directly added to the business scope.
II. English name and English address of the enterprise
In combination with the Chinese name of the enterprise, give the enterprise an English name, which can be transliterated or translated literally, and should be as easy to read and remember as possible, so as to facilitate communication. This English name of the enterprise will be used as the legal English name of the enterprise for conducting international business, and will often appear on the headings of contracts, invoices and other business-related documents, and will have the same legal effect as the Chinese name. At the same time, the company’s English communication address must be accurately translated.
III. Enterprise information filing method
(I) Handling method
Enterprises can apply for customs filing through the China International Trade “Single Window” (hereinafter referred to as the “Single Window”) Customs Enterprise General Qualification Module, or through the “Internet + Customs” to directly fill in the Chinese and English information of the relevant enterprise online, and upload the customs declaration unit filing information form with the official seal.
(II) Multiple certificates in one
When applying for a business license, if the enterprise has a customs filing requirement, it can apply for customs filing at the same time, and can be exempted from submitting attachments.
(III) On-site handling
Enterprises can also go through the filing procedures at the local customs, submit a paper customs declaration unit filing information form, and affix the official seal.
For the above filing methods, the customs will no longer verify the foreign trade operator filing registration form.
IV. Matters Needing Attention
Regardless of the method used to file with the customs, the filing information should be filled in truthfully, accurately and completely.
If an enterprise has a customs filing requirement, it must ensure that the contact information is unobstructed after submitting the filing application. The customs needs to verify the incomplete, inaccurate and other questionable information filled in by the enterprise.
V. Follow-up work
Enterprises engaged in import and export business no longer need to go through the filing and registration procedures for foreign trade operators, and the enterprises automatically obtain import and export rights. However, enterprises still need to go through customs registration, electronic ports, and foreign exchange bureau registration (for opening foreign exchange accounts) and other matters.
(1) If the enterprise fails to register with the customs, it will not be able to handle related import and export business and customs declaration business;
(2) If the enterprise fails to register with China Electronic Port and obtains the Electronic Port IC card (legal person card and operator card), it will not be able to log in to the China International Trade “Single Window” platform, China Electronic Port and other platforms to handle related business;
(3) If the enterprise fails to register with the State Administration of Foreign Exchange and is not included in the remittance list, it will not be able to handle international settlement business at the bank;
(4) If the enterprise fails to register with the Export Tax Rebate Section of the Taxation Department, it will not be able to handle export tax rebate business.